From recreation to restoration, you’ll find it in here.

www.natureiscalling.org | 231.941.0960 | 1450 Cass Rd. Traverse City, MI 49685

Grand Traverse Conservation District 2017 Annual Report2018 Annual Report

I want to express my thanks to the residents of Grand Traverse County for your enthusiastic support of the millage request made by Grand Traverse Conservation District in August 2018. Your response demonstrates your dedication to the ongoing conservation needs of Grand Traverse County. The millage funds will be used to ensure ongoing conservation, restoration, and stewardship of our natural world. We appreciate your commit-ment to help the Grand Traverse Conservation District continue the work it started in 1941 when the District was created to help ensure the integrity of our land and water. While none of us can do everything by ourselves, when we cooperate and unite our resources, we can resolve most any need. Thank you for enabling good work in conservation to continue.

I will be retiring in 2019. I want you to know how much I have enjoyed my work at the Grand Traverse Conser-vation District. Together, we have worked to inspire exploration, appreciation, and conservation of our natural world. Let us always continue this good work wherever we find ourselves. Caring for the Earth is everyone’s responsibility. I am sure we need this world in ways we do not even understand.

Let us continue in conservation,

Marsha Barber ClarkExecutive Director

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PARKLANDS

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP): The year 2018 was a success-ful one for the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program in Grand Traverse, Antrim, Benzie, and Leelanau counties. Over the course of the year, our region’s MAEAP technicians had a grand total of 210 farm visits and conducted 136 technical assistance risk assessments across their four-county area. Over $6,000 in cost-share money was distributed to growers in the area to assist in implementing on-farm conservation practices and projects such as secondary containment

facilities for fuel, pesticides, and fertilizers, replacing old fuel tanks, and water and soil testing, among other practices. The work they performed with agricultural producers over the course of the year led to 42 new MAEAP verifications and 40 MAEAP reverifications. The technicians attended several conferences and field days throughout the year and hosted Phase 1 Educational Sessions at some of those events, including the NWMI Orchard and Vineyard Show, the Wine and Grape Conference, the Agricultural Labor Meeting, and Healthy Farms Healthy Profits Soil Health Field Day. In collabora-tion with the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station, the technicians also led pertinent discussions and Phase 1 sessions at a couple of Integrated Pest Management meetings throughout the growing season. Additionally, they secured a grant through Michigan Farm Bureau to put on an educational field day in June for NWMI growers in partnership with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, USDA-NRCS, Northwest Michigan County Farm Bureau, and others. Be-cause last year’s recycling program was so effective, GTCD’s MAEAP technicians facilitated three agrichemical container recycling collection events for growers free of charge in 2018. Lizzy Freed, the MAEAP technician for Benzie and Leelanau counties, left her position in August to pursue her graduate degree in sustainable agriculture. We are pleased to announce that Parker Ameel started on October 15, 2018 as the new MAEAP Technician for these two counties. Parker Ameel and Lauren Silver (the technician for Grand Traverse and Antrim counties) are looking forward to a successful next year with continual improvements to the program’s implementation in their counties.

AGRICULTURE

From recreation to restoration, you’ll find it in here.

Our local parklands improve our physical and psychological well-being, strengthen our communities, and make our little piece of northern Michigan a more attractive place to live and work. The District’s Conservation Team had another busy and successful year tackling the recreational and environmental needs of 3000+ acres of parkland scattered throughout Grand Traverse County. Trails have been expanded and improved upon to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Habitat improvements stabilized our streambanks, kept our waters cool and clean, and provided countless additional wildlife benefits. Over the the last fiscal year, Parklands staff:

Collaborated with TC West Middle School students and Grand Traverse Stewardship Initiative teachers to develop and install educational signage at Garfield Township’s Kids Creek Park. Led multiple volunteer work bee events, including an Earth Day event at Garfield Township’s Miller Creek Nature Reserve to spruce up trails and plant native trees and shrubs along sensitive banks of Miller Creek. Planted 2,850 milkweed plants on Grand Traverse County’s Natural Education Reserve to improve habitat needs for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators. Constructed a critical connector trail linking Kids Creek Park to other local trail systems to improve regional trail connectivity. Improved upon established trail systems through infrastructure upgrades, construction of boardwalks, and further expansion of trail opportunities, including universal access based on ADA specifications. Implemented erosion control measures along trails throughout District managed parks to facilitate sustainability efforts. Conducted several guided hikes and kayak floats through the new section of the Boardman River at Brown Bridge as part of the Community Stewardship Series.

