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LANSING — Michigan’s conservation district offices may look quiet (and closed) from the outside due to the state’s COVID-19 crisis response. Yet staff are still busy fielding phone calls and emails from concerned citizens.

“Directors and staff across Michigan’s 75 conservation districts are available and open for business to support Michigan agriculture,” said Gerald Miller, president of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts. “District staff have access to their offices and are working remotely to support farmers and growers as they implement conservation programs on private lands.”

Though deemed essential services by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order, district offices are closed to in-person customers. However, spring planting season is here – one of the busiest times of year for most districts.

Therefore, district staff are working remotely and from home to continue all possible services, including one-on-one natural resource advice.

“Resident contacts haven’t seemed to change much,” said Allison Brucks, executive director of Van Buren Conservation District. “We’ve been helping residents with applications, tree seedling orders, plant IDs, backyard habitat questions, and recycling concerns, all through email or phone conversations.”

Social distancing practices are strictly being followed by field staff during on-site visits necessary to help farmers meet verification and funding requirements for agriculture programs like the USDA’s Farm Bill.

“I’m very proud of the staff work now being implemented in all 75 Conservation Districts,” Miller said.

All citizens, producers and landowners eager for smart conservation options – even while sequestered to their land during the COVID-19 crisis – are encouraged to call or email their local district’s office for details and support. In most cases, calls can be routed to specialized staff working remotely.

District websites also have the latest local updates on available services and postponed events. Contact details and websites for local districts can be found at macd.org/find-your-district.

“Our staff has been in great communication working on various projects,” Brucks said. “We have Zoomed or Skyped staff meetings, and email, call, and text multiple times daily. We are all hanging in there best we can, and plan to continue to be there for our people.”

Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of trail systems for hikes and fresh air, including those maintained by districts.

“In these uncertain times, spending time in nature may be just what we need to stay grounded and heal our souls,” said Koffi Kpachavi, executive director of Grand Traverse Conservation District.

Michigan conservation districts are local units of government that utilize state, federal, and private sector resources to solve today’s conservation challenges.

As the local providers of natural resource management services – much like local fire, police, health, and school services – conservation districts help local citizens conserve their lands and waterways so Michigan’s environment can be a cleaner, healthier, economically stronger place to live, work and grow.