The Muskegon Conservation District (MCD) held its 87th annual meeting Monday evening at the Viking Athletic Center, where it presented its 2023-24 report. The meeting was catered by the Gnarly Heifer and featured a keynote address by Shelby native Mark Peterson. The evening included a detailed review of several completed and upcoming projects in Muskegon and Oceana counties, as well as a closer examination of the plan for the local celery fields. Additionally, the agenda included the renewal of positions for three board members: Dr. George McLaughlin (Board Vice Chair), John Jurcich (Board Secretary/Treasurer), and Dr. Kevin Strychar (Director).
The Muskegon County Conservation District reported a nearly 20% increase in revenue from 2023 to 2024. The combined revenue of $1.4 million for this period has been allocated to several essential conservation initiatives, including habitat improvement and restoration, invasive species management, county drain projects, water quality monitoring, watershed assessment, erosion control, and shoreline stabilization.
With these funds, staff and volunteers planted thousands of trees and tens of thousands of dune grass culms, and previously unusable land was converted or restored to promote maximum biodiversity. Additionally, many hours of surveys were conducted throughout the county, including the Sodony Bayou survey, which revealed nearly 200 species residing in five distinct ecosystems.
Kali Rush, a biologist from Ducks Unlimited, presented her organization's plans for the White Lake celery fields. Ducks Unlimited acquired most of the privately owned celery farm in 2012, and after the flooding in 2018, the fields transformed into a complete wetland. Consequently, Ducks Unlimited reached an agreement with the remaining landowners and purchased the rest of the land in 2021. Over the next few years, Ducks Unlimited will collaborate with MCD to remove the pumps from the fields, repair the river bend, and restore the area to its native state.
In addition to MCD's direct work on the land and in the water, volunteers, and staff hosted and participated in extensive outreach programs in Muskegon and nearby counties. Youth were introduced to conservation-related careers, children attended dozens of events geared toward identifying and utilizing their local resources, and program participants learned how Native tribes used the natural resources in the area. From 2023 to 2024, total participation in MCD outreach programs grew from 3,100 attendees to 4,100.
To conclude the evening's discussion, Mark Peterson from Worldwide Trophy Adventures shared his journey of leaving his family's farm to pursue a career in outdoor sports and conservation. An avid lifelong hunter and basketball coach, Peterson stepped away from agriculture to establish a successful company dedicated to fostering an appreciation for hunting and conservation among young people. In just over a decade, his venture has taken him thousands of miles from his family's farm in Shelby to the forefront of his new industry.
