Now hiring a Conservation Technician! 

We are currently accepting applications for the position of Conservation Technician. This person will primarily administer the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) program on behalf of SCD and Schoolcraft County but may also work on other administrative tasks and/or grant projects as interests and availability allow. Wage is $20 per hour, with an average of 24 hours a week. Flexible schedule, retirement savings match, and sick leave. 

HOW TO APPLY: Email resume and 3 references to
Ashley Reitter, District Manager, [email protected]. 

​Applications due by 4:00 PM on Monday, February 3, 2025. Position will remain open until filled. Position subject to satisfactory passing of SESC Certified Stormwater Operator and SESC Inspector certification exams.
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Click here to view the full Conservation Technician job description.

Upcoming Events

Conservation Coffee & Open House | Tuesday, January 28 from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Conservation District Office
Join us on our open house day for coffee, goodies, and conversation! Do you have any natural resource related questions we can answer for you, whether it's cost-share programs or what kind of trees to plant? Do you have suggestions for us for future projects or events? Would you just like to enjoy some coffee and conversation? We'd love to see you! Our office is in the building opposite the Manistique School & Public Library.

Great Backyard Bird Count | Friday, February 14 from 2 to 3 PM at the Environmental Education Lab
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a global event run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Participants identify, count, and report birds in their area to help further conservation efforts. Join us at the Environmental Education Lab (at the end of Krummich Road in Manistique) to be a part of this worldwide initiative! Not a birding expert? No worries! You can join us for the hike, and maybe pick up some bird ID skills along the way.

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.

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