What EATON CONSERVATION DISTRICT does

Eaton Conservation District (ECD) is a local unit of Michigan state government established in 1946, headquartered at 551 Courthouse Drive, Charlotte, Michigan. ECD operates as one of 75 Conservation Districts in Michigan under the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, governed by a five-member elected board of directors serving four-year terms. The organization delivers voluntary, non-regulatory conservation services across Eaton County, with select programs extending into adjacent counties through the Mid-Michigan CISMA (Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia) and a Produce Safety Technician role covering eight counties.

The portfolio of programs includes MAEAP (Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program) verification for cropping, livestock, farmstead, and forest/wetland/habitat systems; USDA NRCS Farm Bill program delivery (EQIP, CSP, ACEP, RCPP) with two co-located NRCS staff; stream monitoring in partnership with the University of Olivet and Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps); watershed management planning for the Middle Grand River (258 square miles) and Battle Creek River (187,000 acres) watersheds; well water testing; invasive species coordination; equipment rentals (Invasive Species Injectors, Pheasants Forever No-till Drills); the Charlotte Forest Garden community food forest; native plant and tree sales; the Science Adventure Camp; and an AG Plastics Recycling pilot. Core staff comprises approximately eight personnel (Executive Director, Agriculture Specialist/MAEAP Technician, Watershed Coordinator, Development and Event Coordinator, Bookkeeper, plus two USDA/NRCS staff), supported by three affiliate staff.

ECD's revenue model is mixed and typical of small Michigan Conservation Districts: pass-through grants from state and federal agencies (MDNR, MDARD, EGLE, USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Lakes Commission), charitable donations and corporate sponsorships, an online Conservation Store selling trees, native plants, seeds, apparel, and conservation media, and equipment rental income with proceeds supporting conservation programming. Distribution is primarily event-driven and community-led, with seasonal store pickups at the Eaton County Fairgrounds, Farm Field Days, Pasture Walks, and the Conservation Carnival, supplemented by direct on-farm technical assistance and office-based services.

Name

EATON CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Legal name

Eaton Conservation District

Website

https://eatoncd.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Eaton Conservation District is a Michigan local government unit established in 1946 that delivers voluntary conservation programs, including MAEAP verification, watershed planning, stream monitoring, well water testing, and equipment rentals, to farmers, landowners, and residents of Eaton County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation and Environmental Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Conservation Programs (924120), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Threatened & Endangered Species (TES) / Protected Species Surveys & Compliance (EUAHAHAD)

Keywords

• Soil conservation services
• Watershed management planning
• Agricultural environmental programs
• Native plant sales
• Well water testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Store Sales: Sales of trees, shrubs, berries, native plants, apparel, conservation books, supplies, and equipment rentals. All proceeds support conservation efforts in Eaton County.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Tax-deductible charitable contributions under IRS Code 170(c)(1). Corporate sponsorships available for events and programs. 83% of community survey respondents indicated willingness to support financially.
3. Grants and Government Funding: Funding from Michigan Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MDARD Regenerative Agriculture Education and Outreach Grant, and EGLE scrap tire grants.
4. Equipment Rentals: Rental of Invasive Species Injector ($50 refundable deposit) and Pheasants Forever No-till Drill ($20/acre with $50 deposit). Revenue supports conservation programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Eaton Conservation District is a local unit of Michigan state government that delivers voluntary, confidential conservation programs and technical assistance to Eaton County residents, farmers, and landowners. Its core offerings include MAEAP environmental risk verification, USDA NRCS Farm Bill program facilitation, free well water testing, stream and watershed monitoring, native plant and tree sales, conservation equipment rentals, and community education through workshops and the Science Adventure Camp.

Product overview

Eaton Conservation District offers a portfolio of conservation programs and services focused on natural resource management in Eaton County, Michigan. The organization operates primarily as a local government unit providing technical assistance, education, and equipment rentals rather than a software product company. Core programs include watershed planning and stream monitoring, well water testing, native plant and tree sales, equipment rentals (invasive species injectors and no-till drills), and agricultural programs through MAEAP and USDA NRCS partnerships. The Conservation Store sells native plants, trees, shrubs, and conservation-themed merchandise. Educational initiatives include the Charlotte Forest Garden community project, Science Adventure Camp, and various workshops on invasive species, forestry, and conservation practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MAEAP (Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program) Voluntary, confidential program helping Eaton County farmers and landowners assess soil and water quality risks across four categories: Cropping, Livestock, Farmstead, and Forest/Wetlands/Habitat. Delivered by ECD staff serving as MAEAP Technicians with MDARD oversight.
• USDA NRCS Conservation Programs Facilitation of federal Farm Bill conservation programs including ACEP, CRP, CSP, EQIP, and RCPP through co-located NRCS staff providing financial and technical assistance for conservation measures.
• Produce Safety Program Free on-farm technical assistance for produce growers including Produce Safety Risk Assessment, Food Safety Plans, On-Farm Readiness Reviews, and Produce Safety Certification across Ottawa, Kent, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Clinton, Ionia, and Montcalm counties.
• Well Water Testing Free rapid nitrate/nitrite testing for residential well water samples, available at the ECD office and events. Uses standardized collection protocols and MDHHS-approved testing methods in partnership with MAEAP.
• Stream Monitoring Program Collaborative volunteer-based stream monitoring in partnership with The University of Olivet and Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), collecting and identifying macroinvertebrates to calculate water quality scores in the Upper Thornapple River watershed.
• Watershed Management Planning Development of watershed management plans for the Middle Grand River (258 sq miles) and Battle Creek River (187,000 acres) watersheds, including E.coli monitoring, source tracking, dam removal, and stream restoration project implementation.
• Conservation Equipment Rentals Rental of Invasive Species Injectors for treating Japanese knotweed and phragmites ($50 refundable deposit) and Pheasants Forever No-till Drills for conservation planting ($20/acre, 1.5 acre minimum, $50 non-refundable deposit).
• Mid-Michigan CISMA (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area)

