What Benzie Conservation District does

Benzie Conservation District (BCD) is a Michigan-based, tax-exempt non-regulatory unit of government (IRS ID 38-6080998) founded in 1944 and headquartered in Beulah, Michigan. Operating for over 80 years, it delivers conservation programs across three core pillars: (1) Native Seedling Sales, biannual preorder sales of Michigan-native trees, shrubs, beachgrass, wildflower blends, and grass seeds, supplemented by a year-round BCD Store carrying guides, maps, repellents, and planting supplies; (2) Watershed & Water Quality programs, including the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program (VSMP) collecting macroinvertebrate data at nine Platte, Betsie, and Herring Lakes sites since 2012, Community-Based Monitoring for early Eurasian Watermilfoil detection, and the Northwest Michigan Watersheds Coalition (NMWC) led by BCD since 2011 and expanded regionally in 2022; and (3) Agricultural & Forestry Assistance, comprising MAEAP certification, USDA-NRCS cost-share program delivery (EQIP, CSP), Produce Safety compliance under FSMA, and the Forestry Assistance Program. The organization is governed by a publicly elected Board of Directors and supported by named staff including a Conservation Specialist, Watersheds Coordinator, AIS Coordinator, two District Foresters, and two MAEAP Technicians.

Revenue is generated through four streams: tax-deductible donations and bequests (with tiered giving from $25 to $1,000+), biannual and year-round native seedling/plant sales, online store merchandise, and an endowment-style Future Fund held at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. Additional programmatic funding flows from federal and state grants including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program, US Forest Service, MDARD, and partnerships with MDNR and EGLE. BCD serves landowners, lake associations (Glen Lake, Crystal Lake, Platte Lake, Herring Lakes, Long Lake, Little Platte Lake), farmers pursuing MAEAP certification, and community members engaged through volunteer stream monitoring, river clean sweeps, workshops, and the District Readers book club. Distribution is local-only: seedling pickup at Beulah Village Park Pavilion, in-person office sales, online ordering, and free on-site technical consultations.

Name

Benzie Conservation District

Legal name

Benzie Conservation District

Website

https://benziecd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Benzie Conservation District is a Michigan tax-exempt non-regulatory government unit, founded 1944, delivering conservation programs to landowners, lake associations, and farmers in Benzie County through native seedling sales, volunteer water-quality monitoring, MAEAP certification, and forestry assistance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Administration of Conservation Programs (924120)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Biodiversity Conservation & Habitat Banking (AFAMAMAC)

Keywords

• Natural resource conservation
• Watershed management
• Forestry assistance
• Invasive species management
• Agricultural environmental assurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Beulah

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and charitable contributions: Tax-deductible donations to support general operations, technical support, educational programs, and critical monitoring of Benzie County's natural resources. Also accepts bequests, stock, and pledges.
2. Seedling and plant sales: Biannual native seedling sales featuring Michigan native trees, shrubs, wildflower seeds, grass seeds, and planting supplies. Also year-round sales of trees, grasses, and seeds at the office.
3. Store merchandise: Sales of conservation guides, maps, posters, repellents, yard and plant products through the online store.
4. Future Fund endowment: Endowment fund at Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation to support mission in perpetuity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Benzie Conservation District is a non-regulatory unit of government that provides free site visits, technical assistance, watershed stewardship, and conservation education to landowners, lake associations, and farmers in Benzie County, Michigan. It delivers programs including volunteer stream monitoring, invasive species management, MAEAP certification, NRCS cost-share program enrollment, forestry assistance, and biannual native seedling sales. The district also operates an online store selling native seeds, planting supplies, repellents, conservation guides, and educational materials.

