Earth Steward Award — Sault Tribe of

Chippewa Indians, Environmental Department Another year has come and gone. In 2013, the Chippewa

Luce Mackinac Conservation District continued to expand

and grow to meet the needs of landowners in the Eastern

Upper Peninsula.

The Forestry Assistance Program (FAP) and Michigan Agricul-

ture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), both

funded by grants from the Michigan Department of Agricul-

ture and Rural Development, saw increased participation and

interest over the course of 2013. More landowners took ad-

vantage of the technicians and resources available to in-

crease conservation on their land and learn more about land

management.

The District welcomed two new employees in 2013. Mark

Pittenger, from Janesville, Wisconsin joined in March as the

new Conservation Technical Assistance Initiative Engineer.

Mike McCarthy, Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assur-

ance Program Technician from Edmore, Michigan came

aboard in August. Both have proven to be great additions to

the Conservation District team with their passion for the envi-

ronment and promoting good land management practices.

We invite you once again to stop by and explore the work we

are doing and learn how the District can assist you with your

natural resource needs. Our dedication to promoting land

use through education, community projects, and services is

our top priority. We look forward to working with and seeing

you in 2014!

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the District Staff we

wish you all the best for the coming year.

Kind Regards,

Kristina Denison, Executive Director

CHIPPEWA LUCE MACKINAC

CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ANNUAL REPORT

2013 Our mission is to assist with land use and management through education, community projects and services.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many volunteer opportunities for people of all ages at

the District/NRCS. Join the NRCS Earth Team and be a part of

the restoration efforts undertaken each year to help the land.

Assist the District with invasive species pulls, tree planting, out-

reach activities and much more. Stop by or call the office today!

The Earth Steward Award is

given to an individual or

organization that practices

responsible governance

and care for the sustain-

ability of our natural re-

sources. This year the Earth

Steward recipient is the

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of

Chippewa Indians, Environ-

mental Department.

The Sault Tribe Environmental Department has been working

with the Conservation District and Natural Resource Conser-

vation Service for the past several years on a number of pro-

jects. In a windbreak planting benefitting both wildlife and

residents in the Odenaang housing development, the Envi-

ronmental Department not only planted windbreaks but pro-

moted participation of the project to the community and was

able to involve both youth and elders of the tribe. Similarly, a

recently installed high tunnel on Seymour Road will help ex-

tend the short growing season and allow community mem-

bers to participate and assist in the process as the Sault

Tribe plans to use the high tunnel both as a teaching and

learning tool, while supplying locally grown food produced in

it. In addition, the Department is involved and committed to

combating invasive species in the Eastern Upper Peninsula

among many other projects.

The Sault Tribe Environmental Department's dedication to

conservation and education along with the partnerships they

maintain with other natural resource organizations earned

them the Earth Steward of the Year Award. Congratulations!

Tesha Zimmerman, Research Associ-

ate at the Hoop House on Seymour

(Photo courtesy of Brian Beuhler)

From the Director’s Desk...

This year the Spring Tree Sale will be held April 25th and 26th

with pick-up locations in the Sault and Newberry. A variety of

coniferous, deciduous, and fruit trees will be available. Keep an

eye out in early February for our 2014 Spring Tree Sale cata-

logue. To be added to the mailing list e-mail clmcd@macd.org.

You can also download a catalogue at www.clmcd.org.

Spring Tree Sale

Dankenbring, Carr, Cassel, Denison, Pittenger and McCarthy

Natural Resource Conservation Service

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) provided

assistance to over 45 landowners with funded contracts reach-

ing all corners of the service area from Engadine to Mackinac

Island in 2013. These contracts amounted in excess of

$400,000 in funding. The Sault Ste Marie Service Center proudly

handles all programs offered through NRCS, including the Grass

Land Reserve Program, Wetland Reserve Program, Environ-

mental Quality Incentives Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentives

Program, and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

Main issues addressed in 2013 covered by practice installations

and contracts included: Forest Management Plans, Comprehen-

sive Nutrient Management Plans, Heavy Use Area Protection,

High Tunnels, pipelines, watering facilities, wells, and fencing.

NRCS also worked diligently to deliver the Continuous Conserva-

tion Reserve Program, a program administered through the Farm

Service Agency that provides buffers around rivers, streams, and

wetlands.

To learn more

about the NRCS

programs and

how you can

benefit from fi-

nancial and/or

technical assis-

tance, please

stop by the office

to visit with Kent

or Pat or call

(906) 632-9611,

extension 3.

1st Place Hannah Coneset Gr. 5, Soo Township

2nd Place Evan Jones, Gr. 5, Soo Township

3rd Place Drew French, Gr. 4, Engadine Consolidated

Honorable Mention

(Most Creative) Lilly Alaspa, Grade 5, Soo Township

The leaf collection contest is open to all 4th and 5th graders

and requires students to collect leaves and prepare a book with

at least 15 correctly identified leaves. This year 2 schools par-

ticipated and each participant received a coupon for a free tree

from the Spring Tree Sale. To get involved next year for other

educational outreach activities provided by the District please

contact nick.cassel@macd.org or call (906) 635-1278.