These efforts reflect only a small portion of the accomplishments achieved by the District’s Conservation Team during the 2017/2018 fiscal year. With planning efforts underway, we look forward to another great year to improve your local parkland experience. We ask for your feedback by email at trails@gtcd.org or by phone at 231-941-0960.

From recreation to restoration, you’ll find it in here.

EDUCATION

STEWARDSHIP

www.natureiscalling.org | 231.941.0960 | 1450 Cass Rd. Traverse City, MI 49685

STEWARDSHIP The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) had another successful year serving Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee counties. The projects completed, targeting terrestrial invasive species, were made possible by funding from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. EPA (both grants from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative), Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (through the Quality of Life departments MDNR, MDEQ, and MDARD). Donations and treatment cost-shares were extremely helpful as well – thank you!

The numbers truly speak for themselves as we review our accomplishments from the past year. A combination of on-the-ground treat-ments, public outreach, and volunteer work bees allowed for successful invasive species management and awareness, something we strive for daily within ISN as an organization. This year ISN has:

Surveyed nearly 1,000 acres of high-quality habitats for priority invasive species at over 400 sites. Restored over 30 acres with native plants. Treated over 700 acres of high-priority invasive species at nearly 400 sites. Contacted over 3,600 people in-person and over 488,000 using traditional and social media methods. Responded to Early Detection reports, including black swallow-wort populations in Kingsley (an invasive vine). Twenty-six sites and four acres were treated this year, very soon after the plant was initially identified. Beyond the above achievements, ISN’s Go Beyond Beauty program targeting invasive ornamentals has continued to flourish. Recent expansions have opened the program up to community members, and educational trainings and site visits are now being offered at a nominal fee to those who wish to participate at a higher level. More information can be found at www.habitatmatters.org/go-beyond-beauty.html. Notably, we added eight new participants this year, bringing our total number to 51 – all businesses and individuals have committed to not using or selling high-priority invasive species. As ISN begins to plan for 2019, we hope to continue successful programs and events such as our annual garlic mustard work bees, Japanese barberry trade-in days, and baby’s breath removal efforts on Elberta Beach. Stay tuned for details which will be coming soon to our website! The team at ISN looks forward to another year battling northwest Michigan’s invasive species with help from our fan-tastic partners – and you!

Jackson stands quiet at the trailhead as he looks up with tears in his eyes and says, “Why are there so many trees? I have never walked under so many trees.” After some discussion, he decides to walk along the path. Not 10 minutes later our educator hears, “This is so MAGICAL… and look there is water in the middle of the woods.” Friends, Jackson experienced a stream and walking in the woods for the first time on a field trip at the Boardman River Nature Center. The Boardman River Nature Center is working to ensure children like Jackson do not have to wait until age 11

to have their first outdoor educational experience. This year, we moved closer to this goal. The Nature Center hosted programs for a record number of participants. Here are some highlights from our year:

Over 700 preschoolers discovered their curiosity, empathy, and wonder of the natural world through our two nature-preschool pro-grams (for 3-5 year olds) offered during the week at the Boardman River Nature Center. Peepers (a 90-minute program where parents join in) is offered on Tuesdays and Knee-High Naturalist (a 3-hour drop-off program) is offered on Thursdays. Children explore, discover, observe, and experience the natural world using all their senses while developing an appreciation for nature.

Nearly 3,400 students were connected to the real world of natural resource conservation, environmental restoration, and steward-ship through our Nature Education for Students and Teachers (NEST), scout programming, birthday parties, stream-side classroom, and other student-focused programs at the Boardman River Nature Center.

Our State of Michigan Licensed Nature Day Camps have grown in many ways over the last three years. This year, we created more of a menu of options for parents and campers to choose from. As a result, we served 1,751 camper days this year. That is a 64% growth over 2017. Since receiving our State of Michigan Day Camp Licensing, we have seen a 382% growth! Your investment in our mission to promote inspiration, exploration, and conservation of our natural world made all this possible. Thank You!

www.natureiscalling.org | 231.941.0960 | 1450 Cass Rd. Traverse City, MI 49685

The Boardman River Program: This past year marked a historic event on the Boardman River with the re-moval of Sabin Dam, the third and final dam scheduled for removal as part of the largest dam removal effort in Michigan’s history. As stewards of the Boardman River and managers of the public parklands where the dam removals have taken place, the Conservation Team’s real work of restoring the bottomlands (see Parkland Re-port) and the new/relic river channel begins. Our focus isn’t only on the new exposed sections of river, but also throughout the rest of the Boardman River Watershed as well. These efforts include:

