Program Information

The Michigan Conservation Stewards Program (CSP) is an 8-week, hybrid educational program for adults who are enthusiastic about learning science-based ecosystem management principles and sharing this knowledge with others to help improve their local communities. Through this program, learners will learn essential strategies to understand and help restore and conserve ecosystems in Michigan communities. This program includes field experiences to explore area natural communities, online learning, and indoor classes held in unique places. Participants also put their learning into action by working directly with local conservation groups. This fall, CSP will be offered in Berrien, Macomb, Marquette, and Newyago counties. Each cohort will be instructed and organized by MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, and/or a variety of local conservation organizations and experts. 

Program Components

  • Weekly, Virtual Lessons
    • Online course content to review and complete on-your-own via the course website prior to each week's session.
  • Weekly, In-person Sessions
    • `Up to three hours of lecture and field instruction at various locations within your cohort's region, date, time and location information can be found on the cohort page.
    • 8 total sessions
  • 1-2 Saturday, In-person Field Days
    • Half-day field experiences at locations within your cohort's region, date, time and location information can be found on the cohort page.
  • Capstone (Applied) Project related to restoring and conserving Michigan’s ecosystem, with guidance provided by local instructors

Program Topics

  • Foundations of Conservation
    • Ecological Foundations & Michigan Natural Communities
    • Michigan Conservation Heritage
    • Society & Conservation
  • Terrestrial, Wetland and Aquatic Ecosystems

Certification Requirements

  • Full attendance in weekly sessions and field days
    • 2 excused absences are allowed.
  • Completion of weekly online content and 80% or above on all online quizzes
  • Completion of Capstone Project

Program Requirements

  • This program is for adults (18+) only.
  • The weekly sessions and field trips will be at various locations within the county you select. Please review the locations listed on the cohort pages of the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program website to ensure the travel distance is pratical for you for all weekly sessions and field days. Attendance is critical to the learning experience, and required for a program certificate.
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