Our Mission
Our mission is to provide leadership in the natural resource management of Kalkaska County, deliver conservation assistance and information to residents and visitors, and ensure quality implementation of conservation practices.
BioChar 101 Workshop on 09/23/2023 at Copper Ridge Farm in South Boardman.
We recognize that our County has both opportunities and challenges related to conservation and that KCD plays a unique role in working with property owners, land users and community leaders to address the needs of our beautiful and vibrant region. Supporting data of desired Conservation District services and challenges that stakeholders identified can be found in the attached appendix.
Our 3-year plan focuses on leveraging our strengths to grow programs, services and initiatives that address both conservation opportunities and challenges. We will strive to be a strong community partner in creating a County that is a showcase of recreational, economic, and sustainable living opportunities. We hope you will be excited by the possibilities and invite you to join us in working toward a shared vision.
“From every conceivable angle—economic, social, cultural, public health, national defense—conservation of natural resources is an objective on which all should agree.
”
What We've Achieved
19,836 pounds of household hazardous waste collected from 151 county residents at the 2023 collection.
Annual tree seedling sale to raise funds for educational programs. 43,055 trees were planted in the spring of 2023.
Awarded a Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant in 2023 to install a boat decontamination station at Sands Park Boat Launch on Manistee Lake. Through this grant, KCD also hosted two MSU-E Mobile Boat Wash days at Bear Lake & Manistee Lake, washing 11 boats and educating over 40 boaters.
Completed 45 site visits on 2400 acres in 2023 to assist landowners with forest health and erosion concerns.
Staff completed Project Learning Tree Certification to work closer with local school and library programs.
Volunteers donated 457 hours of their time in 2023, totaling a value of $14,624.
From October 2022 to October 2023, the KCD hosted and co-hosted a total of 89 outreach and education events (51 for youth and 38 for adults).