Restoration and Property Owner Assistance

Restoring six erosion sites within the Kids Creek watershed, a major tributary to the Boardman River in partnership with the Water-shed Center Grand Traverse Bay. This work includes the restoration of a 100’ section of eroding bank along Kids Creek at the Hand Surgery Center located at the corner of Front and Division and 150’ section along Front Street at Madison where Kids Creek was recon-nected to its floodplain increasing the floodplain capacity by 1/3. To complete restoration, 400 native trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers to stabilize the streambanks.

Worked with our Conservation Team, AmeriCorps crew on loan from Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, and a crew on loan from the GT Band to place 17 tons of rock rip-rap to restore a 50’ eroding bank at Grasshopper Bridge.

On several occasions, cleared downed trees blocking the river to allow for safe navigation. Prepared for and conducted an Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited work bee to repair a site that was restored last year on state land, but needed additional work downstream of the Forks State Forest Campground and canoe launch.

Consultation/Stewardship

Assisted Metro Fire Chief Pat Parker and emergency personnel during monitoring efforts after a truck hauling paint rolled over near a tributary to the Boardman River off Garfield Road.

Responded to three reports of alleged illegal activity along the river.

Coordinated and attended a second meeting with Boardman River property owners, Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited, The Watershed Center, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, and others to discuss issues related to the management of the watershed.

Met with Senator Wayne Schmidt, Garfield Township Supervisor Chuck Korn, and others regarding how to get the railroad more involved in the replacement of the perched culvert under the railroad on Miller Creek. GTCD staff helped arrange for a $200,000 EQIP grant through the Grand Traverse Band to assist with the replacement.

Presentations/Outreach

Led or participated in 21 presentations or outreach events including: Leadership Grand Traverse’s 2018 Class for Environmental Day; NMC’s Water Studies Institute class; Kiwanis; Rotary Friends of the Boardman; Grand Traverse Stewardship Initiative teachers; Adams Chapter Trout Unlimited; The Friendly Garden Club; Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy; Adams Fly Festival in Kingsley; GT County Township Association Meeting; FLOW Interns from University of Michigan; NMC Biology students; Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioner’s 119th Summer Conference re: dam removal; and Great Lakes Fishery Trust’s 20th Anniversary Celebration.

Forestry Assistance Program: The Forestry Assistance Program (FAP) has been more active in Grand Traverse County over the past year for several reasons: 74 office initial contacts 67 landowner site visits covering 2,073 acres 130 landowner follow-up contacts 26 regional media occurrences (newsprint, web, radio, tv) 20 landowner referrals to consultant and industry foresters covering 1,479 acres 33 regional outreach educational events reaching 1,126 area landowners

The FAP has also been busy protecting woodlots from infestations of insects and disease, keeping timber forests renewable, and assist-ing landowners in keeping their properties economically and environmentally sustainable through the Qualified Forest Program.

Kama Ross, District Forester, can help you make your forest work for you…On-site technical assistance is provided at no charge. Set up a visit this coming year by contacting Kama at kama.ross@macd.org or 231-256-9783.

STEWARDSHIP CONTINUED...

www.natureiscalling.org | 231.941.0960 | 1450 Cass Rd. Traverse City, MI 49685

The Boardman River Nature Center is operated almost exclusively by volunteer docents. During the past year, five dedicated docents have vol-unteered over 700 hours of service. These hours included running the welcome desk and assisting visitors, staff, and program participants.

Nearly a hundred different volunteers contributed over 495 volunteer hours to help restore vacated oil and gas well sites by planting native trees and shrubs and by constructing wildlife habitat features.

Over 15 volunteers assisted with GTCD's 2018 Native Plant Sale where over 5,000 plants found new homes.

During the 2018 Seedling Sale, 25 volunteers assisted with packing 11,545 native trees and shrubs for 159 orders.

The Traverse Area Paddle Club provided volunteers to help spruce-up the new canoe landing located just upstream of the new Cass Rd. bridge.

Earth Day was celebrated by a dozen volunteers that helped clear trails and plant trees and shrubs at the Miller Creek Nature Reserve.

The recently exposed bottomlands of (former) Boardman Pond were greeted by 37 volunteers who came out to help revegetate the banks of the Boardman River.

