See what’s happening this month at the Grand Traverse Conservation District!

Saturday, June 2, 12 p.m.- 3 p.m.
Adopt-A-Stream Workshop
Recommended for adults and teens// Boardman River Nature Center
Join the Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay at the Boardman River Nature Center for this fun and informative session about stream water quality!  Learn how to determine the health of a stream by the types of aquatic insects that live in the streambed, then hike to Jack’s Creek for hands-on experience in sampling and identification. $5 suggested donation.

Every Tuesday in June from 5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Yoga Hikes at the Commons Natural Area
Ages 13 + welcome // $10 per person // Meet at Garfield trailhead across from TBA-ISD Building
Get outside and unwind after a long day, with a yoga hike at one of our beautiful parklands! Join Amy Hubbell, Certified Yoga Teacher, as she leads students of all levels through a progressive yoga practice that will wind along some of the most serene trails of the Commons Natural Area. Once part of the grounds of the former state mental hospital, this quiet area is a tranquil and healing place that provides the perfect setting for outdoor yoga. Stopping every so often for a scenery-savoring yoga sequence, this combination nature hike and yoga practice will help you increase flexibility and build strength while creating a greater connection with your true nature as well as the nature that surrounds you. Wear shoes & loose clothing, as we will be hiking between poses- no yoga mat required! This program will be held every Tuesday in June.

Saturday, June 9^th, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Invasive Species Removal Work Bee at Brown Bridge Quiet Area
Recommended for adults and teens
Join us as we remove bull thistle, European swamp thistle, and other invasive plants found on the bottomlands of Brown Bridge Pond.  Learn to identify and control invasive plants while learning about restoration plans during the dam removal process.  Learn proper ID, control techniques, and a few tricks of the trade.  Please RSVP to Matthew at mbertrand@gtcd.org or by calling 941-0960.

Saturday, June 9th, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mike Moats Macro Photography Workshop
Recommended for Teens and Adults // Boardman River Nature Center

Join award-winning nature photographer Mike Moats for a special one day macro photography classroom and field workshop held at the Boardman River Nature Center and Natural Education Reserve. The first three hours will be in the Nature Center as Mike gives a presentation covering macro photography techniques, including depth of field, controlling the light, and composing subjects properly. In the afternoon, participants will head out to the Natural Education Reserve to apply what they learned – Mike will be on hand to offer assistance and advice. Cost is only $40 and space is limited to 40 participants. Please call John Gessner at 231.941.0960 ex17 to register. Payment is required to reserve a place in the class.

Saturday, June 16^th, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Invasive Species Removal Work Bee at the Natural Education Reserve
Recommended for adults and teens
Join us as we hand pull invasive plants on the bottomlands of Boardman Pond.  Learn to identify and control numerous invasive plants while learning about restoration plans during the dam removal process. Please RSVP to Matthew at mbertrand@gtcd.org or by calling 941-0960

Tuesday, June 19^th, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Plant Rescue at Brown Bridge Quiet Area
Recommended for adults and teens
Join us as we dig up native plants from the bottomlands in areas that will be impacted by heavy equipment during the river channel restoration and dam removal process later this summer.  Plants will be potted and saved for future plantings after construction work is complete.  You’ll learn to identify many species that have been in the seed bank for decades while also having a hands on impact in the future of this high quality riparian area.  Space is limited.  Please RSVP to Matthew at mbertrand@gtcd.org or by calling 941-0960.

Saturday, June 23, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Boardman River Nature Fest
FREE fun for the whole family!
Join us for an exciting day filled to the brim with fun and educational activities for the whole family! Join the Grand Traverse Conservation District education team under the pavilion and in the Toddler Tent for fun crafts and activities, stop by our partners’ booths to learn what they have going on, and get here early to reserve a good spot to watch Rebecca Lessard and her Wings of Wonder ambassador raptors. Still looking for more to do? Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat and gather the family for a guided hike through the Natural Education Reserve.

Stay tuned – more details to be revealed!

Wednesday, June 27, 4:30 p.m.- 7 p.m.
Boardman River Prosperity Plan
Adults and Teens // Boardman River Nature Center

The Boardman River Prosperity Team welcomes all interested community members to join us at the Boardman River Nature Center to learn about the Boardman River Prosperity Plan.  This first-of-its-kind watershed plan seeks to explore the economic, cultural and ecological importance of the Boardman River Watershed and in doing so put forth a plan that will guide its long term prosperity.  Please join us on Wednesday June 27th from 4:30 to 7:00 and contribute your voice to this ongoing discussion that reaches far beyond the Dam Removal process and attempts to envision the future of this critical watershed.

See what’s planned this month at the Grand Traverse Conservation District!

