Osceola-Lake Conservation District

The OLCD works to educate, inform and assist all resource users in the wise use and management of our natural resources.

If you hunt, fish, boat, hike, garden, farm, or interact with the natural environment, you benefit from the work of Michigan’s 75 Conservation Districts!

Michigan’s Conservation Districts are unique local units of State Government created to steward natural resources under the operation of The Soil Conservation District Law, Act 463, P.A. 1998. They link a host of land managers and service providers, including local, state, and federal government, conservation organizations and technology, to solve today’s conservation problems.

Osceola-Lake Conservation District sign with brown cows standing in a green field with blue skies above
A sunrise over a misty farm. A old windmill stands on the left, and a red barn and red pine tree on the right.

Since 1944, OLCD has taken a holistic approach to conservation. We continuously connect with our community to assess current resource concerns. The OLCD works with our partners to set local priorities and develop action plans to make our community a better place for all.

The Osceola Lake Conservation District operates under a board of elected directors that develops policy and directs the programs within our District. All Conservation District programs and services are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or disability.

With our longstanding presence in Osceola and Lake Counties for over 75 years, we have a complementary combination of history and cutting-edge science to develop recommendations based on each landscape's unique resource concerns.

The most common and pressing challenges we encounter are: Climate Change, Parcelization & Land Development in Sensitive Areas, Invasive Species (Pests & Diseases), Non-Point Source Pollution, and Erosion.

The work of Conservation Districts helps Michiganders manage their private and community lands for a cleaner, healthier Michigan.

A field of Michigan Native Wildflowers on a sunny day. A Sign that says "Native Wildflower Planting" in the foreground. A White pine tree and blue sky dotted with clouds in the background

How YOU can help: 

  • Work with our technicians!  Our knowledgeable team can help you determine what programs and best practices to implement on your land. 

  • Participate in our events! Learn, Connect and Grow with us. Creating a community with whom to share information, experiences, and resources helps us all.

  • Have an open mind! An attitude of ‘always learning & improving’ keeps us all moving forward towards positive change. 

Our clientele includes landowners, nature enthusiasts, professional partners, and community members and organizations. We offer assessments for everything from expansive thousand-acre forests to tranquil backyards, catering to both seasoned and curious learners alike.

Whatever your connection to the land, we provide tools and knowledge to help you enhance and enjoy your specific ecosystem with confidence, now and for years to come.

Birch tree with bracket fungi growing on trunk against blue sky
Two people standing on a grassy area in front of a tree with autumn leaves, holding a sign that says 'This Farm is Environmentally Verified' by the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).
A diverse group of people gathered in a field, listening to a woman sitting among the crops.
Group of people gathered around a large soil pit in a cornfield, observing or participating in a field demonstration of soil study.
Cows grazing in a field under a cloudy sky
Group of people in a forest with hard hats gathered around forestry equipment.
A group of people standing near a fence observing cattle in a grassy field, with trees and clouds in the background.
Cows grazing on hay in a snowy field under a cloudy sky.
Young fern fiddleheads emerging from the forest floor covered with dry leaves and twigs.
Group attending outdoor university extension demonstration near a trailer and parked truck on grassy area.
A sign in a grassy field reads: "Entering Mecosta Conservation District, Managing Our Natural Resources," with a map outline in the background. The sky is overcast, and a tree and barn are visible in the distance.
A group of people in a forest setting, listening to a speaker. Trees surround the gathering, and the group is on a nature walk or educational tour.
cows grazing in a field with hay bales and trees in the background
People participating in a fruit tree grafting workshop, handling plant cuttings on a table
A group of people standing in a grassy field examining solar panels next to large water tanks under clear blue sky.
A group of people, including children and an adult, are gathered outdoors around a large treemaple syrup tapping demonstration. Blue hoses are connected to the tree, leading to white buckets labeled 'Family Farm & Home,' to collect sap. The area has
Herd of cattle grazing in a grassy field under a clear blue sky with a visible moon; trees and distant hills in the background.
A family standing in front of a sign for a farm certified as environmentally verified by the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. A dog is also present. The adults and baby are smiling, and the dog is sitting on the grass. The backgr
A cow standing in a snowy field during a heavy snowfall.
Soil erosion demonstration setup with jars collecting runoff water from different soil types and vegetation, showing varying water turbidity levels.
A young child dressed warmly is holding a tree seedling and a shovel in a forest. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, and there are trees and pink flags in the background.
A group of people seated in a room watching a presentation on a projector screen.
Wildflower meadow with sign reading 'Native Wildflower Planting', featuring various flowers and plants against a backdrop of trees and blue sky with clouds.
Snow-covered field with grazing cows, bales of hay, a group of people, and a green tractor, under a blue sky with clouds.