The Children’s House Montessori conducted vegetation monitoring along transects established at Brown Bridge Quiet Area.

TART and GT Hiking Club volunteers constructed a boardwalk and a footbridge to connect the Boardman River Trail along the County’s Natural Education Reserve.

Trail stewards clocked over 100 hours in reconnaissance and upkeep of trails throughout the District's managed parks.

The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) coordinated 19 work bees and 46 other events – within these events, ISN engaged nearly 80 volunteers equaling more than 170 volunteer hours.

The Boardman River Clean Sweep facilitated clean-up efforts throughout the watershed, including at Garfield Township’s Boardman Valley Nature Preserve, River East Recreation Area, Kids Creek Park, and the Commons Natural Area.

The Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited assisted in river clean-up efforts and on the stabilization of eroded banks along the Boardman River.

The Master Gardener Association of Northwest Michigan volunteered over 100 hours in maintaining and diversifying the native gardens at the Boardman River Nature Center.

Advisory Committee members serving for the City’s Brown Bridge Quiet Area, the County’s NER, and the Recreational Authority’s Hickory Meadows represented the community ‘at large’ through dedicated volunteer time at regular meetings. Members offer formalized recommendations of best management practices to municipal staff and boards.

A HUGE Thank You to Our Volunteers!

From recreation to restoration, you’ll find it in here.

www.natureiscalling.org | 231.941.0960 | 1450 Cass Rd. Traverse City, MI 49685

If you made a donation and you are not listed here, or if your name is misspelled, we apologize & ask that you please contact us so that we may correct our records: 231.941.0960.If you made a donation and you are not listed here, or if your name is misspelled, we

Thank You DonorsCharlene Abernethy & Michael GillPeter & Bernadette AlbersAnonymousThe Art and Mary Schmuckal Family FoundationAugust A. Busch III Charitable TrustRichard & Patricia AustinNancy BaglanLaura BealBear Lake Garden ClubMack & Lorraine BeersBetsie CurrentNancy Birnie-VisscherBrian BloodMarty & Richard BrauerMary BrownKaitlyn BurnsHarvey & Kathy Calcutt Bob CarstensBill & Sandy CartwrightTerry & Jody ClarkSara CockrellErik CookKevin & Kelly DillanKristin DockterGreg DoornbosPaula & Bryce DreeszenHarry & Sara EickJim ElkinsKenneth & Janet EngleGregory & Nancy FazzoniLynn Fellows-LyonJulie FernandezFischer Insurance Agency, IncRobert & Marlene FlanneryDr. Robert & Sandra FooteRichard & Susan FordMarge ForgioneThe Friendly Garden Club of Traverse CitySteve FritzJoel & Lucille GaffJanet Garvey & Jack MaddoxDouglas & Shirley GembisMichael GillmanGlen Lake Garden ClubDebbie GraffiusJeff GraftGrand Traverse Audubon Club

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa IndiansGrand Traverse Organic LandscapesGrand Traverse Regional Community FoundationCarole GrovesKatie GrzesiakGTB-Economic Development Corporation Drs. Robert Hall & Cynthia GlinesCaroline HamHarvey's FoundationJamie HeimLynise HenselJames & Virginia HoffaJim HopfenspergerMichael & Josephine HorowitzMichael & Marsha HowardJohn HunterMark & Deb JacksonBrian & Jennifer JaffeLeena JandaliScott & Karen JohnsonPatrick & Mary KellyMera Jetton KohlerRichard Kosinski & Deborah OchsRebecca HemmingwayKaren KuehlhornJim KureDick & Jody LaBarreDavid & Jane LawrenceDavid LernerMark & Lori LeugersTracey Lev-AryBrian & Diane LironesDiane & Fred LuceroGlen & Tracie MacPhersonMark Maddox & Sarah SuttonDaniel & Lillian MahaneyHomer Nye & Rebecca Mang NyeKen & Priscilla MarekJody MarquisLeon & Shirley MartuchDavid MathewsLee MathewsonJohn & Molly McCombsLarry & Margaret McCormickAlice & Cecil McNallyMary Beth & Hugh MorrisonDave Murphy

