The Michigan Conservation Stewards Program offers eight weeks of instruction this fall. The program will include weekly online course content, in-person lectures, field instruction and more.
Michigan State University Extension’s Conservation Stewards Program (CSP) is now enrolling participants for the eight-week program, which runs from September to November.
In 2025, CSP will be offered across six cohort locations, including one in Oceana County.
During each week of instruction, the hybrid program will combine virtual, self-paced lessons with in-person evening sessions at various locations within Newaygo County. The cohort will host weekly evening sessions Monday evenings from 6-8:30 p.m.
Two Saturday in-person field trips within the region are set for Sept. 27 at Lake Michigan Family Camp and Oct. 11 at farms in Claybanks and Benona townships.
Participants will also complete applied capstone projects related to restoring and conserving Michigan’s ecosystems with guidance provided by a local mentor.
Partner organizations for the Oceana County cohort include:
- Oceana Conservation District
- Fremont Area Community Foundation
- White River Watershed Partnership
- Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
- Michigan Natural Features Inventory
- MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams
The deadline to register is Sunday, Aug. 17, with scholarship opportunities available for all. For additional details and to register, visit events.anr.msu.edu/micsp2025.
The Michigan Conservation Stewards Program is an educational program for adult learners offered by Michigan State University Extension and collaboratively planned with many diverse partner organizations. CSP is geared toward those who are enthusiastic about learning science-based ecosystem management principles, getting involved in on-the-ground stewardship efforts, sharing their knowledge and experiences with the public, and empowering others to get engaged in improving their local area.
Participants learn essential strategies to understand and help restore and conserve ecosystems in Michigan communities. To learn more about CSP and the 2025 cohort locations, visit canr.msu.edu/csp. For cohort and content related questions, contact Laura Ackerman at
laura.ackerman@macd.org or Erick Elgin at elgineri@msu.edu. For general questions and registration assistance, contact Shelby Warner at warner80@msu.edu or call (517) 884-7076.
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