From staff reports
Pictured above: Manistee Conservation District staff beams as they show their award for Conservation District of the Year. From left: Conservation Technician Tyler Dula, Outreach Coordinator Kendra Dula, Forester and Wildlife Biologist Josh Shields, Conservation Technician Chelsea Cooper, Michigan Association of Conservation Districts President Jerry Miller, Manistee CD Board Member Sharon Goble and Executive Director Renee Mallison.
REGION ‒ The Manistee Conservation District garnered four awards and Mason-Lake Conservation District took home two honors during the fall convention of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts held last week at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire.
The association includes 75 districts across the state.
Manistee CD was named Conservation District of the Year “for outstanding work and dedication to local conservation efforts,” according to the Manistee CD’s press release.
“It was wonderful to receive the recognition for our collective hard work this year,” Manistee CD Executive Director Renee Mallison said. “This award reinforces our bond working together as a team to serve the county and its residents.”
Three Manistee CD staff, one shared with Mason-Lake CD, were also individually recognized.
Mallison was awarded Administrator of the Year for going “above and beyond to better the conservation district as a whole.” According to the same press release, she led her district office through the challenges of the pandemic, afterward fielding a large volume of community requests for assistance, partnerships and programs.
The Conservation Seedling award was presented to new Manistee CD Outreach Coordinator Kendra Dula, who was recognized for excellence in the early stages of her conservation district career. Dula took on added responsibilities for coordinating events and helping with presentations ⸺ duties beyond the scope of her work preparing communications materials. She is also credited with running Manistee CD’s millage campaign which voters approved during last month’s elections.
Justin Brown is the MAEAP (Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program) technician for conservation districts in Manistee and Mason and western Lake counties. He was presented with the Verification Award from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Of the 37 MAEAP technicians in the state, Brown made the highest number of verifications (18) and re-verifications (24) of farms and forests.
According to Manistee CD’s Dula, “MAEAP Verification is a recognition that farms can receive for establishing or maintaining responsible conservation practices that reduce erosion and runoff on their farms. Farms that are MAEAP verified have demonstrated a dedication to environmental stewardship. MAEAP Verification can be achieved in four different systems: Farmstead; Cropping; Livestock; and Forest, Wetlands & Habitat.”
Mason-Lake CD Executive Director Dani McGarry received the Conservation Pioneer award for “exemplary merit, innovative thinking and leadership within their service area and community,” according the same newsletter. She is credited with finding creative solutions for staff and partner organizations and expanding the conservation district’s ability to complete community conservation projects in the future.
