Jeffrey Blyveis, of Jones, has been a volunteer with the Cass County Conservation district for two and a half years. He currently serves as a chairman of the board, which is a volunteer position. Through the role, Blyveis helps to educate the public about the environment, complete office work and participate in community events. He has also helped to lead or participate in local nature walks. While Blyveis will not be running for re-election on the board, he said he will continue to serve the Cass County Conservation District as a volunteer coordinator, after this year. 

How do you get involved in with the Cass County Conservation District?

My wife, Korie, and I were both interested in volunteering for the Cass County Conservation District, so we actually started doing that a couple of years back. We both have environmental studies degrees from Western Michigan University, so we thought it would be a nice thing to get involved with.

We both have that environmental background and believe in grass roots building. We can’t see doing anything outside of our area. We are very active in the Jones area. We sponsor a clean-up day on Earth Day.

What do you do as a volunteer for the Cass County Conservation District?

Additionally, I have gone above and beyond the board duties of a volunteer. The CCCD has an annual tree sale in April and it is just a huge project …

I worked with Korie on that and put approximately 60 hours in basically every year. For two years, I have done the tree sale and dedicated about 60 hours to that. More recently, they have an invasive species program that is educational, so we bought a stand-up tent and have been setting booths up trying to educate the public at events. This year, I have done work at the Cass County Fair booth and at also at the Harvest Festival during Trunk or Treat. We set up a candy delivery in the line representing the CCCD.

We actually dressed … as invasive species (He dressed as an Asian long-horned beetle). We had emerald ash bores and an Asian long-horned beetle — it is quite a devastating beetle which attacks many hardwood trees, including sugar maples, which is quite devastating. Hopefully, we can put a stop to it, before it destroys the state, so we are trying to educate people on that.  I have also worked the booth up at the Blue Gill Frolic. 

What would you say you enjoy most about volunteering with the Cass County Conservation District?

I really like the volunteers and I think the big crucial part of the system is having volunteers. The ladies that I work with are real go-getters and are inspirational for sure. For the most part, it is getting to work with people. But it also piggybacks on working for the CCCD and having my environmental studies background. It is even more fulfilling in that manner.

Why would you encourage others to volunteer?

To one extent, I just believe that it is an individual’s civic duty to help others. The programs that you are working for builds a strong heart in the individual.