Congratulations to all the participants and winners of the 2013

Leaf Collection Contest!

Cooperator of the Year Award — Jonathan Miller

Envirothon is a state-wide environmental education program

geared towards high school students. The Sault Area High

School Envirothon team performed scientific research and util-

ized local and professional organizations to gain knowledge in

various aspects of the natural resources field: agriculture,

aquatic ecology, energy, forestry, soils/geology, wildlife, and

current local environmental issues.

Sault High Environmental Club members for 2013 included

Lisa Casselman, Mary Fentiman, Kyler Hotlen, Zach Johnson,

Kelsey Justin, Sara Kelso, Abby Lucas, and Gabbi Werner. With

the aid of Amanda Bosak (formerly of Bay Mills Indian Commu-

nity), Crystal Bole (Sault Tribe Environmental Program), and

Nick Cassel (CLMCD), the team created a study to assess water

quality in Ashmun Creek, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. They collected

macro-invertebrates via constructed leaf packs they placed in

the stream at numerous sites throughout the river. As certain

species can only live in certain water quality conditions, identifi-

cation provided water quality analysis of the stream.

In March, the team participated in the regional competition at

Bay Mills Community College. They tested in natural resources

topics of forestry, energy, soils, and more. The team took first

place qualifying them for the state competition. Unfortunately,

they were unable to participate due to prior commitments.

The 2013-2014 team is accepting new members. Students

interested in participating can contact Nick Cassel at (906) 635

-1278 or nick.cassel@macd.org

2013 Envirothon Team

Cassel, Casselman, Justin, Kelso, Johnson, and Hotlen

2013 Leaf Collection Contest

A willingness to incorporate conservation practices into land

management and acting as an ambassador for work being done

by NRCS and the Conservation District has earned Jonathan

Miller the Cooperator of the Year Award.

Co-owner of Rich-Lo Dairy, one of the highest milk producing

herds per cow in the UP located near Engadine, Jonathan is al-

ways looking for new ways to increase production while protect-

ing natural resources. In addition to implementing multiple man-

agement practices, Jonathan also used his knowledge and ex-

periences as he served on the Luce/West Mackinac Conserva-

tion District Board of Directors.

Over the years Jonathan has participated in prescribed grazing,

conservation crop rotation, nutrient management, animal waste

utilization, has installed livestock pipelines, an animal waste

facility, reception pit, watering facilities, fencing, spring develop-

ment ponds, and has properly closed abandoned wells on the

property. He has completed no-till seedings, enrolled portions of

the property into the Wetland Reserve Program, and had an

easement placed on his property for wildlife ponds and grass.

Jonathan's involvement and dedication to promoting good con-

servation practices on the land has earned him the 2013 Coop-

erator of the Year award. Congratulations!

Beginning of a wetland enhancement project.

In August 2013, the District welcomed Mike McCarthy as the new Michigan Agriculture

Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Technician.

In 2013, 20 farmstead A-Systs, 11 livestock A-Systs, 12 cropping A-Systs, one green-

house A-Syst, one nursery A-Syst, and two safe food A-Systs were completed. Following

the A-Systs, farmers implemented 433 risk reduction practices, a 263% increase from

2012. Completed system verifications in 2013 included five in farmstead, four in the

cropping, and two in livestock; quadruple the number of new verifications in 2012!

In addition to program A-Systs and verifications, two Phase 1 educational sessions

were held. The first took place in February and focused on hoop house production, a

second occurred in December with a Livestock focus. Between the two events, over 40

farmers earned Phase 1 credits toward becoming MAEAP verified.

With 2013 over, the MAEAP program looks forward to 2014 with ambitious goals to involve even more farms in MAEAP and continue

to assist new and current farmers in achieving verification. To learn how to get involved please contact Mike McCarthy at 906-632-

9611 x101 or e-mail at mike.mccarthy@macd.org.

Forestry Assistance Program

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

The Conservation District completed it’s first full year with a Forestry Assistance Program

(FAP) Forester on staff through grant funding from the Michigan Department of Agriculture

and Rural Development.

The Forester serviced over 90 landowners in 2013 with many learning about their forested

land for the first time through an initial site visit provided by the Forester. Other contacts

resulted in referrals to local Natural Resource Professionals. They provided landowners with

timber harvest planning and execution, forest management plans, tree plantings, food plots

and many other valuable services. The Forester assisted property owners with transfers and

enrollment into the State of Michigan's new Qualified Forest Program. Education and out-

reach remained a high priority to help landowners understand their management options, find opportunities for project funding, and

provide workshops and classes on relevant forestry issues.

For more information about the program or for any forestry related questions, e-mail clmcd@macd.org or call 906-635-1278.

Cooperative Weed Management Area

Outreach and Other Programs

Blanzy teaches students about Forestry.

Waishkey Bay Farm becomes MAEAP Verified!

