Extended Conservation Stewards Program: Tri-County Area
February to October 2026
We’re excited to pilot an extended version of our popular Conservation Stewards Programin the tri-county area (Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham). The Extended Conservation Stewards Program keeps the same high-quality, hybrid curriculum and hands-on learning experiences as the original program, but with an extended timeline. The additional time allows participants to engage more deeply with the material, connect with peers, and apply their skills in real-world conservation projects. The pilot version will be instructed and organized by MSU Extension in collaboration with local conservation organizations and experts.
ECSP is a hybrid educational program designed for adults who are enthusiastic about learning science-based ecosystem management principles and sharing this knowledge to improve their local communities. Participants will gain essential strategies to understand, restore, and conserve ecosystems in Michigan. It includes field experiences in various natural areas, online learning, and indoor classes held in unique places. Participants also put their learning into action by working directly with local conservation groups.
For complete program details, please visit the Extended Conservation Stewards Program webpage.
Program Components
- Virtual Lessons
+ Online course content to review and complete on-your-own via the course website prior to each session.
- 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 ECSP webpage.
+ 8 total sessions
- 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 at in-person sessions
+ 2 excused absences are allowed.
- Completion of online content with 80% or above on all online quizzes
- Completion of Capstone Project
Program Requirements
- This program is for adults (18+) only.
- An email is required to participate in this program.
- The sessions will be at various locations throughout the tri-county area. Please review the locations listed on the ECSP webpage to ensure the travel distance is practical for you for all sessions. Attendance is critical to the learning experience and required for a program certificate.
Program Fee: $250
- Registration includes a copy of a "Field Guide to the Natural Communities of Michigan" which will be provided to each participant at the first session of the course.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellation requests on or before Jan. 22, 2026, will be refunded in full less a $25 administrative fee. Cancellations received on or after Jan. 23, 2026, will not be refunded.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for all and help offset the program registration fee. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, first complete the scholarship application below (“Application for an ECSP Scholarship” button). Do not complete the participant registration until you receive an email with details regarding your scholarship application. This email will provide instructions on how to complete your registration for ECSP.
The application for Extended Conservation Stewards Program Scholarships is open.
The application closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on January 18, 2026.
Registration for the Extended Conservation Stewards Program is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on January 18, 2026.
There are 7 openings available.
Accommodations
Michigan State University Extension programs, services events, and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Contact Information
For general questions and registration assistance, please contact Shelby Warner at warner80@msu.edu.
For cohort and content related questions, please reach out to the ECSP lead planner(s), Paige Filice at filicepa@msu.edu, or Alexa Warwick at awarwick@msu.edu.