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Current Seminar Series

Augusta Creek Watershed Association
No seminars scheduled.

Four Township Water Resources Council
Call (616) 671-4547 for schedule.
Videotapes of FTWRC seminars can be borrowed from local libraries within the four-township area (Barry and Prairieville Twps. of Barry County, and Ross and Richland Twps. of Kalamazoo County).

MSU's Kellogg Biological Station
Call (616) 671-5117 for schedule.

Other environmental programs in SW Michigan - information available at WMU's Environmental Studies web site at http://www.wmich.edu/science/docs/esp/earthnet.html.

Past ACWA Seminar Series

Resouces and information featured in the ACWA seminar series.

Farmstead Groundwater Protection

The ACWA invited Terri Smith (St. Joseph Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Div. of Michigan Department of Agriculture) and Mike Gaden (from the national service organization, Americorps) to speak to farmstead owners about groundwater protection.

Smith discussed the Groundwater and Freshwater Protection Act (247), monitoring pesticides in groundwater and practices used to reduce pesticide contamination. Gaden explained how the Farm-A-Syst program helps farmers and rural residents identify sources of technical, educational and financial assistance to protect groundwater. Attendees could earn RUP or Pesticide Application Recertification credits.

Terri Smith, St. Joseph Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Div. of Michigan Department of Agriculture
(616)426-2575

Farm-A-Syst, Kalamazoo Co., MI
(616)327-0696

Farm-A-Syst, Barry Co., MI
(616)948-8038

Residential Land Use Planning

Gary Stock of With The Grain, Inc. was invited to speak on the importance of long range land use planning within the Augusta Creek watershed. Mr. Stock is an environmental consultant who specializes in working with townships to resolve zoning and land use issues.

With The Grain, Inc, Gary Stock (616)624-1140

Focus On Farming

In recognition of the importance of agriculture within the Augusta Creek watershed the ACWA invited two speakers to address conservation issues facing farmers.

Ben Zimont (MDNR, Surface Water Quality Division, Nonpoint Source Program in Plainwell) spoke on nonpoint source pollution related to farming. Mr. Zimont discussed several state programs and resources available for controlling and preventing nonpoint source pollution.

Steve Bare (District Conservationist for Barry County) addressed several farm related topics ranging from the impact of changing rural land use patterns to recent changes in government farming regulations.

Ben Zimont, MDNR, Surface Water Quality Division, Nonpoint Source Program in Plainwell
(616)685-9886

Steve Bare, District Conservationist for Barry County
(616)948-8038

DNR Projects on Augusta Creek.

Jim Dexter of the Michigan DNR spoke about the brown trout stocking program, fish population dynamics and stream modifications. Mr. Dexter also discussed the acquisitions on Augusta Creek for public access that were of particular interest to deer hunters and trout anglers.

Jim Dexter, MDNR Fisheries Division, Plainwell, MI
(616)685-6851