Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species! Boating season is just around the corner, and with it comes the potential spread of aquatic invasive hitchhikers like zebra mussels, Eurasian water milfoil, and European frogbit--all of which can do tremendous damage to local ecosystems and quickly outcompete beneficial native species. Help prevent AIS spread by making sure to Clean, Drain, Dry your equipment and watercraft between uses.

This summer, we'll be continuing to work on our Michigan Invasive Species Grant (MISG) project at boat launches throughout Schoolcraft and Delta Counties. Learn more about our efforts to prevent AIS, and where you can find us for a free boat wash, here.

Warbler Wonderland 2025

May 17 & 18 in Manistique, MI

Tickets for our third annual Warbler Wonderland birding festival are available now! The greater Manistique area sits on the highway of spring warbler migration, and its wealth of habitat, including along the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan, makes it a perfect place to see a variety of other bird species. Join us on the weekend of May 17 & 18 as we tour known birding hotspots under the guidance of local bird experts. Our Saturday afternoon session will feature a social hour and keynote speaker (TBA). 

Tickets are $20 and include transportation, snacks, and a commemorative t-shirt. Reserve your spot today! Visit our Warbler Wonderland page to learn more.

Warbler Wonderland Tickets

$20.00

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District Activities

Region 2 Employee of the Year

We want to give a huge congratulations to District Manager Ashley Reitter for receiving the Region 2 Conservation District Employee of the Year Award from the Conservation District Employees of Michigan! Ashley joined SCD in 2020 and has breathed new life into the district in the four years since. Among a myriad of other accomplishments, she initiated our Community Conservation Grants Program, spearheaded our Warbler Wonderland birding festival, led the district in acquiring over $203,000 of grant funding, established our annual native plants sale, and shared her extensive knowledge through everything from workshops to site visits. In her role as district manager, she has navigated both professional and personal struggles with aplomb, bringing true passion to her work while also serving as a paragon of kindness, compassion, and generosity. We want to extend a very sincere thank you to Ashley for her years of service; both the district and wider Schoolcraft community have truly been blessed by her knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication.

​Emerald Elementary School Pollinator Garden

Earlier this year, we were fortunate enough to be awarded a grant from the Wildflowers Association of Michigan to fund the establishment of a new pollinator garden outside Emerald Elementary School's front entrance. We were busy earlier this summer preparing the site (formerly an unused strip of lawn), and most recently had fourth and fifth grade classes from both Emerald and St. Francis Elementary School to help us with planting. 

We still have a bit of work to do before the garden will be complete, including creating the sign (which will be bordered by pictures of pollinators as drawn by all of Emerald's students), but we're thrilled with how it's looking so far! Thank you to our amazing volunteers, as well as Emerald's staff and faculty, for helping us bring this project to life.

Meet Us at the Farmers' Market

We're proud supporters of our local Farmers' Market! The Manistique Farmers' Market 2025 season will start on May 28 and run every Wednesday from 5-6:30 PM alongside Triangle Park in Manistique. SCD hosts a booth where we provide educational materials, free seeds through our seed library, and sell canvas bags that can be used to carry market produce. Be sure to drop by to say hello and support our local growers. More information on the market and vendors can be found on the market Facebook page.

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