County park initiative encourages residents to create habitat at home

Mar 26

Written By Staff

Ottawa County Parks & Recreation is launching the Connected County Park initiative, a regional effort designed to create healthier, more resilient landscapes by connecting people and nature across public and private lands.

The initiative encourages residents to take simple, meaningful actions, such as planting native species and removing invasive plants, to restore ecosystems and support biodiversity throughout the county. By providing accessible tools, training, and resources, the program aims to remove barriers to participation and empower individuals to become environmental stewards in their own backyards.

“Connected County Park is about creating a shared vision where small, individual actions contribute to a larger, lasting impact,” said Tyler Allyn-White, Stewardship Supervisor for Ottawa County Parks and Recreation. “By working together, we can build a future where natural systems thrive across property lines and throughout our communities.”

The public is invited to celebrate the official launch at a free community event on April 4 from 12 - 3:30 p.m. at Hemlock Crossing Nature Education Center, 8115 West Olive Road, West Olive.

The event is designed to raise awareness of the initiative and inspire participants to take action at home.

Participants will also receive next steps for getting involved, including registering existing plantings, becoming part of the Certified Habitat yard sign program, attending native plant workshops, or starting a native garden at home.

The Certified Habitat yard sign program recognizes residents who are actively restoring their landscapes with native plants. These signs not only celebrate individual efforts but also help raise awareness, inspire neighbors, and build a visible network of connected habitats across the community. Attendees with existing native gardens that meet minimum requirements will have the opportunity to take a sign home at the event.

The event is supported by regional partners including the Ottawa Conservation District, ODC Network, Careerline Tech Center Environmental Field Studies, Land Conservancy of West Michigan, River City Wild Ones, MSU Extension, and the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.

Registration is required to be eligible for door prizes: https://miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=25241269&InterfaceParameter=WebTrac

West Michigan Newspop Digital Partners