Conservation Fridays

Birds & Sanctuaries with Michigan Audubon's Chad Machinski

More Resource Links Below... Volunteer with Barry Conservation District at ⁠⁠⁠barrycd.org/give⁠⁠ [https://www.barrycd.org/give] Our guest in this episode is Chad Machinski, Conservation Manager at Michigan Audubon. Passionate and dedicated, Chad has been making significant strides in sanctuary stewardship and volunteer engagement since March 2023. With a strong background in botany and ecology, Chad's love for the natural world blossomed during his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Michigan. There, he honed his skills and knowledge about Michigan's diverse ecosystems through hands-on conservation work as a Nichols Arboretum Caretaker. An ISA Certified Arborist, Chad is skilled in plant identification, propagation, integrated pest management, and tree care. Whether he's binoculars in hand, studying birds, or flipping logs in search of reptiles, Chad's commitment to conservation is evident in every aspect of his life. His recent efforts include the revitalization of sanctuaries like Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary in Barry County and the monitoring of Chimney Swifts at the Barry County Courthouse, showcasing his dedication to protecting and understanding the intricate web of life in Michigan's natural habitats. We want to note that Michigan Audubon is a partner of Barry Conservation District. Resources mentioned in this episode: Michigan Audubon www.michiganaudubon.org Crossley Bird ID Guides https://crossleybooks.com Cornell Lab or Ornithology https://www.birds.cornell.edu Mathaei Botanical Gardens https://mbgna.umich.edu Otis Farm & Warner Sanctuary https://www.michiganaudubon.org/faq-items/otis-farm-bird-sanctuary/ Swift Night Out in Fri August 23rd https://www.michiganaudubon.org/calendar/swift-night-out-hastings/ Cerulean Warbler Tours in Spring https://www.michiganaudubon.org/go-birding/cerulean-warbler-tours/ If you’re passionate about protecting the environment and making a positive impact in your community, consider volunteering with your local Conservation District! By joining forces with your local conservation professionals, you'll support efforts in natural resource management that safeguard our communities. Whether it's tree wrapping, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, or educational outreach, there are countless ways to contribute to the preservation of our natural areas. Join our dedicated team of volunteers today and be part of the solution for a greener, healthier future! To volunteer with Barry Conservation District, sign up at ⁠⁠barrycd.org/give⁠⁠ [https://www.barrycd.org/give] More on Conservation Fridays at ⁠https://www.barrycd.org/conservation-fridays⁠ [https://www.barrycd.org/conservation-fridays]

Health & Community with Blue Zones' Catherine Getty

More Resource Links Below... Volunteer with Barry Conservation District at ⁠⁠barrycd.org/give⁠ [https://www.barrycd.org/give] Our guest today is Catherine Getty, a highly experienced and dedicated community leader with a strong background in natural resource development and land use planning. Currently Catherine is a Barry County Commissioner for District 2, which includes Middleville as well as parts of Thornapple and Yankee Springs Townships. In this capacity she serves on the committees of Broadband Expansion, Personnel and Human Services, the Board of Health, Middleville Local Development Finance Authority, Parks and Recreation, and Solid Waste Oversight.Catherine Getty is also Executive Director of Blue Zones Activate Barry County. And it’s this role that we’re especially interested in today. Catherine’s leadership exhibits a strong commitment to improving the health and well-being of Barry County residents. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep connection to the local community that make her a vital figure in promoting active and healthy lifestyles. May is Mental Health Month, and we’ve asked her here today to learn more about Blue Zones initiatives as they pertain to the outdoors, health, and wellness. And we should mention that Blue Zones is a sponsor of Outdoor Youth Day 24 – an event we organize – and a partner of Barry Conservation District. Resources mentioned in this episode: Blue Zones bluezones.com [https://www.bluezones.com] Activate Barry County bluezones.com/activate-barry-county/ [https://www.bluezones.com/activate-barry-county/] Activate Barry County Facebook facebook.com/BlueZonesActivateBarryCounty/ [https://www.facebook.com/BlueZonesActivateBarryCounty/] Modern Farmer article on Farm Stops https://modernfarmer.com/2024/05/is-the-farm-stop-revolution-upon-us/ [https://modernfarmer.com/2024/05/is-the-farm-stop-revolution-upon-us/] Ann Arbor's Argus Farm Stop https://www.argusfarmstop.com [https://www.argusfarmstop.com] If you’re passionate about protecting the environment and making a positive impact in your community, consider volunteering with your local Conservation District! By joining forces with your local conservation professionals, you'll support efforts in natural resource management that safeguard our communities. Whether it's tree wrapping, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, or educational outreach, there are countless ways to contribute to the preservation of our natural areas. Join our dedicated team of volunteers today and be part of the solution for a greener, healthier future! To volunteer with Barry Conservation District, sign up at ⁠barrycd.org/give⁠ [https://www.barrycd.org/give] More on Conservation Fridays at https://www.barrycd.org/conservation-fridays [https://www.barrycd.org/conservation-fridays]

