Announcements, News Articles & Upcoming Events
Meet Our New MAEAP Technician, Karen Ickes
My name is Karen Ickes and I am very excited to be serving producers in Clare and Osceola Counties as the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Technician! I grew up with cousins who raised beef cattle and pigs and have spent some time on dairy farms. I have a small amount of land myself and raise chickens, as well as, a small garden. I am hoping to expand in the future to include dairy and beef cattle, and pigs.
I come from a nature loving family and have always had a passion for the outdoors. I enjoy hunting and hiking in my free time. I received a Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management from Grand Valley State University and am finishing up a Master’s degree in wildlife management at the University of Michigan. I have worked seasonally in natural resource and outdoor education positions since 2005. My favorite jobs have involved working with the public, so I am eager to start meeting and working with producers!
The MAEAP program is voluntary, confidential, and helps farms of any size and commodity minimize agricultural pollution risks. Give me a call at 231-832-2950 ext 101 or email me at karen.ickes@macd.org to set up an appointment.
I come from a nature loving family and have always had a passion for the outdoors. I enjoy hunting and hiking in my free time. I received a Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management from Grand Valley State University and am finishing up a Master’s degree in wildlife management at the University of Michigan. I have worked seasonally in natural resource and outdoor education positions since 2005. My favorite jobs have involved working with the public, so I am eager to start meeting and working with producers!
The MAEAP program is voluntary, confidential, and helps farms of any size and commodity minimize agricultural pollution risks. Give me a call at 231-832-2950 ext 101 or email me at karen.ickes@macd.org to set up an appointment.
Come See Us at the Harrison Street Fair and Bring your Water
Hello,
Feel free to join the Clare CD August 26th and 27th at the 10th Annual Harrison Street Fair. This would be an excellent time to meet our new staff.
We will be selling milkweed seeds and we have goodies for your children as well. Milkweed is the only host plant of monarch caterpillar will eat. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the 2016 count confirmed that the monarch butterfly has decreased 68 percent in 22 years. However, this years climate has been favorable to the butterflies and the 2015 count exposed that the monarchs have dropped to 80 percent over a 20 year average. This is possible due to the fact that a single storm can wipe out millions. So please help us save the monarch butterflies and plant some milkweed seeds. We will also be selling native wildflower seeds. These wildflowers can attract native insects and butterflies.
Our new MAEAP Technician, Karen Ickes, will offer testing water for nitrates and nitrites. Please bring in water from your tap or well with you to the Street Fair.
Thank you
Source: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/invertebrates/monarch_butterfly/
Feel free to join the Clare CD August 26th and 27th at the 10th Annual Harrison Street Fair. This would be an excellent time to meet our new staff.
We will be selling milkweed seeds and we have goodies for your children as well. Milkweed is the only host plant of monarch caterpillar will eat. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the 2016 count confirmed that the monarch butterfly has decreased 68 percent in 22 years. However, this years climate has been favorable to the butterflies and the 2015 count exposed that the monarchs have dropped to 80 percent over a 20 year average. This is possible due to the fact that a single storm can wipe out millions. So please help us save the monarch butterflies and plant some milkweed seeds. We will also be selling native wildflower seeds. These wildflowers can attract native insects and butterflies.
Our new MAEAP Technician, Karen Ickes, will offer testing water for nitrates and nitrites. Please bring in water from your tap or well with you to the Street Fair.
Thank you
Source: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/invertebrates/monarch_butterfly/
Meet Bryan, our Forester
My name is Bryan Shideler and I’d like to introduce myself as the new Conservation District Forester for Clare and Gladwin Counties.
I recently earned a Master of Forestry degree from Michigan Technological University and possess an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from Indiana University. I’ve previously worked with the Indiana and Michigan DNR, and have experience in a wide variety of outdoors work.
Originally from Indiana, I’ve only recently moved to the area full time. I’m familiar with the region from frequent trips to my family’s forested property in Missaukee County, where I have spent a lot of time. Some of my hobbies include: hiking, fishing, hunting, and looking for mushrooms.
I’m excited to help out landowners effectively manage their forestland. To reach me with any forestry-related questions, or to schedule a free site visit, email me at bryan.shideler@macd.org or call me at (989) 539-6401. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
I recently earned a Master of Forestry degree from Michigan Technological University and possess an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from Indiana University. I’ve previously worked with the Indiana and Michigan DNR, and have experience in a wide variety of outdoors work.
Originally from Indiana, I’ve only recently moved to the area full time. I’m familiar with the region from frequent trips to my family’s forested property in Missaukee County, where I have spent a lot of time. Some of my hobbies include: hiking, fishing, hunting, and looking for mushrooms.
I’m excited to help out landowners effectively manage their forestland. To reach me with any forestry-related questions, or to schedule a free site visit, email me at bryan.shideler@macd.org or call me at (989) 539-6401. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Meet Our Office Administrator, Melissa
Hello, my name is Melissa Townsend. I grew up in Clare County, Michigan on a family farm. We raise primarily cattle and meat rabbits on our farm.
After I finished grade school, I attended Saginaw Valley State University. I graduated in August, 2015 with a Bachelors of Arts. My major is Professional Technical Writing and I minored in Geography. While I attended SVSU, I volunteered in the campus Greenhouse working with hydroponics, aquaponics, vermacompost, and giving tours to the public. I also assisted in writing grants for Tolfree Wellness Garden located at the West Branch Hospital. My final year I was the President for the SVSU Agricultural and Natural Resources Club on campus.
I am excited and looking forward to working at the Clare Conservation District as the District Manager. Please feel free to drop in of send an email at melissa.townsend@macd.org.
After I finished grade school, I attended Saginaw Valley State University. I graduated in August, 2015 with a Bachelors of Arts. My major is Professional Technical Writing and I minored in Geography. While I attended SVSU, I volunteered in the campus Greenhouse working with hydroponics, aquaponics, vermacompost, and giving tours to the public. I also assisted in writing grants for Tolfree Wellness Garden located at the West Branch Hospital. My final year I was the President for the SVSU Agricultural and Natural Resources Club on campus.
I am excited and looking forward to working at the Clare Conservation District as the District Manager. Please feel free to drop in of send an email at melissa.townsend@macd.org.
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Office HoursMonday-Friday
8 AM- 4:30 PM Please call us at 989.539.6401 for more information |
Forester Update:
Our Former Forester, Kylee, has started a blog about various things. Experiences during work as well as insights on various topics. Its new and only has a few posts but check back often to read about new adventures and things happening within the forestry world! Click here for the blog.