The Cooperative Weed Management Area was busy in 2013 working on a few large projects

and many small ones. The garlic mustard grant from the Upper Peninsula Resource Conser-

vation & Development Council (UPRCD) funded by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

(NFWF) wrapped up in fall 2013 with 70 acres of garlic mustard treated manually, 11 acres

treated chemically, and over 300 volunteer hours. More than 95 acres of garlic mustard was

eradicated in the EUP under the grant. A new 2013 grant funded by the UPRCD under NFWF

addressed U.P. wide Phragmites removal. Seventeen acres at over 20 sites were treated in

2013. Work continued in partnership with the Superior Watershed Partnership, Lake Supe-

rior State University, and the US Forest Service to continue removal of invasive species in

Piping Plover Habitat at three sites in the Eastern U.P. Over 30 acres were mapped, sur-

veyed, and had manual removal of invasives. In addition, many other projects, services, education, and promotional events were con-

ducted by various private, local, state, tribal, and federal partners. EUP CWMA work could not be done without these partners as well

as the many volunteers! To learn more about invasives or to get involved please contact Nick Cassel, EUP CWMA Coordinator at

nick.cassel@macd.org or (906) 635-1278.

EUP CWMA assists MI DNR with Euro-

pean Frogbit removal efforts at Munus-

cong Bay. (Photo courtesy of Drew

Cassel gives a demonstration.

(Photo courtesy of Bob Smith)

The Conservation District strives to provide education, outreach, and technical services to the resi-

dents and landowners of Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties. We continue to administer the

Part 91 Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program for Chippewa County, put on a spring and

fall tree sale each year, host multiple educational programs and contests, and partner on many other

projects like planting 1000 trees with community partners in 2013 for “Operation Windbreak” to

increase safety on our roads. All of these activities and more are ongoing at the Conservation District

each year. If you would like to get involved or know of opportunities the District could participate in or

assist with, please stop by or call today!

Phone: 906-635-1278

Fax: 1-855-813-7692

E-mail: clmcd@macd.org

Web: www.clmcd.org

2013 Annual Dinner Meeting Minutes

(January 24th, 2013)

The 2012 Annual Meeting Minutes and FY2012 Financial Report were presented in

the 2012 Annual Report. They were accepted as presented by a motion from Orville

Kabat and seconded by Thomas Allan.

Plaques were presented to the winners in the Poster Contest and Leaf

Book Contest by Tom Allan and Nick Cassel. The Earth Steward Award

was presented to Bay Mills Community College, Waishkey Bay Farm by

Kent Dankenbring. The Cooperator of the Year Award was presented

to Wallis Family Farm by Orv Kabat.

The evening concluded with presentations by the District Staff cover-

ing the Forestry Assistance Program, Michigan Agriculture Environ-

mental Assurance Program, and Cooperative Weed Management

Area.

The Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. CLMCD is an equal opportunity employer and program provider.

If you are interested in helping us con-

tinue our work, please consider a dona-

tion or beneficiary contribution. Dona-

tions are tax deductible and all support

is greatly appreciated.

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 330

Chippewa/Luce/Mackinac

Conservation District

2847 Ashmun Street

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

REVENUE EXPENSES

USFS Grant $22,248.00 Annual Meeting $1,450.00

Timber Harvest $20,605.00 Audit $4,998.00

MDA - MAEAP Grant $48,538.00 Insurance $5,184.00

MDA - Forestry Grant $56,928.00 Meetings/Conventions $2,894.00

MDA - CTAI Grant $30,934.00 Rentals $4,106.00

DEQ - 319 Grant $8,045.00 Printing $5,700.00

UPRC&D Grants $25,298.00 Telephone/Internet $2,467.00

Other Grants $9,376.00 Cost of Goods - Tree Sale $17,333.00

Chippewa County Allocation $26,000.00 Education Workshops $2,480.00

Soil Erosion Fees $10,350.00 Employee Salary & Taxes $221,549.00

Equipment/Land Rentals $684.00 Fees, Dues, etc $2,615.00

Tree Sale $27,173.00 Travel/Vehicle Expenses $7,633.00

District Operations $16,555.00 Employee Training $480.00

Donations $459.00 Office Costs $7,148.00

Interest/Refund $1,130.00 Grant/Program Expenses $350.00

TOTAL REVENUE $304,323.00 TOTAL EXPENSES $286,387.00

2013 Board of Directors

Kristina Denison, Executive Director

Mike McCarthy, Michigan Agriculture

Environmental Assurance Program

Technician

Nick Cassel, Outreach and Coopera-

tive Weed Mgmt Area Coordinator

Todd Insley, Field Technician

Hank Lotoszinski, Special Projects

Technician

Mark Pittenger, Conservation Techni-

cal Assistance Initiative Technician

Patrick Blanzy, Forestry Assistance

Program Forester

Forbes McDonald, Board Chair

Orville Kabat, Vice Chair

Tina Love, Treasurer

Jane Bishop, Director

Thomas Allan, Director

Kent Dankenbring, District Conservationist

Pat Carr, Soil Conservation Technician

2013 District Staff

USDA Natural Resource

Conservation Service Staff

Fiscal Year Finances 2012-2013