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MACD Education Newsletter - January 2025

Rivka Hodgkinson Tag

It's the first edition of MACD's Education Newsletter in 2025 and we're excited to share with you the latest conservation news! 

In This Issue

• Program Spotlight

• Funding Opportunities

• Educator Highlights

• Featured Activity

• Announcements & Reminders (Issue #2 — Education Committee)

Program Spotlight (Benzie Conservation District)

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  • Meet Future Conservationists: Benzie CD met with future conservationists from the Class of 2025 on November 4, 2024, at the Benzie County Career Expo. Representing their booth were Jodi Monteith (Conservation Technician) and Jessica Barnard (Communications & Administrative Coordinator).

  • Watershed Wednesdays: Benzie partnered with Dr. Jordyn Stoll from Michigan Trout Unlimited to sample for didymo (“rock snot”). After microscope review, Dr. Stoll confirmed there is no didymo in the Platte or Betsie Rivers. Benzie CD shared the results on social media and emphasized that these rivers are environments where didymo could thrive — so everyone should be extra careful about prevention.

Funding Opportunities

  • Wildflower Association of Michigan: $1,250 grants for native plant gardens, restoration projects, signage, and more. wildflowersmich.org
  • Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation: Supports holistic environmental curricula integrating ecological principles and field activities (primary/secondary settings). mgaef.org/grants.html

 

Featured Activity

Great for outreach to recycling clubs: students use old newspapers and masking tape to construct a moon habitat they can actually sit inside. Emphasizes STEM engineering and re-use; best for grades 5–12. Compare habitats on the Moon with habitats for Earth creatures.

Announcements & Reminders (Jan–Mar 2025)

  • January: MLK Jr. Day (20th), National Hugging Day (21st), Lunar New Year (29th), Inspire Your Heart with Art Day (30th).

  • February: Groundhog Day (2nd), Super Bowl/National Pizza Day (9th), Valentine’s Day (14th), Presidents’ Day (17th), National Retro Day (27th).

  • March: World Compliment Day (1st), International Women's Day (8th), Daylight Saving Time begins (10th), Pi Day (14th), St. Patrick's Day (17th), First Day of Spring (19th), National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day (29th), Easter Sunday (30th).

  • Michigan Deer Hunting Seasons: Archery (through Jan 1), Extended Archery (through Jan 31 in select counties), Late Antlerless Firearm (Dec 16–Jan 1), New Extended Late Antlerless (Jan 2–12).

Contact & Submission Info

  • Send education news, stories, or funding updates to:

    • Rachel Straughen: rstraughen@gtcd.org

    • Erin Horton: erin.horton@macd.org

Thank you for reading — and thank you to all Michigan Conservation District employees and partners for your work in 2024 and the year ahead. We challenge you to partner with another district on a program, event, or shared opportunity. Keep sharing content ideas, grant suggestions, and kudos!

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