Welcome!
Glad you stopped by to visit our website. We hope you will find information easily. On the left banner you will find the latest blog post and below please follow the links to important information and details of the programs available from our office.
Upcoming Events:
District Spring Newsletter & Tree Sale Order Form
Online Tree Sale Shop
April 24-26, 2025
Click here for information about the species in the sale .
Board of Directors Happenings:
Special Election Notice for March 10, 2025 board member election.
District Board of Director Meeting Dates for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. These are public meetings and you are welcome to join us!
Approved General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Community members are also encouraged to join board meetings and become associate board members supporting progress in the Conservation District mission of protecting and restoring our shared natural resources.
Introducing Justin Hillsburg, New SESC Inspector for Cass County Conservation District –
I’m excited to join the Cass County Conservation District as the new Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) Inspector! This role allows me to actively contribute to protecting our local environment and promoting sustainable land use. I’ll be graduating from Western Michigan University in May 2025 with a dual major in Environmental Sustainability and Criminal Justice. My background in environmental science and regulatory policy has fueled my passion for ecosystem protection, particularly in preventing soil erosion and safeguarding waterways. I look forward to collaborating with landowners, community members, and stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and preserve the rich ecosystems that make Cass County special. Thank you for the warm welcome—I’m eager to help protect our natural resources for generations to come!
New Regenerative Agriculture brochure here.
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Home is where the Habitat is –
This year’s National Conservation District Poster contest theme – let us know if you would like help entering this contest.
SESC
With rain sadly brings erosion especially in the spring and summer. We try our best to inform and guide those working on projects near lakes and streams to take precautions for such rain events by placing silt fence, filter sock, erosion control blankets and other tools but, too often folks are simply not aware of this need and start without them. Unpermitted projects are also charged double the applicable permit fee which is upsetting to those unaware of the program. However, this permit process is very important as it allows reflection to the impact a project might have on the neighboring properties and shared water resources and plans erosion controls which can protect them. Besides the SESC permit there are other permits required for some projects such as work in the road right of way, seawall permits, and of course building permits. Our office has updated a Land Development poster which outlines all the various permits which may be needed for different projects – please take a peek and share with others so they will be prepared to start their project with proper permits, set-backs, and controls in place.
Recycling
Cass County has joined efforts with VanBuren & Berrien Counties to create a Materials Management Plan. If you are interested in their meetings or would like to help plan a special recycling collection please contact our office at 269-445-8641 x 5 or the Cass County Administration Office 269-445-4421.
Plat Book –
Order your 2025 Cass County Plat Book Today!
We were able to keep our book at the same rate from 2020, so only $32 each. See our tree sale order form to place your order. Books will not be available until late April or early May.
Hike w/a Naturalist Series – The Tuesday night Hike with a Naturalist events will restart soon!! The hikes always shed light on some aspect of our north eastern woodland, pond, or creek habitat. All hikes start at 5:30pm unless otherwise noted. This year’s hikes will be held on the 3rd Tuesdays at various locations around the County. All other Tuesdays will be a workday/general hike at Lawless Park. The work will include some maintenance of the monarch waystation, trail trimming and any other project(s) the Parks Department may request. We will then hike and share information regarding species etc. among those who are attending. Hope you can join us and share your knowledge too!
Vernal pond search begins in March! Listen for wood frogs and report public site locations to us so we can do some in-depth look at the location and begin vernal pond monitoring – text Korie at 269-845-8393.
Please be aware our office is co-located with NRCS and will follow all Federal USDA guidelines as they develop. Currently, our office has opened up for “in-person” activities. However, if that changes communications with the Cass County Conservation District can be made by emailing staff and or/leaving a message at 269-445-8641 x 5 with your name, phone number and email address if you prefer. Someone will be in the office each day and will direct your message to the proper staff who will get back with you as soon as possible. Some staff are working from home and in the field, there may be temporary delays to access to them but, we will try to ensure limited interruptions in our service to you.
The Cass County Conservation District is always looking for community support with events and programs. Please contact the district at 269-445-8641 x 5 for exciting volunteer and internship opportunities.
Korie Blyveis, Cass County SESC Administrator
Newsletters:
2025 Newsletter
2024 Newsletter
2022 Newsletter
2021 Newsletter
2020 Newsletter
Summer 2019 Newsletter
Autumn 2018 Newsletter
Fall 2017 Newsletter
Cost Share Program in Cass County
MAEAP
Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
MAEAP-verified farms keep their land, water and air as healthy as the food they produce. They represent the highest standards of environmental stewardship and responsible agriculture.
MAEAP is a three-phrase process: 1) Education, 2) Risk assessment & management changes, 3) State of Michigan verification.
Look for MAEAP signs throughout the County. For more information about MAEAP verification contact our office at 269-445-8641 x 5 – we currently do not have a MAEAP Technician but can assist in starting your verification process.
The SW x SW Corner CISMA is a grant funded program that covers Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties in Southwest Michigan. The CISMA works to preserve natural ecosystem functions through the responsible management of invasive species on a landscape scale. In order to achieve this, the primary focus of the project is mapping & surveying invasive species populations, education, and maintaining a strategic plan to properly manage and eradicate invasive species.
An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan’s economy, environment and human health. Species like poison ivy or Virginia creeper may not be our favorites, but they are native to Michigan, and play an important part in our environment!
Contact Alex Florian, Invasive Species Coordinator, to help with identification, reporting, and proper management by calling 269-633-9044 or emailing [email protected].
Our local volunteer, Bill Westrate and invasive specialist may also be available to answer your questions about invasive species and help identify plants and insects on your property. Call 269-445-8641 x 5 and ask to leave a message for Bill so, he can connect with you if you are stumped about some new species on your property.
Learn More about the CISMA and the Target Invasive Species
Next Steps…
Cass County Conservation District is funded by State & Local government grants/support, donations, program sponsorship, and product sales (plat books, trees and tree supplies). In order to better serve our community we need your support too.
Volunteers are an integral part of accomplishing the Conservation District goals. Assistance is needed at the office, with the invasive species program, stream monitoring projects, at special events, preparations for Tree Sale and more. Please consider donating some time to your local District. Call today to get on mail list and provide your contact information and areas of interest – we appreciate your concern for the environment and willingness to lend a hand.
