Sustainable Land Management and Ecological Restoration Services

See Our Work

About Us:

Established in 2016, ODC Conservation Services provides land management and restoration services, invasive species management, and wildlife habitat and conservation improvement services to public and private landowners throughout West Michigan.

Invasive Species Management

Our integrated approach combines following control methods:
meadow restoration in progress
meadow restoration in progress
completed hillside meadow restoration for Hamilton Community Schools

Ecological Restoration & Habitat Improvement

We are experts in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed through human interaction.
  • Restoration and rehabilitation of degraded prairie.
  • Turf grass conversion into native prairie/meadow.
  • Design and installation of landscape beds or pollinator plots of native plant species to provide a balance of conventional landscaping aesthetics with the added benefit of improving water quality, reduced maintenance, and providing wildlife habitat.
  • Removal of invasive species, reintroduction of native wetland grasses, sedges, shrubs, and wildflowers.
  • Clearing of invasive shrubs, replanting of understory vegetation, and reforestation with native tree species.
  • Please contact us if you are interested in pursuing a native plant project of your own. We propagate over 50 species of native plants in our greenhouse and have the inventory to supply the right balance of plants to thrive in any environment.
  • Our natural area management service helps maintain newly installed restoration projects throughout the 1-3 year establishment period. During this time we apply our expertise to detect and manage invasive species, supplement native plant material, and implement management strategies such as seasonal cutbacks or prescribed burning.
  • Management Plans – Creation of detailed management plans for landowners or maintenance staff to follow in order to properly maintain natural areas and restoration projects.

Shoreline Protection and Erosion Control

As water levels continue to rise in West Michigan, natural shorelines provide a sustainable and affordable alternative to seawalls and hardscapes.

The Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional program (MiCNSP) certifies our organization to implement green landscaping technologies and bioengineered erosion control for the protection of Michigan’s inland lakes and ponds. Our team will carefully create a shoreline protection plan, obtain the required permits, and select the right balance of native plants and erosion control materials in order to restore function to the shorelines of inland lakes.

Projects

Testimonials

The ODC Network

ODC Conservation Services is a proud division of the ODC Network, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2000 with the purpose of advancing outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan.

Testimonials

Ready to start your own project?

The ODC Network

Offering nature-based, small group trips since 2002, the Outdoor Explorer Network is a proud division of the ODC Network, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2000 with the purpose of advancing outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan.