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Preserving rural character in the Manchester area: a forum for local officials and residents
September 11, 2023
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Soil health and organic practices to be highlighted during Washtenaw Field Day
August 10, 2023
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Preserving Rural Character in the Manchester Area: A forum for local officials and residents
August 9, 2023
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Manchester Township Officials Seek Input on Land Preservation Options
July 10, 2023
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Environmental incentives to conservation easements: Residents learn about land management & preservation
Feb 20, 2023
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Guest editorial: Preserving Manchester’s rural character
Feb 20, 2023
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Washtenaw County Conservation District
See upcoming events, sign up for monthly newsletters and find out about the programs they offer for farmers and landowners (direct links to some of the programs below)
https://www.washtenawcd.org/
Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
MAEAP is administered through local Conservation Districts; separate programs for Crops, Farmsteads, Livestock and Forest, Wildlife and Habitat Systems
https://www.washtenawcd.org/maeap.html
https://maeap.org/
WCCD Farmer Cost-Share Programs
For smaller projects that don’t meet other guidelines
https://www.washtenawcd.org/farmer-cost-share-opportunities.html
NRCS FARM BILL PROGRAMS
Multiple programs for farmers and owners of woodlands, wetlands and natural areas (some specific links below)
https://www.washtenawcd.org/nrcs-farm-bill-programs.html
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts, using new conservation practices or activities, based on management objectives for your operation. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/csp-conservation-stewardship-program
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
In exchange for removing environmentally sensitive land from production and establishing permanent resource conserving plant species, farmers and ranchers are paid an annual rental rate
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-enhancement/
Washtenaw County Natural Areas Preservation Program
County-wide millage in place for over 20 years has permanently preserved 9,165 acres in the county
https://www.washtenaw.org/939/Natural-Areas-Preservation-Program
Apply For Preservation of Your Land – Washtenaw County
https://www.washtenaw.org/2798/Apply-For-Preservation-of-Your-Land
State of Michigan Farmland Development Rights Agreements (PA 116)
Creates a temporary restriction on the land between the State and a landowner, preserving their land for agriculture in exchange for certain tax benefits
https://www.washtenawcd.org/mi-farmland-preservation.html
Farmer-Led Watershed Conservation
Farmers helping farmers protect water quality in the River Raisin watershed through education, monitoring and various conservation programs
https://www.waterqualityfarming.org/home
Legacy Land Conservancy
Whether your land is a working farm or home to natural habitats, a conservation agreement is a tool to help you protect and conserve what is special about your land today and for tomorrow’s generations.
https://legacylandconservancy.org/
ArcGIS Web Application
This interactive map provides an idea of what our landscapes looked like in the early 1800s, according to the original land surveyors of Michigan (Manchester was surveyed in 1824). You can then compare that to a current aerial photo. You can enter an address or zoom in to any location in Michigan. Click in the upper right corner for the legend of the different vegetation types. Or click in the map and the vegetation type will show up. ArcGIS Web Application This article, In My Backyard: Part 4 provides helpful tips on navigating this website.
Map of all Parks and Preserved Lands in Washtenaw County
River Raisin Watershed Council (RRWC)
All of Manchester Township is within the River Raisin watershed; RRWC provides programing and information for residents, farmers and landowners to help protect water quality
https://www.riverraisin.org/
Michigan Forest Association (MFA)
MFA provides sound, science-based information through workshops, newsletters, a quarterly magazine, field days, and legislative outreach and advocacy
https://michiganforests.org/
Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI)
MNFI generates and disseminates the highest quality scientific information on the location and condition of Michigan’s rare species and habitats
https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/
Invasive species in Washtenaw County
Resources on identifying and managing invasive species
https://www.washtenawcd.org/invasive-species.html
Jackson Lenawee Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
The JLW CISMA’s purpose is to prevent, detect, eradicate and control invasive species in the area, create a strategic plan for reducing the threat of invasive species, and provide outreach/educational opportunities for local citizens and stakeholder groups
https://jlwcisma.weebly.com/
MiFarmLink
A website where new or expanding farmers can find affordable farmland
https://www.mifarmlink.org/