Product overview

Benzie Conservation District operates as a non-regulatory government unit offering a comprehensive portfolio of conservation programs and services organized around three core pillars: (1) Native Seedling Sales providing Michigan-native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers through biannual preorder sales; (2) Watershed & Water Quality programs including the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program (VSMP), Community-Based Monitoring for aquatic invasives, and watershed stewardship across Platte, Crystal Lake, and Herring Lakes watersheds; (3) Agricultural & Forestry Assistance covering MAEAP certification, NRCS program enrollment, Produce Safety compliance, and the Forestry Assistance Program. The BCD Store provides supplementary products including native seeds, planting supplies, tree protection equipment, and educational guides. Educational outreach, volunteer stream cleanups, and invasive species management complete the service ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Native Seedling Sales Biannual preorder sales of Michigan native tree and shrub seedlings, American beachgrass, wildflower seed blends, and grass seeds available for local pickup. Orders accepted online, in person, or by mail with spring (May) and fall (October) pickup windows.
• Benzie Waters Watershed Resources Watershed stewardship services covering three major watersheds (Platte, Crystal Lake/Betsie, and Herring Lakes) including technical assistance, site visits, water quality monitoring, and shoreline management support for landowners and lake associations.
• Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program (VSMP) Biannual stream quality monitoring program that trains volunteers to collect aquatic macroinvertebrates and assess water quality using Stream Quality Index (SQI), Hilsenhoff Biological Index, and EPT family metrics at nine sites within the Platte, Betsie, and Herring Lakes watersheds.
• Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Voluntary certification program helping farmers reduce erosion and runoff into public waters through four categories: Cropping, Livestock, Farmstead, and Forest/Wetlands/Habitat.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Assistance Farm Bill program assistance helping landowners plan and implement conservation practices through cost-share programs including EQIP and CSP, covering cover crops, forest improvement, prescribed grazing, and pollinator habitat development.
• Forestry Assistance Program (FAP) Free site visits and forest management assistance connecting landowners with forestry professionals, providing pest/disease identification, timber sale guidance, and Qualified Forest Program enrollment support.
• Produce Safety Program On-farm produce safety assistance under FSMA Produce Safety Rule, offering risk assessments, readiness reviews, food safety plan development, and grower training through MDARD grant funding.
• Invasive Species Network Collaboration with Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network to identify, report, and manage invasive species threatening local ecosystems, with resources for identification and reporting through MISIN.
• Community-Based Monitoring (CBM) Volunteer shoreline monitoring program for early detection of Eurasian Watermilfoil, training citizens to identify and report invasive aquatic plants through twice-weekly observations during the growing season.
• BCD Store Online store offering conservation-related products including native grass seeds, wildflower blends, planting supplies, tree tubes, repellents, guides, maps, and educational materials.
• Education and Outreach Programs Public education including nature hikes, workshops, volunteer opportunities, beach cleanups, and the District Readers book club for community engagement.
• Platte and Betsie River Clean Sweeps Annual volunteer river cleanup events removing anthropogenic debris from Platte and Betsie rivers in partnership with Boardman River Clean Sweep and Traverse Area Paddle Club.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Northwest Michigan Watersheds Coalition (NMWC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMWC is a working group led by Benzie Conservation District since 2011, expanded in 2022 to include broader geographic coverage. Coalition includes local watershed organizations, conservation groups, and resource managers working to protect watersheds. Formed Steering Committee, Water Smart Land-use Committee, and Aquatic Invasive Species Committee in 2023.
• Glen Lake AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in NMWC working to protect Glen Lake and surrounding watershed areas in northwest Michigan.
• Crystal Lake Watershed AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in NMWC dedicated to protecting Crystal Lake water quality and watershed.
• Platte Lake Improvement AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in NMWC focused on Platte Lake conservation. Also Heartwood Tier sponsor for seedling sales.
• Grand Traverse Regional Land ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts events with BCD including invasive species removal at Crystal Lake Outlet. Partner in conservation efforts for northern Michigan natural areas.
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner providing regulatory oversight and resource management for Michigan's natural resources. Collaborates on watershed protection and forest health initiatives.
• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in water resources protection and management for Michigan's water quality.
• Long Lake AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner representing Long Lake interests in watershed protection efforts.
• Little Platte Lake AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner focused on Little Platte Lake conservation.
• Lower Herring Lake AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner dedicated to Lower Herring Lake watershed protection.
• Boardman River Clean SweepminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for river cleanup efforts, collaborating on Betsie and Platte River Clean Sweeps.
• Traverse Area Paddle ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Betsie and Platte River Clean Sweeps, providing volunteers and stewardship support.
• Cherryland Electric CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeartwood Tier sponsor for native seedling sales. Supports conservation efforts in the region.
• Honor BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeartwood Tier sponsor for native seedling sales.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA program that partners with Conservation Districts to help landowners plan and meet land management goals. Provides cost-share programs including EQIP and CSP. BCD serves as link between private landowners and NRCS.
• Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState program delivered by Benzie Conservation District to help farmers achieve environmental assurance through voluntary pollution prevention practices.
• Michigan Invasive Species Grant ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding source for Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) work managing invasive species populations in the region.
• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal funding initiative supporting ISN work on invasive species management in Great Lakes region.
• US Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding source for Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network.
• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa IndianscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in watershed protection projects and featured as guest speaker at Annual Meeting 2024 on lake sturgeon restoration program.
• Leelanau Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts District Forester for Forestry Assistance Program servicing Benzie, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse County landowners. Co-hosts workshops including Women Owning & Appreciating Woodlands.
• Benzie Shores District LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts educational events including The Hidden World of Aquatic Plants and Oil Pastel Basics workshops.
• Darcy Library of BeulahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts beginner snorkel event and oil pastel basics workshop at library location.
• Beulah OutdoorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts beginner snorkel events for Crystal Lake exploration.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Conservation Fund: National nonprofit focused on land and water conservation including working forests, watershed protection, and rural economies. Operates at scale far beyond BCD but addresses substantively the same landowner-assistance, watershed, and conservation-finance challenges BCD tackles at the county level.
• Huron-Manistee National Forests (USFS): Federal forest system directly bordering Benzie County and a current BCD funder through the US Forest Service Invasive Species Network grant. Comparable forestry, watershed, and habitat-management activities at significantly larger scale, and a frequent coordination partner for BCD's forestry and AIS work.
• The Nature Conservancy (Michigan Chapter): National conservation organization with active Michigan operations covering forest, freshwater, and coastal habitat protection. Operates at much greater scale and budget than BCD, but pursues substantially overlapping goals in watershed and land stewardship relevant to BCD's territory.
• Michigan United Conservation Clubs: State-level nonprofit conservation organization focused on habitat, hunting, fishing, and natural resource policy in Michigan. Broader scope and statewide reach but materially overlapping mission around conservation education, volunteer engagement, and aquatic resource protection.
• Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy: Regional land trust and partner that co-hosts invasive species removal and other events with BCD, including work at Crystal Lake Outlet. Larger geographic footprint and endowment base than BCD, with overlapping conservation, land protection, and stewardship mission across northwest Michigan.

