Programs & Events

We want you to keep growing in your role, and we make it easy to do without leaving your desk.
Brown Bag Lunch trainings are short, practical sessions you can join over lunch. We record every one and post it on our YouTube page, so if you miss a session live, you can watch it on your own time.
Through NCDEA, your membership also opens up professional development recordings, Convene webinars, and recorded trainings from districts all around the country.
Training costs money, and we do not want that to be the thing that holds you back. CDEM offers scholarships for employee training to help cover the cost of growing your skills.
Through NCDEA, members are also eligible for the Don Aron Scholarship.
Scholarship form link
Good work deserves to be recognized. CDEM members are eligible for employee awards at the regional, state, and national level, including:
Outstanding Conservation District Professional.
Outstanding Conservation District Board Member.
Know someone who goes above and beyond? Nominate them.
- Final awards timeline here:
- Final application here:
CDEM hosts and takes part in events throughout the year. They are a chance to learn, to be recognized, and to spend time with the people who do this work alongside you.
Past events include:
- Annual Auction at the MACDConvention.
- Managers Retreats.
- Trivia Nights at the MACD Convention.
Every year we hold a photo contest that shows off the conservation work happening across Michigan. It is a fun way to share what your district has been up to, and the best shots help all of us tell the conservation story.
Browse past winners in our photo gallery.

Allegan CD is an outstanding example of how local voter support can empower a district to thrive. With millage funding of $650,000 per year since 2020, the district has:

Recovered from the 2008 recession (which left only 1 part-time staff)
Grown to include 7 specialists, including an educator and a restoration coordinator
Invested in cost shares for farmers, community grants, and a new headquarters building

With over $700M in annual agricultural value, diverse ecosystems from Lake Michigan shoreline to state forests, and vibrant agritourism, Allegan CD is a powerhouse in conservation and community partnership.

2025 CDEM Award Winners

Allegan Conservation District

District of the Year

Outstanding Board Member

Shannon Brines

Shannon has built strong partnerships with legislators, community orgs, and conservation agencies. His work includes:

Serving on multiple advisory commissions (Greenbelt, Public Market, etc.)
Practicing agroecology & agroforestry on his own farm
Hosting field days and leading pilot projects
Chairing both the Washtenaw CD Board and Region 10

A true role model in environmental leadership and action.

CDEM Employee of the Year

Jen Ricker-Feak

Jen Ricker-Feak stands out not only for exceptional leadership within her own district but also for her selfless support of others across the state. She’s become the person everyone calls when they need help—whether it’s sorting out QuickBooks, training new staff, or coordinating multi-county projects.

She’s built one of the Upper Peninsula’s most successful and stable districts, expanded partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies, and cultivated a long-term, dedicated team that reflects her values of collaboration, service, and heart.