Watersheds & Macroinvertebrates with LGROW's Matt Bain

More Resource Links Below... Volunteer with Barry Conservation District at ⁠barrycd.org/give [https://www.barrycd.org/give] Today, we are joined by LGROW's Matt Bain. Matt is an Aquatic Specialist at the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC), stationed in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With a deep-seated passion for aquatic ecosystems, Matthew has dedicated the past four years to studying and safeguarding the health of rivers and streams within the lower Grand River Organization of watersheds. He holds a Master of Science degree in Biology with a specialization in Aquatic Ecology from Grand Valley State University (GVSU), where his research focused on aquatic macroinvertebrate ecology and taxonomy.As an Aquatic Specialist, Matthew's primary role involves conducting macroinvertebrate sampling throughout the lower Grand River watershed. This sampling is critical for monitoring water quality, as different macroinvertebrate groups exhibit varying tolerances to pollution, providing valuable insights into the health of the river system. In addition to his fieldwork, Matthew is actively involved in education and community outreach efforts, collaborating on grant writing and sharing his expertise to raise awareness about the importance of preserving aquatic biodiversity. Resources mentioned in this episode: Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds https://www.lgrow.org [https://www.lgrow.org] Email Matt Bain at ⁠matt.bain@gvmc.org⁠ [matt.bain@gvmc.org] Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) https://micorps.net [https://micorps.net] If you’re passionate about protecting the environment and making a positive impact in your community, consider volunteering with your local Conservation District! By joining forces with your local conservation professionals, you'll support efforts in natural resource management that safeguard our communities. Whether it's tree wrapping, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, or educational outreach, there are countless ways to contribute to the preservation of our natural areas. Join our dedicated team of volunteers today and be part of the solution for a greener, healthier future! To volunteer with Barry Conservation District, sign up at barrycd.org/give [https://www.barrycd.org/give] More on Conservation Fridays at https://www.barrycd.org/conservation-fridays

Outdoors & Wellness with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers' Jameson Hibbs & Jeffery Peterson

