What is a conservation District?​

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS ARE LOCAL UNITS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE THAT EXIST TO SOLVE TODAY'S CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROBLEMS. WE ARE A FREE RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND HAVE MANY PROGRAMS THAT SEEK TO HELP LANDOWNERS MAKE DECISIONS THAT SERVE BOTH THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEMSELVES. 

What do we do?​

We are here to help YOU! The Marquette County Conservation District has staff with specialized skills that can be your resource for any conservation concern.  Our staff is available to provide technical support to landowners and community members as requested, but we also complete several conservation projects throughout the county each year. Our goal is always to choose projects that benefit both the community and the environment! Here are some of the programs we offer to help our community:
  • Forestry Management 
  • Produce and Agricultural Safety
  • Invasive Species Management 
  • Pollinator Planning ​
  • Stream Monitoring
  • Environmental Education
  • Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat
  • Wetland Mitigation 
  • Soil Conservation

how can we help you?

Do you own land in Marquette County? Our District Staff provides technical assistance to county residents on natural resource matters, and we are available to make free site visits to help you with your land!​
WE CAN HELP YOU...
  • Join cost share programs to get funding and tax breaks for your conservation projects.
  • Choose native wildflowers, trees, and shrubs that will succeed on your land.
  • Create a forest management plan to create healthy wildlife habitat on your land.
  • Connect with local logging companies to sustainably manage timber on your land.
  • Address water quality concerns.
  • Remove invasive plants.

A Glimpse into what we do...

We are a primarily grant funded operation, what does that mean?

For the first time since 2008, Michigan Conservation Districts have received state funding! In 2022, we will receive $40k from the state, and in 2023 and 2024 we will receive ~$25k. This state funding is very important for Conservation Districts, and from 2008-2021, Michigan Conservation Districts did not receive any state funding due to budget cuts. In order to pay our employees and continue our conservation work, we have raised funds through our Annual Tree and Wildflower sales, and have relied heavily on grant funding! Grants have funded the bulk of our work, from invasive species removal, to culvert replacements, to habitat improvement - grant money from sources like the DNR and EGLE is essential to our work.  Grants often require "match", meaning the grantee must provide a certain amount of their own money to qualify. Our state funding will allow us to leverage more lucrative grants as we will now have the match to qualify! 

Please consider contacting one of the representatives below
to encourage them to continue funding Conservation Districts!

Governor Gretchen Whitmer
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909 
(517) 373-3400
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT COMMENT
State Representative Sara Cambensy, District 109
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
(517) 373-0498
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT COMMENT
State Representative Greg Markkanen, District 110
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
(517) 373-0850
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT COMMENT
​State Senator Ed McBroom, District 38
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
(517) 373-7840
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT COMMENT