The Van Buren Conservation District hosted its third Backyard Symposium in February 2023. The series is called “Building a Better Backyard: Branching Beyond Your Backyard.”

Van Buren County is home to many outdoor recreational opportunities provided by private organizations and the State of Michigan, most notably the Kal-Haven and Van Buren Trails. You can find a casual stroll along a beach, a steep climb up the Lake Michigan dunes or a hearty multi-mile hike among recovering forests and along well established wetlands all within our county.

This presentation will go over cycling opportunities in Van Buren County and Southwest Michigan, with cycling tips for a safe and happy ride.

Paddlers in Van Buren County are fortunate to have three distinct types of paddling experiences available to them, including numerous inland lakes, Lake Michigan, and the Black River and Paw Paw River. These paddling experiences are very different from one another and require different skill sets and equipment. This presentation will be an overview of how to safely enjoy these paddling opportunities.