Cass County Conservation District

08/29/2026

Have you ever seen this sign? ​

It’s the mark of a farmer who’s verified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Cropping System. ​

The MAEAP Cropping System recognizes farms that implement crop production practices that promote sound water use, soil conservation, and nutrient management. ​

What do the farms get out of the arrangement? Protection against nuisance complaints, preferred consideration for technical assistance, and recognition as leading stewards of our natural resources.​

Good for the environment, good for farmers, and good for communities. That's the MAEAP promise.​

Want to know more? Visit https://go.mi.gov/xr6dz2985

08/25/2026

What species do you want to see at the upcoming tree sale in April 2027? Comment below or fill out this very short form - https://forms.gle/GEPcsRcwcgdiMZ1SA

08/19/2026

So if we were to sponsor a
Cass County
Green Space Tour
- what stops should we include?

08/16/2026

These are the kind of projects we would love to see here in Cass.
Please contact us if you are doing something like this - we’d like to document your experience and help others to do similar activities.

08/15/2026

Join us this Tuesday, August 18th, from 3:00pm-4:00pm for a special board meeting to discuss our 2027 fiscal year draft budget! This meeting is open to the public and we welcome your input! Click the link below to visit our or events page for more information!

We welcome the public to provide comments on the Cass County CD’s 2027 fiscal year budget. In this meeting we will discuss the Conservation District’s draft budget for the 2027 fiscal year. Unable to make it? Join us on Zoom!

08/15/2026

The Berrien and Cass County Conservation Districts, in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will host a Local Work Group Meeting to discuss the FY 2027 Farm Bill Programs. The meeting brings together representatives from federal, state and local agencies, conservation organizations, and members of the public to identify natural resource concerns, discuss local conservation needs, and help determine county priorities for future conservation efforts.

We want to hear from our community! Local landowners, farmers, producers, conservation partners, and residents are encouraged to join us and share what natural resource issues and conservation priorities matter most in Berrien and Cass Counties. Your input helps shape the direction of future conservation programs and ensures local needs are represented. Come be part of the conversation and help us plan for the future of conservation in our communities!

08/14/2026

Great program.

What’s that weird stuff floating in your lake?

This Michigan Sea Grant article is a helpful summer reminder that not everything floating on the surface is a harmful algal bloom. Sometimes it may be pollen, bacteria, duckweed, watermeal, or other aquatic plants. But if you have ruled out those possibilities and the water looks like spilled paint, pea soup, surface scum, or an unusual green, blue-green, purple, or brown bloom, it may be a harmful algal bloom.

If you suspect a HAB, avoid contact with the water and keep pets and livestock away. Take clear photos, including close-up images and wider shots that show the location, then report it through Michigan.gov/HABs or call EGLE’s Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278.

Reports help trained staff review possible blooms, provide safety guidance, and add confirmed locations to Michigan’s HAB map. They also become useful data for understanding where and when harmful algal blooms occur.

Read the full article here: https://www.michiganseagrant.org/blog/2026/04/30/whats-that-weird-stuff-floating-in-your-lake/

08/13/2026

Opportunity to learn.

Learn more about your community with this FREE three-part in-person series featuring conversations on topics relevant to Van Buren, Berrien, and Cass County communities.

RSVP at theedaccess.com/store/southwest-michigan-civic-learning-sessions

08/07/2026

Did you know environmental emergencies can be reported 24/7? 🚨

If you see a spill, chemical release, or another incident that could threaten Michigan's air, land, or water, report it right away.

EGLE's Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff are ready to respond to potential threats to public health and the environment.

Report an environmental emergency: 800-292-4706

Learn more about what to report and when: https://michigan.gov/egle/contact/environmental-emergencies

08/03/2026