Our Mission

Our mission is to protect and enhance Cass County’s natural resources by providing educational and technical services to all landowners.

Meet the Team

All our Employees & Board Members have a love for conservation & it shows in their daily efforts.  If you see us out in the community please feel free to share your ideas to improve Cass County’s natural resources.

Korie Blyveis – District Administrator

Started February 29, 2016 at 16 hours per week.  Korie had tried to be full-time SESC Administrator but is back serving the role of Administrator with 50% of her time dedicated to SESC permitting. She is   certified by the State of Michigan to perform duties under the SESC Comprehensive classification (inspector/administrator) and is a certified Wetland delineator.

Korie is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a BA in Environmental Studies and Communications.

She is an 27 year resident of Cass County, prior Newberg Township Clerk and St. Joseph County MSU Extension Resource Recovery Agent.

Vacant – MAEAP Technician

Tracy Wesaw – SESC Administrator

Started March 12, 2024.

Pat Boyle – SESC Assistant/Inspector

Started February 12, 2020.

The District is the Michigan Part 91 Enforcing Agency for Cass County. Pat completed DEQ training on March 11, 2020 to be certified as a Stormwater Management Operator. He conducts Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control inspections for the County and assists with other District activities as needed.

Brenda Mitchell – Regenerative Agriculture Technician

Kay Preston – Administrative Assistant

District Board of Directors

A Conservation District Board consists of five (5) elected directors who serve four (4) year terms.  The District election is nonpartisan and the directors are elected by the residents of the district at large.

Burne Miller
Chairman

Liaison Duties:  Human Resources, Recycling, & SESC

Karen Nelson
Vice Chairman

Liaison Duties:  CISMA, Human Resources, & Reforestation/Wildlife/Habitat

Alex Bozymowski
Treasurer

Liaison Duties: MAEAP

Veronnica Kenreich
Secretary

Liaison Duties: Public Relations & Water Quality

Jim Kings
Board member

Liaison Duties: Recycling & Water Quality

Associate Directors

Dallas Chester

Liaison Duties:  SESC, Water Quality, & Reforestation/Wildlife/Habitat

Cass County Board Liaison:

Key Volunteers-habitat/educational outreach:
Bill Westrate, Jennifer Miller, Jeff Blyveis, & Kay Preston

• Financial Committee: Administrator, Treasurer & Jennifer Miller
  
• Policy Committee: Administrator, Karen Nelson, MEC representative Kerri Wade, & Bernie Williamson
• Habitat for Birds: Korie Blyveis, Alex Bozymowski, Wendy Elsey, & Karen Nelson
• Hiring: HR representative, Jack Knorek-MDARD, Bernie Williamson, & County representative
• Jones Conservation Area Public Access Improvement/Development – Korie Blyveis, Pat Boyle, Alex Bozymowski, Jim Kings, & Scott Wyman
• Tree & Plant Sales – Karen Nelson, Jennifer Miller, Angie Edge, & Bill Westrate