Plant Heritage Week
From May 5th to May 13th, get outside and get exploring with Plant Heritage Week! There are more than 30 events over the course of nine days aimed at fun, education, and dirt-under-your-nails experiences. We’ll discuss the importance of plants to our local environment and economy with the help of more than 20 regional partners across the five-county region. There will be programs that everyone can get excited about – from guided wildflower and birding hikes to tall ship sailing and a morel/leek hunt, and much more!

CLICK HERE for a complete schedule.

Tuesday, May 15, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Lawns to Life: Designing Native Plant Landscapes for Non-Gardeners
Recommended for adults // Boardman River Nature Center
Learn how to convert that vast, unbroken expanse of lawn into a series of beautiful, functional, low-maintenance landscaped areas with this introduction to site analysis.  You’ll come away with broader awareness that will help you evaluate your home’s natural resources, topography, and use patterns, as well as a wealth of new ideas for your home.  Discover how you can harness these elements to create something unique — a landscape of these lands, by and for you and your family to enjoy together.  Instructor: Matthew Bertrand

Tuesday, May 15, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Patagonia Adventures by Boat, Boot &  Raft with the GT Hiking Club
Recommended for adults // Boardman River Nature Center
Come join the Grand Traverse Hiking Club as they travel by slideshow to Patagonia for Sara Cockrell’s most recent multi-sport adventures, including cruising, hiking, and white water rafting her way to and through Patagonia. $5 suggested donation.

Saturday, May 19, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. & Sunday, May 20, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Native Plant Sale
Boardman River Nature Center
Join us this May for our annual Native Plant Sale! Keep your yard native with over 30 species of wildflowers, ferns, groundcovers, vines, and grasses! Species include Wild columbine, wild lupine, mountain mint, purple prairie clover, Jack-in-the-Pulpit and more! Over 30 native species including threatened, endangered and rescued species. Click here for the 2012 species and price list.

Tuesday, May 22, 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Thistles Alive Work Bee @ Brown Bridge Quiet Area
Recommended for adults; teens welcome with supervision // Brown Bridge Quiet Area
Last season volunteers and work crews scoured the Brown Bridge Quiet Area for a variety of invasive plants in anticipation of the September draw down of Brown Bridge Pond.  Removing invasive plants allows native vegetation to better colonize the exposed bottomlands, which helps Brown Bridge remain high quality habitat for wildlife. Join us to explore this fascinating natural area and help remove what invasive thistle (and other) species remain.  For more information or to register, contact Matthew Bertrand at 231-941-0960, mbertrand@gtcd.org.  Carpool available, and lunch provided to participants.

Jessica holds a Ph.D. in Forest Science from Michigan Technological University, a M.S. in Entomology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and a B.S. in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University.

She has broad training in environmental science, aquatic ecology, agriculture, entomology and forest science. She has also gained a great deal of education experience, teaching in both formal and informal settings from toddlers to adults. She has developed curriculum, managed after-school programs, taught environmental education in Bulgaria for two years, coordinated summer leadership camps and taught at the college level at Michigan Technological University and Northwestern Michigan College.While Jessica grew up in the Detroit area, she has always had a love of northern Michigan.  She vacationed every summer in the Grand Traverse region, and was delighted to make Traverse City her permanent home in 2010.  She has worked with the Conservation District’s Invasive Species Network for the past year and is currently Adjunct Faculty at Northwestern Michigan College.

Michigan forests have a major influence on our economy, lifestyle, and environmental quality.  They are notable within both the state and the nation, as well as around the world.  The Great Lakes are an important global feature and forests strongly define this region.

Photo by: John Gessner

Regional forests are not homogenous.  Rather, they contain an immense array of diversity, including the manner in which they are used.  Casual observation only hints at the depth of the forest resource.  Consider some of these features that can surface with a closer look.  These descriptors do not include the extensive urban and residential forests, and each can be more fully detailed, which shows greater variability and complexity.

• Michigan forests have been systematically measured and inventoried since 1935.Trends include steady increases in forest area, forest volume, and average tree diameter.  The current system involves over 10,000 forested inventory plots.
• The size of Michigan’s forestland ranks seventh in the nation.
• Michigan forests grew 2.3 times more wood than what was harvested during the years 2006-2010.  Losses from insects and diseases are on the rise.
• Michigan has about 14 billion trees over one inch in diameter.
• The five most common tree species are sugar maple, red maple, white cedar, red pine, and quaking aspen.
• Forest area is held by about 400,000 individual ownerships (46%), state and local governments (23%), corporate ownerships (17%), and the federal government (14%).
• Over half of Michigan’s forest is open to hunting, fishing, hiking, or other outdoor activities.
• The majority of the Michigan forest grows in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.
• Forest industry contributes $17 billion dollars, employs about 136,000 people, and is the third largest manufacturing sector in Michigan.  Two-thirds of forest-based companies are in the Lower Peninsula.
• Third-party forest certification applies to over a third of Michigan’s forest, helping to ensure sustainable supplies of wood products, together with social and environmental benefits.
• Northern hardwoods (sugar maple, beech, basswood, yellow birch) is the most common forest type, and that area has been steadily increasing.
• Michigan is now about 55% forested but was once nearly completely forested.  Major causes of land use change have been agriculture and human infrastructure.  Over the past century, forest area has been steadily increasing.
• Current forest threats include human development, deer depredation, climate changes, invasive species, and lack of management.
•  For every thousand trees; 24 are added to the inventory, 12 are harvested, and 9 die from insects and diseases.
• About 13 million trees are planted each year in Michigan for reforestation or afforestation purposes.  Additional trees are planted in parks, around residences, and for wildlife habitat.
• Most of Michigan’s nearly 600 species of vertebrates depend upon the forest for at least a portion of their habitat requirements.

