Landowners in Mecosta, Osceola, and Lake counties place a high priority on the management of their property and the natural resources found there. To better assist landowners with management of these resources, Soren Murphy is available to meet with landowners at no cost to discuss management options for their property.

Phone: 231-408-3567

Email: soren.murphy@macd.org

Soren's service area covers Osceola, Mecosta, and the East Half of Lake County. His office is located at the USDA Service Center in Big Rapids.

The Mecosta Conservation District is thrilled to announce a generous $5,000 donation from Cargill, Inc. to support an initiative aimed at helping local landowners in Mecosta, Osceola, and the Eastern Half of Lake counties diagnose and manage tree diseases that threaten the region’s valuable forest resources. The funding will help cover diagnostic testing costs, including those for Oak Wilt, Verticillium Wilt, Dutch Elm Disease, Needlecast Disease, and more.

The Mecosta Conservation District expects to assist at least 100 landowners with the funds available. If there is a high level of interest, additional grant opportunities will be explored to extend the program. Interested landowners should contact District Forester Soren Murphy to evaluate if tree disease testing is warranted. Depending on the situation, Soren may request pictures and schedule a site visit prior to testing. Once test results are received, the District Forester is committed to assisting landowners with the next steps in forest management to ensure the health of their trees and long-term sustainability.

Early detection of diseases like Oak Wilt is key to preventing further spread. Oak Wilt, in particular, is a highly contagious fungal disease that threatens oak trees, one of Michigan’s most important and iconic tree species. If not detected early and managed properly, Oak Wilt can spread rapidly and result in the death of hundreds of trees in a relatively short time. 

Other diseases such as Dutch Elm Disease and Verticillium Wilt can similarly devastate forests, threatening biodiversity and reducing forest resilience in the face of climate change. Proactive testing and management are critical in controlling these diseases, preventing further loss, and safeguarding the forested landscapes that contribute to the quality of life in these counties.

For more information about the tree disease testing initiative or to get involved, contact the Mecosta Conservation District Forester, Soren Murphy, 

at 231-408-3567 or soren.murphy@macd.org. To apply for tree testing, please click the button below to complete an application.