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MACD's Education Newsletter - March 2025

Rivka Hodgkinson Tag

Hello friends! You made it through the darkest weeks of the year. As spring approaches, your MACD Education Committee is excited to share featured programs, what fellow educators are doing, and helpful resources to plan spring programming and collaborations. Consider wildflower hikes (public parks & trails work great), creative community events, and social campaigns to boost Seedling Sales and awareness of district work. Send ideas for the next issue—thank you!

In this issue

  • Program Spotlight

  • Funding Opportunities

  • Cool Things (resources)

  • Educator & District Highlights

  • Featured Activity

  • Announcements & Reminders

  • Sign-up & Contacts (Issue #3 — Education Committee, Quarterly Newsletter).

Program Spotlight: Mecosta & Osceola-Lake Conservation Districts

Farm Planning Field Day Workshop drew about 40 participants (producers and educators from 17 counties). Attendees shared experiences, asked questions, and saw practices in place for farm establishment.

Featured Speakers / Topics

  • Emergency Planning for the Farm

  • Animal Health Checks & Behavior

  • Cost of Production & Enterprise Budgeting for New Farm Decision Makers

  • Carbon Credits & Markets

Winter pasture walk at Mitchell Cat Creek Farms showcased out-wintering cattle on pasture, winter livestock water systems, and feeding methods. Great work, Mecosta & Osceola-Lake CDs!

Funding Opportunities

  • Great Lakes Protection Fund: Funds innovative projects that produce tangible improvements in Great Lakes ecosystem health and the eco-economic interdependence. glpf.org

  • Michigan Nature Association — Field Trip Grants: Helps teachers connect students to natural areas; supports transportation and equipment costs. michigannature.org

  • MAEOE Spring Grants: Environmental Education grants to formal & non-formal educators (up to $1,000 per project). Windows: Feb 1–Mar 15 and Sep 1–Oct 15. maeoe.com/grants

Resources to Explore

  • Conservation Reading List (NACD): Books on trees & forestry, soil, water, farming & ranching, habitats & wildlife, and more. NACD Pack-A-Book
  • Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE): PD for nature-based educators across settings (preschools, forest kindergartens, in-home childcare, elementary, etc.). Learn more
  • 100 Things To Do Before You’re 12: Outdoor adventure checklist for kids, plus 20 Ideas for 20 Minutes Outside. The List • 20 Ideas
  • West MI Environmental Education Equipment Rental: Borrow equipment to power up your EE programs. WMEAC Rental Form
  • NACD Conservation Education Hub: Curriculum, activities, and resources for districts and educators. Education Hub

Featured Activity: EnviroScape® Watershed Model

Teach watershed science through hands-on modeling. Students identify parts of a watershed, understand stormwater runoff, and connect how pollutants enter waterways. EnviroScape® offers portable models and mini paint-your-own kits.

enviroscapes.com • Large-scale models may be borrowed from an EGLE District Office “Lending Station”.

Spotlight on People: Kathryn Borowicz

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Manistee Conservation District Kathryn joined MCD in 2023 and leads Environmental Education with a focus on K–12 programming. She holds a Michigan teaching certificate, delivers both in-school and out-of-school programs for youth up to age 18, and recently joined the MACD Education Committee. Keep up the great work, Kathryn!

Key Dates — March • April • May 2025

March

  • Mar 1 — National Self-Injury Awareness Day

  • Mar 9 — Daylight Saving Time Starts

  • Mar 12 — National Plant a Flower Day

  • Mar 17 — St. Patrick’s Day

  • Mar 22 — Grand Traverse CD Spring Market

April

  • Apr 1 — April Fool’s Day

  • Apr 3 — National Find a Rainbow Day

  • Apr 10 — National Farm Animals Day

  • Apr 15 — Tax Day

  • Apr 20 — Easter Sunday

  • Apr 22 — Earth Day!

May

  • May 1 — May Day

  • May 5 — Cinco de Mayo

  • May 11 — Mother’s Day

  • May 15 — National Bring Flowers to Someone Day

  • May 26 — Memorial Day

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Thank you for reading — and thank you for all you do to connect Michigan communities with conservation.

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