Ottawa Soil & Water Conservation

Line of Work:

Provides information, assistance, and programs to serve the community on land and water management.

First Year of Operation: 2002

Address:

16731 Ferris St Grand Haven MI, 49417

Additional Information:

The Ottawa Conservation District was founded in 1938 by several landowners concerned with soil degradation that resulted from years of negligent land management. Formerly the West Ottawa Soil Conservation District, this was the first Conservation District of its kind formally established by Michigan law. Upon formation, the District set forth goals to remediate soil erosion. These goals aimed to stabilize sand dunes through reforestation, convert poorly suited agriculture land to restored forests, and aid farmers in maintaining land at a productive level.
Today, the Ottawa Conservation District continues to meet foundational agriculture and forestry goals while also expanding services related to other forms of natural resources conservation.

The District provides information, assistance, and programs to serve the local community on land and water management. This support is made possible through financial backing from the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, and grants from the Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Environmental Quality, and Natural Resources as well as from the United States Forest Service and Environmental Protection Agency.

Founder Information

First Name	Last Name	Duties/Information	Year of Birth	Image
Hugh	Bennett		1850-1899

Storefront/Main Building

Additional Members/Employees

First Name	Last Name	Duties/Information
MEgan	Boos	Executive Director
Jessica	Crawford	Program Coordinator
Drew	Rayner	West Michigan CISMA Coordinator
Sara	Bronkema	MAEAP Technician
Ben	Jordan	Conservation Technician
Emma	Fojtik	HWA Crew Memeber
Ben	Savoie	District Forester

Number of Employees:

11-14

Alternate Company Names

Ottawa Conservation District

Advertisements, Paraphernalia, Promotional Items

MAEAP Farm Verification

Garlic Mustard Challenge Award 2017

Informational Booth

Additional Miscellaneous Images

Historic Collection: Maple syrup production in Crockery Township Spring 1945	Historic Collection: Meeting of West Ottawa District Directors: Hunter Hering, Clarence Reenders, William Sinderman, Edwin Schaefer, Albert Stegenga, and Frank Garbrecht October 20, 1944	Historic Collection: Jarvis Gage spreading sweet clover July 1945	Historic Collection: Flower nursery in Zeeland Township 1940s
Historic Collection: Ottawa Conservation District educational display July 1983