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Conservation Convention
Post Storms Community Workshop
Open to the public and free to attend!
September 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Michigan
Format of the Day
The conference runs across three rooms, each hosting four speaker presentations throughout the day. Speaking sessions are led by nonprofit and government entities, keeping the day's content focused on public resources and conservation expertise.
From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, all sessions pause for a moderated speaker panel, an open Q&A for the public. No other sessions run during this window, so every attendee can take part.
Exhibitor tables run throughout the day, featuring vendors offering services relevant to disaster preparedness and conservation for the public.
-Session Information-
Event Agenda
9:15AM Speaker Session 1
ERIE ROOM ST.CLAIR ROOM ONTARIO ROOM
Community Long Term Disaster Recovery
OCUW
long-term recovery coordination, rebuilding plans, grants and donations management, volunteer coordination, disaster-related costs, unmet needs, and advocacy for vulnerable populations.
Quindecim: Pet and Livestock Disaster Response Team
Pet & Livestock Disaster Preparedness
Native Plants & Tress
Kalkaska Conservation District
How Native Plants Heal and Protect the Land
10:15AM
Key Note Panel
Michigan DNR | Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy | 211 Northeast Michigan Department of Health & Human Services | Otsego County United Way
12:00PM Speaker Session 2
ERIE ROOM ST.CLAIR ROOM ONTARIO ROOM
Fire & Ice
Michigan DNR
Ice storm damage and impacts on wildfires and prescribed burning.
Get your picture with Smokey Bear!
Quindecim: Pet and Livestock Disaster Response Team
Pet & Livestock Disaster Preparedness
Invasive Species: After the Storm
Huron Pines
This session will discuss the affects storm events can have on the presence of invasive species and what landowners can do to mitigate those affects, both in terms of preventative efforts and post-storm efforts.
1:00PM Speaker Session 3
ERIE ROOM ST.CLAIR ROOM ONTARIO ROOM
NRCS Programs
NRCS Overview and Farm Bill Programs
211 Resources
Disaster Response
Data, Navigation, and Relief: 211 a Key Partner in Emergency Action Plans
Tax Relief for Ice Damaged Forests
Metcalfe Forestry
The March 2025 ice storm was a Federally Declared and Qualified Disaster loss. This may allow for a large tax deduction against your regular income & no timber sale needed to qualify.
2:00PM Speaker Session 4
ERIE ROOM ST.CLAIR ROOM ONTARIO ROOM
Environmental Health Response
MDHHS
Walk through our safety and preparedness resources on wildfire smoke and air quality, extreme temperatures, and more.
Permitting & restoration post flooding
EGLE
A live demonstration of the Ward's Model, a benchtop watershed runoff model used to visualize how various factors within the watershed can impact storm water runoff and flooding.
Land Protection
HeadWaters Land Conservancy
Conservation easements, Forest Legacy Program, the importance of having a forest management plan
Registration
This event is free, but we ask that you register in advance so we can make sure we have enough materials and supplies on hand for everyone who joins us.
Interested in Speaking?
Speaking sessions are reserved for nonprofit and government entities. Confirmed speakers receive lunch and a travel stipend. If you're interested in leading a session or joining the mid morning speaker panel, let us know using the form below.
Reserve a Exhibitor Booth
Exhibitor tables are available for for-profit vendors offering services relevant to disaster preparedness and conservation for the public. Reserve your booth using the form below.
About The Event
It is no secret that Northern Michigan has had its share of recent natural disasters that have left the community looking for answers. In an effort to connect residents with resources, education, and assistance, the Otsego Conservation District, HeadWaters Land Conservancy, and Huron Pines are hosting Conservation Con: Post Storms Community Workshop.
This event brings conservation groups, emergency resources, and the public together to share information about environmental disaster mitigation and preparation. Attendees will hear from speakers across forestry, utilities, water quality, environmental services, and emergency management, and will leave better prepared to deal with the aftermath of recent storms as well as future disasters.
This event is made possible by a grant from the Disaster Response Fund of the Otsego Community Foundation.
Do you have questions for our panel? Need information on specific resources?
Help us shape the event, fill out our subject interest form so we know what topics and resources matter most to you.
Who Should Attend
This event is free and open to the public. Local residents, conservation professionals, emergency management staff, and community organizations from across Northern Michigan are all welcome.
Learn
Hear from conservation experts and emergency professionals about disaster mitigation and preparedness.
Connect
Meet local organizations, businesses, and agencies ready to help before and after disasters.
Prepare
Leave with practical tools, local resources, and actionable steps to protect your property and community.
Questions? Reach out to either host organization.
Kelly Draeger, Otsego Conservation District
(989) 732-4021
kdraeger@otsegocountymi.gov
Dianne Farner, HeadWaters Land Conservancy
(989) 731-0573, ext. 103
dfarner@headwatersconservancy.org
Amanda Vanaman, Huron Pines
(989) 448-2293, ext. 30
amanda@huronpines.org