2024: A Look at Our New Year
With 2023 now wrapped up, the Schoolcraft Conservation District (SCD) has begun to look ahead to our work for the upcoming year. Starting in February, we will be conducting our Conservation Needs Assessment (CNA), a survey conducted every five years to gather input from the public about conservation concerns and priorities. This survey is invaluable to us in determining what programs to pursue and ensuring we are listening to the voices of the communities that support us. A digital CNA form will be available via our website (schoolcraftcd.org) and social media. Physical forms will be available at our office and outreach events.
Spring is also the time for our annual tree sale, which includes the sale of fruit trees, hardwoods, conifers, and shrubs. Species are selected based on their suitability for Schoolcraft’s climate; visitors to Schoolcraft are encouraged to look into tree sales held by their home conservation districts to find the right fit for their area. The sale will begin on February 19. Orders can be placed online or by calling our office at (906) 286-2890. Pickup will take place during the last week of April.
We’ll be kicking off the summer season with our Michigan Invasive Species grant project thanks to funding from the Michigan DNR, EGLE, and MDARD. This project, aimed at preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, will involve public education initiatives and boat washing throughout Schoolcraft and Delta Counties. Hiring for our boat washing crews is ongoing; those interested in applying can call our office or contact project coordinator Sara Solberg at sara.solberg@macd.org.
On the subject of grants: we’re thrilled to announce that we were recently awarded an Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the DNR, which pending SCD board approval will allow us to plant trees on public lands across Manistique this summer. Increased urban canopy cover has been linked to a variety of positive outcomes, including mental and physical health benefits, and we hope this will impact our community for the better. Keep an eye on our website and social media pages for updates, including how to give your input on planting locations.
Just as the SCD has been awarded these funding opportunities, we’re pleased to be able to give similar opportunities to our community. Last year, the SCD’s Community Grant Program helped fund the creation of the Manistique Public Garden and a fish passage culvert replacement near Ross Lake. This year, we are again offering grants of up to $1,000 for conservation-related projects in Schoolcraft County during 2024. Application forms are available on our website and can be submitted through March 28.
The SCD also has several scholarship opportunities for youth summer camp attendance, teacher continuing education programs, and postsecondary students. Award amounts and application deadlines vary, so please visit our website for more details on each.
Each of these efforts is only possible because of the ongoing generosity and enthusiasm of our community. Thank you for making 2023 such a rewarding year for us, and for your continuing support as we move into 2024.
Spring is also the time for our annual tree sale, which includes the sale of fruit trees, hardwoods, conifers, and shrubs. Species are selected based on their suitability for Schoolcraft’s climate; visitors to Schoolcraft are encouraged to look into tree sales held by their home conservation districts to find the right fit for their area. The sale will begin on February 19. Orders can be placed online or by calling our office at (906) 286-2890. Pickup will take place during the last week of April.
We’ll be kicking off the summer season with our Michigan Invasive Species grant project thanks to funding from the Michigan DNR, EGLE, and MDARD. This project, aimed at preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, will involve public education initiatives and boat washing throughout Schoolcraft and Delta Counties. Hiring for our boat washing crews is ongoing; those interested in applying can call our office or contact project coordinator Sara Solberg at sara.solberg@macd.org.
On the subject of grants: we’re thrilled to announce that we were recently awarded an Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the DNR, which pending SCD board approval will allow us to plant trees on public lands across Manistique this summer. Increased urban canopy cover has been linked to a variety of positive outcomes, including mental and physical health benefits, and we hope this will impact our community for the better. Keep an eye on our website and social media pages for updates, including how to give your input on planting locations.
Just as the SCD has been awarded these funding opportunities, we’re pleased to be able to give similar opportunities to our community. Last year, the SCD’s Community Grant Program helped fund the creation of the Manistique Public Garden and a fish passage culvert replacement near Ross Lake. This year, we are again offering grants of up to $1,000 for conservation-related projects in Schoolcraft County during 2024. Application forms are available on our website and can be submitted through March 28.
The SCD also has several scholarship opportunities for youth summer camp attendance, teacher continuing education programs, and postsecondary students. Award amounts and application deadlines vary, so please visit our website for more details on each.
Each of these efforts is only possible because of the ongoing generosity and enthusiasm of our community. Thank you for making 2023 such a rewarding year for us, and for your continuing support as we move into 2024.