Quantifiable outcome

• Stream monitoring provides water quality data to EGLE for best management practices
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide voluntary program administered through local conservation districts to help landowners assess and address soil and water quality risks. ECD staff serve as MAEAP Technicians providing confidential, non-regulatory assessments.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing conservation programs and technical assistance. NRCS staff are co-located at ECD office (Soil Conservationist and District Conservationist) to deliver Farm Bill Programs including EQIP, CSP, ACEP, and RCPP.
• The University of OlivetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Eaton County Collaborative Stream Monitoring Program. Students and community volunteers participate in macroinvertebrate collection and identification to assess water quality in the Upper Thornapple River watershed.
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR/DNR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding through Community Forestry Grant for Charlotte Forest Garden (89 trees, 5 workshops, Youth Tree Stewardship Program, 12 educational signs) and other conservation projects.
• Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOversees MAEAP verification process and provides funding through Regenerative Agriculture Education and Outreach Grant supporting farmer network field days and educational programs.
• Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of volunteers gathering water quality data from streams and lakes. MiCorps grants helped establish ECD's Stream Monitoring Program. Data is shared with EGLE for watershed protection.
• Mid-Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (MM-CISMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership covering Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, and Ionia counties established 2016 through Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program. Coordinates invasive species prevention, early detection, and rapid response across jurisdictions.
• Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization connecting Michigan's 75 Conservation Districts. ECD staff email addresses use @macd.org domain. MACD provides resources, training, and advocacy for local conservation districts.
• Charlotte Area Recreation Cooperative (CARC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner providing land for Charlotte Forest Garden project at CARC Park. Ongoing collaboration for community conservation and recreation programs.
• General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC)-CharlottemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization that created initial design for Charlotte Forest Garden in 2023 and continues as project partner through their Environment Committee.
• Woldumar Nature CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Native Plant Sale and Annual Meeting events. Partnership includes joint presentations and educational programming on conservation topics.
• Michigan Water Stewardship ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide educational partnership providing water quality information to Michigan residents through website resources, homeowner checklists, youth activities, and educator lesson plans.
• Michigan State University ExtensionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExtension educators collaborate on produce safety (On-Farm Readiness Reviews) and agricultural education programs including Farm Field Days.
• Charlotte Fire DepartmentminorOthersCommunity partner supporting Charlotte Forest Garden project and local conservation initiatives.
• US Fish and Wildlife ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided funding through Fish America grant for Battle Creek River restoration and collaborated on Narrow Lake Fish Passage Project.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Woldumar Nature Center: Lansing-area nature center that hosts ECD events (Native Plant Sale, Annual Meeting) and provides environmental education programming. Comparable in nature education, conservation programming, and regional footprint to ECD's Charlotte Forest Garden and Science Adventure Camp.
• Barry Conservation District: Michigan Conservation District serving Barry County, which geographically overlaps with ECD's Battle Creek River Watershed work. Direct peer in structure, programs, and revenue model.
• Blandford Nature Center: Grand Rapids-area nature center providing environmental education, land stewardship, and conservation programming. Referenced in ECD staff's professional history; comparable in nature-based education, conservation messaging, and community engagement model.
• Jackson Conservation District: Michigan Conservation District providing MAEAP verification, watershed management, and conservation education services. Structurally identical to Eaton CD under the statewide CD network.
• Kent Conservation District: Another Michigan Conservation District under the same MACD umbrella, providing MAEAP, watershed, and conservation education services to Kent County. Directly comparable in mandate, structure, funding model, and program portfolio to Eaton CD.
• Calhoun Conservation District: Michigan Conservation District serving Calhoun County (Battle Creek River watershed overlap with ECD). Comparable as a local unit of state government administering MAEAP, NRCS programs, and watershed planning with similar grant funding mix.
• Lenawee Conservation District: Michigan Conservation District administering MAEAP, NRCS, and watershed programs in Lenawee County. Same statutory structure, program mix, and state-authorized service mandate as Eaton CD.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD): National nonprofit that supports the network of over 3,000 conservation districts across the United States. Provides the broader policy, funding, and programmatic framework within which ECD and its state network operate.
• Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD): Statewide umbrella organization coordinating all 75 Michigan Conservation Districts, including ECD (staff use @macd.org email domain). Provides training, advocacy, and resource coordination; ECD operates as a constituent member.
• The Nature Conservancy (Michigan Chapter): Larger conservation nonprofit operating in Michigan on land preservation, watershed protection, and biodiversity conservation. Overlapping mission with ECD's watershed and habitat work but operates at significantly greater scale and with private funding rather than government grants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eaton-conservation-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EATON CONSERVATION DISTRICT