John Nitschke Kathleen Norman & Keith AndersonNorthwestern Michigan College/ Tammy ColemanMickie NovorolskyThe Oleson FoundationOryana Natural FoodsOtwell Mawby Geotechnical, P.C.Periwinkle Garden ClubMary "Monnie" PetersPortage Lake Garden ClubMary RathgaberRanch Rudolf Judy ReichJim RobinsonMichael & Barbara RodenbergAnn RogersRollin M. Gerstacker FoundationRotary Camps & Services of Traverse CityGrace RuddJohn & Peg SargentGary Schilkey & Lisa RaymoArt & Karen Schwarm Sharon ScrantonAnita SilvermanDr. Ann & Dr. Mark SmithKenneth SnodgrassTara SperryLeo & Linda StallmanStardust Memorials, LLCRoy Strait & Nancy Schumacher-StraitWilliam & Mary SwiftCarl & Eleanor TackeHerman & Laurie ThomasThompson Surgical Instruments, Inc.Timberlee Property Owners Inc.Tyson Foods - Dario PrimoSteve & Amy TongueTom's Food MarketsPaul & Nancy TousleyJocelyn TrepteSkye WestonKimberly & Brent WilsonLou Wojtowicz & Donna SowersJohn & Janet WyrwasJohn & Marylou Zaloudek

If you made a donation and you are not listed here, or if your name is misspelled, we apologize & ask that you please contact us so that we may correct our records: 231.941.0960.

Thank You Donors

Federal & State Grants 700,991 54% Conservation & Education Services 358,860 28% Contributions & Donations 167,136 13% Contributions from Local Units* 27,500 2% Native Seedling & Plant Sales 27,413 2% Interest, Rentals & Other Sales 6,772 0.5% Total $1,288,672

Your Dollars At Work

*Less than 3% of income comes from local government. The rest is raised from grants, providing services & programs, a yearly native seedling and plant sale, and tax-deductible contributions.

Income:

Expenses:District Operations 128,608 11%Invasive Species (Federal/State Grants) 398,850 34% MAEAP/Food Safety (State Grant) 180,321 15%Conservation & Education 452,682 38%Seedling/Plant Sales 19,051 2%Total $1,179,512 Contribution to Fund Balance $109,160

In Kind DonationsBackcountry North - Cory SmithDon CloverPaula ColomboBoardman River Clean Sweep & Norm FredGarden GoodsJuli & John GillKen GregoryRanch RudolfGourdie-Fraser, Inc.David MerrellJackilynn MillardEd MoehleGrand Traverse Stewardship Initiative Jack Robbins - Robbins Farm MarketTraverse Area Paddle ClubJill Yaple & Chris Hoos

In Honor of...Harvey & Kathy Calcutt - Harvey's Foundation in Honor of the Parkland Staff Len & Karen Franseen in Honor of Steve LargentBob & Laura Otwell in Honor of Steve LargentMarti VanEenenaam-Iwanicki & Tom Iwanicki in Honor of Maeve Carew's First Birthday

A special thanks to our Board Members:

Andy BlodgettJan Engle

Douglas LeonhardtEd Moehle

Dario PrimoThomas Wertz

In Memory of...Kristen Ardery in Memory of Nancy FerrarSandra & Max Bromley in Memory of Captain Edward K. Rokos of the Traverse City Police Department (1947-1964)Sara Cockrell in Memory of Sarah Horton Cockrell, Dallas Bridge Builder.Michael & Carolyn Collins in Memory of Nancy FerrarSteve & Sharon Largent in Memory of Bob RuddMargaret Lomasney in Memory of Karen M. Walker - Loved by allJack & Carol Olson in Memory of Dan OlsonWilliam C. Scharf in Memory of Dr. John Spencer & Robert RuddWildlife & Wetland Solutions in Memory of Mike KandelMark & Kathy Spencer in Memory of Steven Scott Spencer

If you made a donation and you are not listed here, or if your name is misspelled, we

Thank You Donors

Donate Today Why do you love the Grand Traverse region? Is it for the sweeping views of orchards in full bloom? The thrill of the catch in the Boardman River? A stroll through undisturbed woodlands? The chance to enrich the life of a child through hands-on-learning in one of the most beautiful places in the world? Whatever draws you in to our great region, chances are that the Grand Traverse Conservation District has had a hand in shaping the places and experiences that matter most to you.

The challenges facing our community continue to grow, but we promise to be here, by your side, working tire-lessly to enhance and safeguard the natural areas that fill our hearts and shape our dreams. Join us in this noble effort in any way you can give. Your support will never go unnoticed and your dollars will never be wasted.

Donate by calling 231.941.0960 or visit us online at: www.natureiscalling.org/support/donate/

1450 Cass RoadTraverse City, MI 49685