Forests are always changing, either through natural processes or forest management.  While statistics will vary over time, and depending upon how the data are sliced and diced, it’s apparent that forests are critical to human survival and welfare.  Monitoring is a critical step in knowing how to manage and care for forests.

Check out Governor Snyder’s response to a question posed by the Grand Traverse Conservation District’s Executive Director, Tree Sturman.

Gov Snyder on Our Natural Resources from GTCD on Vimeo.

Posted: 23 March 2012

Position Objective

The Conservation District is seeking two passionate, energetic Conservation Interns to support its “four-pillared” approach to promoting environmental learning and stewardship:

•      Restoring the Boardman River and its watershed,
•      Promoting sustainable local agriculture,
•      Providing gateways to the natural world, and,
•      Training the next generation of conservation leaders.

Responsibilities

The Conservation Interns will assist the Conservation Team in developing, coordinating, and implementing its work plan, including trail maintenance, hands-on construction projects, invasive species removal, river restoration projects, and promotional events. Based on individual interest, the interns will also have the opportunity to engage in education activities, including leading trail hikes and work bees throughout the 3,000 acres of parkland we manage. The ability to work with little supervision, construction or outdoor maintenance experience, and good writing and communication skills are beneficial.

Preferred Start Date 14 May 2012

Application Process

Please e-mail completed application, resume, and cover letter stating your suitability for the position based on required knowledge and skills to Conservation Director Christine Crissman at ccrissman@gtcd.org.

Download the job application.

Applications must be received no later than 4:30 pm EST Friday 6 April 2012

Requirements

College students majoring in a natural resource-related field is preferred, although recent college graduates seeking more experience will also be considered. Preference will be given to those individuals whose curriculum requires an internship for graduation. Personal transportation and housing are required.

Compensation

The Conservation Interns are full-time, temporary positions (40 hours/week for 12 weeks) with a wage of $8.00/hour. These positions are FLSA non-exempt.

About the Grand Traverse Conservation District

For more than 70 years, the Grand Traverse Conservation District (Conservation District) has worked to conserve the natural resources that support and sustain the Grand Traverse region. With the construction of the Boardman River Nature Center in 2008, the Conservation District is now leading the effort to engage its whole community as partners in fostering a truly sustainable community—one that understands the ecological, cultural, and economic value of the natural world and works together to care for it in perpetuity. Our full-time staff of education and conservation experts delivers a variety of programs and services that serve our mission to inspire exploration, appreciation, and conservation of our natural world.

Posted: 23 March 2012

Position Objective

The Conservation District is seeking a passionate, energetic Boardman River Program Intern to support its “four-pillared” approach to promoting environmental learning and stewardship:

•      Restoring the Boardman River and its watershed,
•      Promoting sustainable local agriculture,
•      Providing gateways to the natural world, and,
•      Training the next generation of conservation leaders.

Responsibilities

The Boardman River Program Intern will assist the Conservation Team in developing, coordinating, and implementing its work plan, including trail maintenance, hands-on construction projects, invasive species removal, river restoration projects, and promotional events. Based on individual interest, the interns will also have the opportunity to engage in education activities, including leading trail hikes and work bees throughout the 3,000 acres of parkland we manage. The ability to work with little supervision, construction or outdoor maintenance experience, and good writing and communication skills are beneficial.

Preferred Start Date 14 May 2012

Application Process

Please e-mail completed application, resume, and cover letter stating your suitability for the position based on required knowledge and skills to Conservation Director Christine Crissman at ccrissman@gtcd.org.

Download the job application.

Applications must be received no later than 4:30 pm EST Friday 6 April 2012

Requirements

College students majoring in a natural resource-related field is preferred, although recent college graduates seeking more experience will also be considered. Preference will be given to those individuals whose curriculum requires an internship for graduation. Personal transportation and housing are required.

