When Northern Michigan was struck by the devastating ice storm last spring, communities across the region experienced firsthand the challenges that come with natural disasters. In the months that followed, conservation organizations, public agencies, and community leaders began thinking beyond recovery and asking an important question: How can we better prepare for future disasters?
Last fall, the Otsego Community Foundation convened leaders from Northern Michigan's conservation community to discuss the long-term impacts of severe weather events and identify opportunities for collaboration. Those conversations highlighted the importance of sharing resources, coordinating efforts, and educating residents about disaster preparedness and environmental resilience.
Thanks to support from the Otsego Community Foundation's Disaster Response Fund, those discussions have grown into a community-wide initiative. On Saturday, September 26, the Otsego Conservation District, HeadWaters Land Conservancy, and Huron Pines will host the Conservation Convention: Post Storms Community Workshop at Treetops Resort in Gaylord. The free event is designed to connect residents with resources, education, and experts who can help communities prepare for and respond to future disasters.
The Conservation Convention will bring together conservation organizations, emergency management professionals, utility representatives, forestry experts, water quality specialists, and other resource providers for a full day of learning and engagement. Attendees will have opportunities to hear presentations, visit exhibitor booths, ask questions during a community panel discussion, and gain practical information about disaster mitigation and preparation.
"In the wake of the ice storm, it became clear that no single organization could address these challenges alone," said Amanda Sosa, Director of Donor Services for the Otsego Community Foundation. "The Otsego Community Foundation was proud to bring conservation partners together to share ideas, identify needs, and explore opportunities for collaboration. Conservation Con is the next step in that effort, turning those discussions into a community-wide opportunity to learn, connect, and prepare for the future."
The workshop is free and open to the public. Residents, conservation professionals, emergency management personnel, local officials, and community organizations are encouraged to attend. Participants will leave with practical tools, local resources, and actionable steps they can take to protect their property, their families, and their communities.
The Otsego Community Foundation is proud to support this collaborative effort through the Disaster Response Fund, which was established to help our community respond to and recover from emergencies and invest in long-term resilience.
To learn more or register, visit the Conservation Convention event page.
The tornado of 2022 and the ice storm of 2025 reminded us that disasters can arrive when we least expect them. That's why the blue-sky days, the calm periods between emergencies, are the most important time to prepare. Thanks to the generosity of donors supporting the Otsego Community Foundation's Disaster Response Fund, our community can continue investing in partnerships, education, and proactive solutions that strengthen Northern Michigan's ability to face whatever comes next. We invite those who share this vision of preparedness and resilience to support the Disaster Response Fund and help ensure our community has the resources it needs, both in times of crisis and during the blue-sky days that allow us to prepare for the future.
Click here to give to the Disaster Response Fund: https://godonate.akoyago.com/OCF/fund/disaster-response-fund
