Our Impact

In 2014, Missaukee County residents and landowners voted for a 0.15 millage to support the Missaukee Conservation District (MCD). The funding enabled the hiring of additional staff and provided for more educational events and conservation programs for the community.

The MCD millage was renewed in 2018 and again in 2024. This renewal of funding allows the continuation of many programs and offerings through the MCD.

To measure the impact our efforts have on the community and the land, we track metrics on our programs and services. This page is dedicated to sharing that information with our community.

The numbers below show the impact during the latest millage timeframe of 2018-2024. Below each image will show the last date the numbers were updated for each program or service. We will work to update the numbers at least once per month.

Environmental Education and Outreach

Missaukee Conservation District has presentations and workshops on water quality, wildlife, soil science, sustainability, and more. An Outreach Coordinator is available to visit your school, library, club, township or local park to run these programs at no charge. Kits on the topics are also available to check out and take home including all of the materials and instructions needed.

Updated 10.2.24

Stream Monitoring

Since 2017, MCD has been collecting stream health data from multiple sites within our county. With the help of volunteers, we are able to collect aquatic bugs & determine the overall health of our watershed. We sample in the Spring and in the Fall and can always use volunteers.

Updated 10.2.24

Bi-Annual Tree and Native Plant Sales

Conservation districts help promote the planting of beneficial trees, fruits, and native plants in our community. Each year, the Missaukee Conservation District puts on a tree seedling sale in the spring and a native plant sale in the fall. This serves both as a fundraiser for the district and as a way to provide low-cost seedlings to the Missaukee County Community.

Land Stewardship

In June of 2021, Joyce Jamieson graciously gifted and 80-acre parcel of land to the Missaukee Conservation District with the stipulations that the character of the land be preserved and that it be used to provide outdoor education opportunities.

With her vision in mind, the MCD has completed the creation of a land management plan with the technical knowledge and assistance of our staff and partners, as well as community input. MCD is currently in the process of applying for grants and seeking funding to support the land in becoming the future home of the "Jamieson Nature Education Center". We have a vision board in our office that the public is always welcome to come check out, we also have land committee meetings each month. Funding from the millage helps support the administration costs of applying for the grants and staff costs associated with the progress and creation of our vision.

Updated 10.2.24

Soil Conservation and Groundwater Protection

The Missaukee Conservation District holds the grant for the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). We house a farm technician that is available to visit farms in the county for FREE to provide technical assistance and work with the farmer on voluntary risk reduction practices. The MAEAP technician serves Missaukee, Crawford, Kalkaska, and Wexford counties. Risk reduction practices include pesticide and fertilizer storage, well water condition, livestock and pasture management, and more. Farms can be verified in four systems including Farmstead, Cropping, Livestock, and Forest, Wetland, and Habitat.

Landowner & Farmer Assistance

In partnership with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), a Conservation Technical Assistance Initiative Technician (CTAI), works with Missaukee County Residents through a grant that the Missaukee Conservation District holds. This soil conservationist position works closely with NRCS to bring Federal Farm Bill dollars into Missaukee County to landowners. Two main programs are used by NRCS called the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Examples of practices implemented are manure storage facilities, pollinator plantings, cover crops, livestock pipelines and more.

Updated 10.2.24

Updated 10.2.24

Forestry

Missaukee Conservation District shares a forester with Wexford who holds the grant for the Forestry Assistance Program. Our district forester provides technical assistance both in-office and on-site at no charge. The forester works with landowners to evaluate the health of their forests and aid in forest management based on the landowners goals. The forester also works with landowners for the Qualified Forest Program (QFP) which is a tax incentives program for forest owners.

Invasive Species Management

The Missaukee Conservation District was a founding member of the North Country Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (NCCISMA), and still sits on their steering committee today. NCCISMA works to educate the public, consult with property owners, and survey the county for invasive species. MCD and NCCISMA often work together for outreach events. NCCISMA serves six counties: Missaukee, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Osceola, and Wexford. They can help assist with identifying invasive species, give guidance on treating invasive species and buying herbicides, give invasive treatment demonstrations, and they have a strike team for hire to control high priority invasives on private property. We are fortunate in Missaukee County that we are in good condition when it comes to invasive species. NCCISMA and MCD work hard together to prevent and treat invasive species to keep our County clean.