Compensation

The Boardman River Program Intern is a full-time, temporary position (40 hours/week for 12 weeks) with a wage of $8.00/hour. This position is FLSA non-exempt.

About the Grand Traverse Conservation District

For more than 70 years, the Grand Traverse Conservation District (Conservation District) has worked to conserve the natural resources that support and sustain the Grand Traverse region. With the construction of the Boardman River Nature Center in 2008, the Conservation District is now leading the effort to engage its whole community as partners in fostering a truly sustainable community—one that understands the ecological, cultural, and economic value of the natural world and works together to care for it in perpetuity. Our full-time staff of education and conservation experts delivers a variety of programs and services that serve our mission to inspire exploration, appreciation, and conservation of our natural world.

ABOUT THE GRAND TRAVERSE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The Grand Traverse Conservation District(www.natureiscalling.org) is a community-serving organization that cares for the people and places that make Northwest Michigan so special—our local farms, our schools, and our exquisite rivers, lakes and natural areas.  Our full time staff of sixteen education and conservation experts delivers a variety of programs and services that serve our mission to inspire exploration, appreciation and conservation of our natural world.

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

To promote the mission of the Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) by supporting the activities of the Education Team, including developing and delivering environmental education programs, creating and maintaining signage and exhibits, and representing the organization at the Boardman River Nature Center and throughout the community.

PREFERRED START DATE: May 2012

TO APPLY: Please email completed application, resume, and cover letter stating your suitability for the position based on required knowledge and skills to GTCD Education Director Colleen Masterson-Bzdok at cmasterson@gtcd.org.
Download the application.

Applications must be received no later than 4:30 PM EST, Friday 23 March 2012.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Education Coordinator

Primary relationships: Education Team, Volunteers

Secondary relationships: Conservation Team, Marketing and Development Team

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with the development and delivery of environmental education programs for K-12 students, teachers and the general public in a variety of settings.
• Assist with the development and delivery of eight (8), week-long summer day camp programs for youth.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of hands-on activities, signage and displays in the Boardman River Nature Center exhibit hall, including animal care.
• Assist with volunteer training.
• Assist with GTCD special events, including the Boardman River Nature Fest.
• Provide excellent customer service and develop and positive and welcoming relationships with Nature Center users, partners and other stakeholders.
• Assist with activities of the Conservation Team, which may include parkland management, river restoration, water stewardship or invasive species activities.
• Assist with retail sales and inventory as needed.
• Assist with administrative and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:   Currently enrolled in Bachelor’s degree program in science, education or related fields.

EXPERIENCE:   Experience with the development and/or delivery of education programs for children preferred.  Customer service experience preferred.

ABILITIES:

• Exceptional organizational and presentation skills.
• Excellent oral, telephonic and written communication skills.
• A team player with excellent social and interpersonal skills; can relate positively with people of different ages, cultures and abilities.
• Working knowledge of natural history, ecological principals and environmental stewardship preferred.
• Computer literacy including Microsoft Office and web applications.
• Current certification in CPR and basic first aid, or willingness and ability to acquire these certifications.
• Maintains a valid driver’s license.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Lifts and handles materials of up to 35 pounds without assistance.
2. Safely operates a motor vehicle and is licensed to do so.
3. Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, in the English language.
4. Able to work efficiently outdoors in varying conditions and terrain.
5. Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

COMPENSATION:

The Environmental Education Intern is full-time temporary position (40 hours/week for 15 weeks) with a wage of $8/hour.  FLSA non-exempt.

The Grand Traverse Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in employment, promotions, or compensation on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, handicap, or veteran status.

March is the perfect time to start a new backyard garden!

Starting Your Backyard Garden from GTCD on Vimeo.

A BIG THANK YOU to WTCM Radio for producing the audio!

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

Invasive Species Seasonal Technician; full-time, 40 hours/week for 20 weeks; FLSA non-exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Invasive Species Seasonal Technician works with the Program Coordinator and Specialist to implement the three-year EPA Invasive Species Network grant, which funds the position.   Primary responsibilities include:  invasive species control on parklands, volunteer engagement, and map creation.

PREFERRED START DATE:  1 May 2012

TO APPLY: Please email completed application, resume, and cover letter stating your suitability for the position based on required knowledge and skills to the Invasive Species Program Coordinator; Robin Christensen at rchristensen@gtcd.org. No calls please.

See the full job description.
Download the job application.

Applications must be received no later than 4:30 PM EST, Friday 30 March 2012.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The primary work place is in a typical office setting at GTCD’s office in the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City, MI.  The Technician will frequently be in the field coordinating invasive species control efforts.  This may involve traversing uneven, boggy and submerged terrain in wide ranges of air temperatures and weather and may require lifting equipment and materials of up to 40 pounds.  The Technician may frequently be in the vicinity of crews using hand tools and power equipment and may be involved in doing so her/himself.