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EVENT: The Kellogg Biological Station Presents Program about Endangered Species & Agriculture** 7:30pm DESCRIPTION:   Fifty local residents, students and faculty gathered for an evening on the shores of Gull Lake at the MSU Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) to enjoy a selection of gourmet desserts and hear MSU associate professor of Fisheries and Wildlife Kelly Millenbah describe her research on an emerging relationship between agricultural specialty crop producers and endangered species protection.The May 16th program was the second in an ongoing series of evenings at the Kellogg Station where MSU professors share their research and insights with local residents. The first program, Michigan Wines took place on April 25. This fall, on Tuesday, September 26, Dr. Donald Dickmann will present In Search of Michigan's Forests and on October 24, Dr. Joan Rose will present A Pathogens Day at the Beach. This Dessert with Discussion series is free and open to the public. Prior to the 7:30 p.m. presentation, attendees may choose to enjoy dinner with the presenter in the historic W. K. Kellogg Manor House. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and costs $35 per person.Reservations are required--contact Barbara Baker at 269-671-2263, or e-mail:[email protected]. This series is made possible through a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Dr. Millenbah described her work on a project involving Michigan's tart cherry industry, along with the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, and several other agricultural commodity groups.This unusual collaboration hopes to become a model for the nation, showing how better communication and better scientific data can lead to better conservation policies that protect endangered species and the economic livelihood of agricultural producers. Their key task was to pinpoint critical locations in the state where cherry production and the endangered species coexist.Using GIS computer mapping technology, Dr. Millenbah hopes to create an improved data set showing specific locations where pesticides might conflict with endangered species protection. In the past, generalized maps were used to make pesticide-use decisions.These maps only indicated in which counties the endangered species had been observed; they contained virtually no information on specific locations where the endangered species might actually be living. The partnership hopes that by gathering more accurate information on where all endangered species live, appropriate strategies can be implemented in these specific locations to minimize pesticide impacts. "I'm an optimist" said Dr. Millenbah, "I truly believe that a win-win situation can be achieved here.The cherry producers have demonstrated a strong conservation ethic and a desire to take the lead in ensuring that their crops are grown with regard for protection of the environment." According to Dr. Millenbah, the success of this project has been due to the communication between the partners, allowing them to understand each other's needs and limitations. LOCATION: W.K. Kellogg Biological Station 3700 East Gull Lake Drive CITY: Hickory Corners COUNTY: Calhoun PHONE: (269) 671-2263 E-MAIL: Event E-Mail

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