2006
The Stewardship Network, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and The Nature Conservancy were the driving forces behind the launch of the West Michigan Cluster of the Stewardship Network.
The original planning team of Chris Hoving of MDNR, Brian Majka of JFNew, John Legge of The Nature Conservancy and Melanie Manion with Land Conservancy of West Michigan provided the vision and leadership.
A grant from the Frey Foundation for a part-time coordinator, the group was off to a strong start, extending stewardship work through collaboration.
The Land Conservancy housed the coordinator (Melanie Manion) and TSN was the initial fiduciary. Original counties were Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Kent and the north half of Allegan.
2007
The West MI Cluster had brought together public and private organizations to provide education about land stewardship, with a special focus on managing invasive species.
2009 – 2010
The West Michigan Cluster developed the EDRR (Early Detection, Rapid Response) to “work within…the area to detect new invasives on private and public lands in an attempt to eradicate them before they are widespread…”
Developed an early detection invasive species program and a brochure, Stamp Out Invasive Plants that would educate on Invasive Plant Species that included three early detection species as well as three widespread invasive species.
Additional Invasive Species doorhangers were created based on the brochure and distributed to the public.
2011
Jeanette Henderson and Ginny Wanty became the Co-coordinators for the West Michigan Cluster of The Stewardship Network after Melanie Manion stepped down.
WYCE Hat Trick Series Fundraiser on November 8- Raised over $1,000 including match from partners towards costs for printing the Stamp Out Invasive Plants brochure and doorhangers. The West MI Cluster on The Stewardship Network Garlic Mustard Challenge by recording 52,258.75 pounds.
Held an all-day workshop for the public and professionals on June 18 entitled Please Bug me! at Calvin College’s Ecosystems Preserve.
1st Fall Feature was held at Ladies Literary Club on November 4 with a showing of Greenfire-Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time.
2012
Annual Fall Feature and Fundraiser A Swine Soire. Pulled pork dinner, Annual meeting event and speaker Tim Wilson discussing Feral Swine in Michigan.
2013
The West Michigan Cluster formed a Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) with the US Forest Service to provide expanded services and programs for invasive species. Partners signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the US Forest Service.
CWMA funding enabled Invasive Strike Teams to form at Kent and Ottawa Conservation Districts.
At the end of 2013 Jeanette Henderson was replaced by Mike Bruggink as Co-coordinator with Ginny Wanty.
The Fall Feature and presentation by Dan O’Keefe on Asian Carp-the next Great Lake Invader?
2014
The West Michigan Cluster and CISMA with Ottawa Conservation District as fiduciary submitted the first Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (MISGP) grant proposal. Was awarded over $400.000.00.
Grant funding was also awarded from Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) and US Forest Service (because we are a CWMA).
Held Invasive Species Education program at Brewery Vivant.
Fall Feature and presentation by Pete Butchko on What’s the Big Deal-Mute Swans, Canada Geese and Cormorants?
Created the garlic mustard disposal dumpster project at 3 sites in Kent County in early spring.
Cascades Township has continued to offer a dumpster for garlic mustard disposal.
2015
Mike Bruggink resigned as Co-coordinator and Ginny Wanty continued to serve as coordinator.
CISMA Coordinator, Drew Rayner started work on June 8, 2015. Funding for his position provided through the 2014 MISGP grant.
Fall Feature was Conservation Conversations-Speed Dating Style.
A Natural Resources Planner with Oakland County Parks gave a PowerPoint presentation on how they are tackling swallow-wort. First time invasive species information and treatment results shared from another county with WMC Partners. Swallow-wort was labeled an EDRR species in
West MI.
New counties, Oceana, Montcalm and Mecosta were added to the West MI Cluster.
Sunday Afternoon Showcase of Parks and Preserves was launched. Initial partner properties showcased were Loda Lakes Wildflower Sanctuary, Rosy Mound Natural Area, PF Hoffmaster State Park, Prairie Wolf Park, Richmond Nature Preserve and Lepard Nature Preserve.
2016
In late 2016, the West Michigan Conservation Network (WMCN) is formed as a new “umbrella organization” to enable the Cluster and its Partner organizations to have the support they need to continue learning and engagement support of habitat restoration and management. This
directional change was a result of discussion and action by the partners. A Strategic Plan was created.
The Stewardship Network remains a core partner of the WMCN.
End of the Cluster leadership model. The new WMCN leadership model became a Steering Committee composed of the Structure and Function lead- Ginny Wanty; Habitat and Restoration lead- Drew Rayner and Learning and Engagement lead – Meggan Johnson. The two at large
members were Brian Mjaka and Justin Heslinga.
Counties within WMCN increased to 8 covering Allegan, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Ottawa.
WMCN grew to forty-plus partners offer educational outreach and sustainable land management support in the seven-county region.
2017
Annual Meeting was held on March 9 at Roselle Park.
At the quarterly meeting in August, approval was given to create the WMCN website. Website launched in November. The website includes a resource section, events calendar, job listing and a quarterly partner project section.
2018
Fall Feature flyer at Montcalm Area Career Center – Speaker – Dr. Steve Malcolm, from Western
Michigan University– speaking on pollinators and monarchs travel from north to south.
2024
Ginny Wanty, Jessie Schulte and Sue Aagaard reviewed and updated the Strategic Plan and then presented to the Steering Committee for approval.
2025
Members of the Structure and Function subcommittee reviewed and updated the Strategic Plan and presented their updates to the Steering Committee at the Oct. Quarterly Steering Committee meeting for their approval.
Starting in April, the Steering Committee meeting minutes were taken and posted to website.
At the October Steering Committee voted unanimously to move the West Michigan CISMA (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area) into its own silo out the West Michigan Conservation Network’s (WMCN) three subcommittee structure. The goal is to improve clarity, reduce duplication, and ensure long-term sustainability and accountability for both organizations. The WMCISMA will have its own Steering Committee (advisory to coordinator) to focus on invasive species surveys, treatment, and outreach.
As a result of these changes to the Strategic Plan, the WMCN will have a Board of Directors overseeing regional conservation outreach and education via its three subcommittees instead of a Steering Committee. Board of Directors will now be made up of no more than 15 voting members. There will be a Shared Connection because one WMCN representative will serve on the CISMA Steering Committee and the CISMA Coordinator serves on the WMCN Board. Ottawa Conservation District will continue as fiduciary for both entities until further review. The WMCN strategic plan was updated to reflect these changes.
