Conservation on Tap 2025-2026

Due to staff transition, we will be taking a break from Conservation on Tap this winter. We look forward to bringing it back for the 2026-2027 winter season!

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During the winter of 2022/2023, the Ottawa Conservation District initiated is first annual Conservation on Tap speaker series. This speaker series is held once a month for three months from December to February and local experts give presentations highlighting conservation topics important to Ottawa County residents in collaboration with a local brewery for a casual learning and networking experience. This event allows Ottawa County residents to not only learn a few things about local conservation, but also allows for residents to connect with Ottawa Conservation District staff and learn more about District programs relating to the conservation topics presented on.

A goal of this event is to collaborate with a new brewery, winery, cidery, etc each year throughout Ottawa County. These events are free to attend, but we highly encourage all participants to support our hosts by enjoying a craft beverage or delicious grub! Many of our gracious hosts over the years have also donated a portion of their profits during our events to the Ottawa Conservation District to help continue free educational opportunities for all Ottawa County residents. Thank you to the following hosts for both financial donations or space donations during past events!

  • Grand Armory (2022-2023) – Donated their space for the event and $600 to help with a local elementary native planting project.
  • Trail Point Brewing (2024) – Donated their space for the event and $145 to help support our annual native plant sale.
  • New Holland Brewing and Tanglewood Winery (2024-2025) – Donated their spaces for the event!

Topics covered so far include: Groundwater Conservation, How to Save Water at Home, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Management Efforts, Benefits of Planting Native Trees & Shrubs, Benefits of Planting Pollinator Strips, Nonpoint Source Pollution & Water Quality, Climate Change, and Michgian Forestry. Stay tuned to see which brewery we collaborate with next, or shoot us an email with location and/or topic suggestions to sarah.bowman@macd.org.