Direct peers

• Grand Traverse Conservation District: Michigan conservation district where BCD's MAEAP Technician Lauren Silver is also staffed; closely comparable in mission, funding sources (NRCS, MAEAP, state grants), and program portfolio covering forestry, agriculture, and watershed stewardship in an adjacent county.
• Leelanau Conservation District: Sister Michigan conservation district sharing a District Forester (Jacob Bournay) with BCD and co-hosting landowner workshops such as Women Owning & Appreciating Woodlands. Operates under the same Michigan conservation district model serving an adjacent county with the same program pillars (forestry, MAEAP, watershed).
• Manistee Conservation District: Adjacent Michigan conservation district operating under the same state statute and program framework (NRCS, MAEAP, forestry assistance, watershed work), making it a near-direct peer on operations, funding mix, and customer base of farmers and landowners in northwest Michigan.

Others

• National Association of Conservation Districts: National umbrella association for the U.S. conservation district system, of which BCD is a member unit. Provides funding access, advocacy, and programmatic resources that materially shape BCD's operating environment and funding opportunities.

Regional players

• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (NPS): Federal protected area in northwest Michigan adjacent to BCD's territory that conducts shoreline, dune, and watershed stewardship and education. Operates under a different governance model (federal NPS) but pursues comparable conservation and public-education outcomes in the same regional ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/benziecd
• Xx.com/benzieconserv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/benzieconservationdistrict

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Benzie Conservation District