Ottawa Conservation District |
Ottawa County’s Local ResourceManagement Agency |
Ottawa Conservation District Office16731 Ferris Street Grand Haven, MI 49417
616-846-8770, Ext. 5 or 616-842-5869 Fax: 616-842-2820 |
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Forestry Assistance Program |
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The Forestry Assistance Program (FAP) is funded by the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Assistance Grant and by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This grant was awarded to the Ottawa and Allegan Conservation Districts and offers information, educational programs, technical assistance, and referrals to all residents, community groups and government agencies within Ottawa and Allegan Counties.
Resource Management Assistance
The Forestry Assistance Program provides technical assistance and advice on managing small or larger tracts of land for forestry goals.
Assistance available: Advice and referrals for timber marketing and sales Timber stand improvement Tree and shrub planting recommendations Buffer strip planning Windbreak planning and management Wildlife habitat planning and enhancement Wetland restoration assistance Prairie and grassland planting assistance Incorporating forestry and wildlife into farm/recreation lands
Urban and Suburban Resources
Urban and suburban residents with concerns about individual trees or small lots can also use the Forestry Assistance Program.
Assistance includes: Tree insect and disease diagnosis Tree care advice and referrals Backyard wildlife habitat assistance Plant selection, planting and transplanting instructions Hazard tree evaluation guidelines Street and park tree concerns Recommendations for special features gardens to attract wildlife Information on using native plants
Education and Information
One important part of the Forestry Assistance Program is providing education and information to people of all ages in the service area.
Provided through: Informational handouts and telephone consultations Site visits with residents, community groups and government units Presentations to classrooms and adult groups Outdoor classroom assistance Workshops, tours and demonstrations Partnerships with other natural resources organizations Newsletters and news articles Earth Day and Arbor Day programs |
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Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
DON’T MOVE FIREWOOD!
Something Michigan campers need to always keep in mind is the current restrictions on the movement of firewood. There is a statewide quarantine banning the movement of untreated deciduous firewood out of 49 quarantined areas in the Lower Peninsula. Additionally, no untreated deciduous firewood may be moved from any part of the Lower Peninsula into the Upper Peninsula, neighboring states or across the St. Clair River. Violations of this quarantine are subject to penalties.
This quarantine was imposed in an attempt to reduce the spread of the exotic emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB, native to Asia, was first discovered in southeast Michigan in the summer of 2002. Since then, approximately 15 million ash trees have been damaged or killed in Michigan. Many federal, state and local agencies have been working cooperatively to understand the nature of EAB, identify where it has spread, research control options, and try to stop its spread.
One important way that EAB has spread unnaturally is through human movement of firewood. According the Michigan Department of Agriculture, nearly all of the infestations outside of the core infestation in southeast Michigan have been traced to the movement of firewood. Many other woodland pests can also be spread to new areas by hitching a ride on firewood. This includes exotic pests like gypsy moth, beech bark disease, hemlock woolly adelgid, Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt, and others. Because of this and to ensure compliance with the quarantine, it is best to not transport any firewood around, into and out of Michigan.
When you go camping, buy firewood locally; do not bring it from home. Use all of the wood you buy; do not leave any behind unburned. If you have already transported firewood from another area, burn it immediately; do not dump it, leave it or take it home. By promoting awareness of EAB and how it can be transported in firewood, we can all do our part to help prevent the spread of this exotic pest to uninfested areas.
For more information about EAB and the quarantine, visit: http://www.emeraldashborer.info or contact Kelly at: Ottawa Conservation District, 16731 Ferris St, Grand Haven MI 49417 Phone: (616) 846-8770 x5 Allegan Conservation District, 1668 Lincoln Rd, Allegan MI 49010 Phone: (269) 673-8965 x3 |
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National Ash Tree Seed Collection Initiative
A nationwide effort to collect ash seeds was initiated by the Rose Lake Plant Materials Center in the spring of 2005 in response to the threat posed by the emerald ash borer. This initiative began with the hopes of preserving Michigan native ash species, should the worst case scenario happen and we lose all of our ash trees to the borer, which has already killed millions of ash trees. An agreement for long-term storage of the ash seeds was made with the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Plant Materials Center is currently seeking volunteers to help with this collection effort.
Last year, ash seed production was low and only about 20 samples were collected in Michigan. This year is shaping up to be an excellent seed production year, partly in response to the drought suffered last year. If you are interested in helping collect ash seeds, contact the Ottawa or Allegan Conservation District for more information. You can also visit the Plant Materials Center’s ash seed collection website at www.ashseed.org |