More Resource Links Below... Volunteer with Barry Conservation District at ⁠barrycd.org/give Today, we are joined by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers' Jeffrey Petersen and Jameson Hibbs. Jameson is a Chapter Coordinator for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Throughout his life, he has developed a deep passion for a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities and conservation. He spent sixteen years as a county parks director with two different departments in Indiana where he learned the vital role that recreation and the outdoors attributes to both mental and physical wellbeing. Jeffrey is the board chair for the Michigan chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. He was born and raised in Shelby near the Silver Lake Sand Dunes and currently lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and two teenage boys. While Jeffrey has a long-time love for fly-fishing, fly-tying, and backpacking, he came to hunting as an adult out of a desire to eat locally and sustainably. As a pastor in his professional life, he values the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual renewal that public lands, waters, and wildlife provide for people regardless of what pursuits get them outdoors. In this episode we discuss outdoor recreation, hunting, fishing, and their benefits for mental health and physical wellness. Resources mentioned in this episode: BHA https://www.backcountryhunters.org BHA Podcast & Blast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backcountry-hunters-anglers-podcast-blast-with-hal/id1259582449 Meateater https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-meateater-podcast/id960902903 Hatchet https://www.amazon.com/dp/1416936475?nodl=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_bks_t2cna_apin_dp_72PJ59FZ78H782KZVZDY&starsLeft=1&dplnkId=ae94ee34-8ede-458b-a39a-08e7ba32577a My Side of the Mountain Where the Red Fern Grows https://www.amazon.com/dp/0440412676?nodl=1&cspi=0ce475a240509762ba67e6e3881c0055a12216dda09f8eca7a769db529c62e22a0ccf7249935ef23dbc46094d035c0fb5bc566befa411197c4fe8b6e11d9e226&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_bks_apin_dp_N2CSJ6TTC2JWB0RVGH8W&dplnkId=4d90399d-0286-4934-aa48-51b5f93790ec Raising a Wild Child: An Inside Perspective of a Neurodivergent Mind and How to Parent Those Who Cannot Be Parented https://www.amazon.com/dp/1805412663?nodl=1&cspi=b093cc02bf4a3d8ade99f06e85e852ed085a2e40124703af85967c03f483b11569d8a9ddf1b55c3915ac28514c5792ef9758f57fe778ec566230cee441edabd9&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_bks_apin_dp_6YRB67SEBKPEAKN5FWPJ&dplnkId=c5c0b729-831f-43d5-8815-4f7a4727b147 Catch a Crayfish, Count the Stars: Fun Projects, Skills, and Adventures for Outdoor Kids https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593448979?nodl=1&cspi=3b6339b034443d9347ab7e28f3ee4f040499c24b9899e23db2facba9a8212d0a284003f5172c0be938b32355b57381c71f4720f01208f786ab133f3cfd8fab41&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_bks_apin_dp_96XJ40Y2BV5H4KFNBSXJ_2&dplnkId=03823898-006c-459e-a94c-22b75084d302 Minimum Time Dose in Nature to Positively Impact the Mental Health of College-Aged Students, and How to Measure It: A Scoping Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6970969/ BHA R3 Initiative https://www.backcountryhunters.org/r3_the_why If you’re passionate about protecting the environment and making a positive impact in your community, consider volunteering with your local Conservation District! By joining forces with your local conservation professionals, you'll support efforts in natural resource management that safeguard our communities. Whether it's tree wrapping, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, or educational outreach, there are countless ways to contribute to the preservation of our natural areas. Join our dedicated team of volunteers today and be part of the solution for a greener, healthier future! To volunteer with Barry Conservation District, sign up at barrycd.org/give More on Conservation Fridays at https://www.barrycd.org/conservation-fridays

Wildflowers & Wildfires with Dan Zay of USDA NRCS

More Resource Links Below... Volunteer with Barry Conservation District at ⁠barrycd.org/give [https://www.barrycd.org/give] In this episode we are honored to welcome Dan Zay to our podcast. Dan is the State Resource Conservationist at the Michigan Natural Resources Conservation Service-USDA, based in Grand Ledge, Michigan. With over a decade of experience in environmental conservation and project management, Dan brings a wealth of expertise to our discussion. His role involves managing the Ecological Sciences Section within the Michigan NRCS, where he provides leadership for the largest Wetland Compliance program in the nation. Dan's work focuses on training and technology transfer to support sustainable agriculture and conservation efforts across Michigan. His extensive background includes serving as a State Biologist, where he played a pivotal role in coordinating biological aspects of NRCS conservation programs and wetland compliance under the Farm Bill. With a passion for preserving natural habitats and wildlife, Dan's contributions to environmental conservation are truly commendable. Join us as we delve into his experiences, insights, and vision for the future of conservation in Michigan. Resources mentioned in this episode: CRP https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/crp-conservation-reserve-program [https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/crp-conservation-reserve-program] Dr. Doug Tallamy's Nature's Best Hope https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Resources/Natures-Best-Hope [https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Resources/Natures-Best-Hope] Praire Strips https://www.kbs.msu.edu/2022/08/prairie-strips-frontiers-in-ecology/ [https://www.kbs.msu.edu/2022/08/prairie-strips-frontiers-in-ecology/] If you’re passionate about protecting the environment and making a positive impact in your community, consider volunteering with your local Conservation District! By joining forces with your local conservation professionals, you'll support efforts in natural resource management that safeguard our communities. Whether it's tree wrapping, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, or educational outreach, there are countless ways to contribute to the preservation of our natural areas. Join our dedicated team of volunteers today and be part of the solution for a greener, healthier future! To volunteer with Barry Conservation District, sign up at barrycd.org/give [https://www.barrycd.org/give] More on Conservation Fridays at https://www.barrycd.org/conservation-fridays [https://www.barrycd.org/conservation-fridays]