<![CDATA[Menominee Conservation District

<![CDATA[Menominee Conservation District - News]]>Thu, 14 May 2026 20:30:26 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Autumn Olive on the Carney Nadeau School Forest]]>Fri, 31 May 2019 16:36:15 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/autumn-olive-on-the-carney-nadeau-school-forestWe visited the Carney School Forest with Pat Wehner’s 8th Grade Class to assess an area that has been overrun by invasive Autumn Olive. Once considered a quality wildlife / hedgerow shrub, Autumn Olive has proven to be a very problematic invasive species after it was introduced to the US from Asia. It produces lots of berries that are readily eaten and spread by birds, which soon grow into new, thorny, aggressive shrubs. The shrubs grow fast and quickly outcompete native species – sometimes creating a monoculture that limits biological diversity.

Just a few years back, this area was treated with mowing and chemical to control the shrubs, followed by planting of mixed native conifers. The Carney-Nadeau students were able to locate some of the planted conifers, but found them to be outcompeted by the thorny Autumn Olive shrubs. More work will be needed to combat the invasives on this property!

It pays to be observant and proactive when you notice a new species of plant on your property or roadside – a few invasive shrubs identified and removed early can prevent a future “thorny” situation! For assistance and information on Autumn Olive and other invasive species found in Menominee County, contact the Conservation District or their partner: Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition (WRISC).

The Conservation District also provides healthy, beneficial native trees and flowering nut- and berry-producing shrubs for purchase during our Spring and Fall Tree Sale. Keep an eye on the website for future Tree Sales – items can be ordered and purchased at our online store!

Initial autumn olive removal spring 2015

Replanting with native species Fall 2019

Autumn Olive taking over again in 2019

]]><![CDATA[Carney Nadeau School Forest Deer Exclosure]]>Thu, 30 May 2019 17:26:49 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/carney-nadeau-school-forest-deer-exclosureWith the help of students at Carney Public Schools, we’ve developed two 625 square foot fenced in exclosures on the Carney School Forest. Over time, these will provide a look at how a forest regenerates without browsing pressures from deer and rabbits. A walk through any forest in central Menominee County shows extensive browse damage on seedling trees – in some areas of hardwood stands with high deer populations, you may see a “park-like” setting. This can look pretty and are easy to hike through, but the area lacks the understory of shrubs and seedling trees that provide wildlife habitat and constitute the beginnings of a mature, healthy forest for future generations..

3 other exclosures are planned for other School Forests and a public park, spread throughout the county. Materials were provided with a grant from the Upper Peninsula Sustainable Forest and Wildlife Fund; work was provided by Menominee Conservation District and Stephenson USDA Service Center staff, with lots of help from the students from Carney.

Stay tuned to Facebook for updates and contact the Conservation District for details on this or any other project!

]]><![CDATA[Photo Winner]]>Mon, 18 Apr 2016 15:53:02 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/photo-winnerCongratulations to Debbie Smith on her winning fawn photo! Debbie's picture will be the cover of our 2016 local guide. Thanks to everyone else who entered photos. Start planning now for what you might want to enter for our 2017 contest.

Here are our top three photos from 2016. First-Fawn by Debbie Smith, Second-Fall View by Dave Cappaert, and Third-Sunlit Forest by Donna Buechler

]]><![CDATA[USDA/NRCS Encourages Landowners to Sign Up Early]]>Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:52:51 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/usdanrcs-encourages-landowners-to-sign-up-early
Although the snow is still on the ground, it’s not too early to think about a conservation planning field visit for the upcoming 2016 Field Season. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) encourages farmers and private forestland owners to request conservation planning assistance by APRIL 30th to ensure a spot on the 2016 Menominee County field visit schedule.
Requesting assistance by April 30th not only gives ample time to complete a field visit during the upcoming growing season, it also gives sufficient time to develop a Conservation Plan that addresses landowner objectives and potential natural resource conservation opportunities. A NRCS Conservation Field Visit with local NRCS Conservation Planners is free of charge, and enrolling in USDA / NRCS programs is completely voluntary.
With a complete NRCS Conservation Plan, a cooperator may decide to apply for financial assistance to implement conservation practices on their property. A few of the many practices that may be applicable locally include:
Forestland Improvements
Forest Management Planning Tree / Shrub Planting Wildlife Habitat Establishment Invasive Species Control Cropland Improvements
High Tunnel System for vegetables Honeybee and Pollinator Plantings Cover Crops Nutrient Management Headquarters Improvements
Waste Storage Facility On-farm Agrichemical Handling Facility On-Farm Energy Efficiency Planning Fuel Storage Secondary Containment Pastureland Improvements
Fence Watering Facility and Pipelines Prescribed Grazing Planning Pasture Planting
To request your 2016 NRCS Conservation Field visit in Menominee County, contact District Conservationist Craig Aho at 906-753-6921x107, craig.aho@mi.usda.gov, or in person at the USDA Service Center: E106 South Drive in Stephenson.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
]]><![CDATA[Busy Fall]]>Wed, 04 Nov 2015 16:03:17 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/busy-fallLots of activity with the Conservation District this fall! The weather cooperated every time which was a bonus. Spending time enjoying the great natural resources Menominee County has to offer beats sitting at a desk any day! Scroll down for some pictures of what we've been up to.

5th Grade Outdoor Education

Carney Nadeau School Forest

Cedar River Campground Improvements

]]><![CDATA[Conservation Survey]]>Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:53:47 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/conservation-survey

Create your own user feedback survey

]]><![CDATA[Tree Planting]]>Tue, 26 May 2015 15:56:08 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/tree-planting

14 students from Carney Nadeau's Earth Science class spent a recent afternoon planting white pine seedlings on their school forest as part of the On Track to a Greener Michigan program sponsored by Consumer Energy and Michigan International Speedway. The program was coordinated through the Menominee Conservation District.

Conservation District forester, AJ Campbell spent a little time teaching proper tree planting techniques before sending the students off in pairs on their own. Trees were planted in an area of the school forest that had not regenerated on its own after harvest.

]]><![CDATA[Fall Banquet]]>Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:12:21 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/fall-banquetBelgiumtown Restaurant-Saturday Oct. 25th
Social hour-6:00 pm
Dinner-6:30 pm
Speaker-7:00 pm
Prizes & Raffle-7:30 pm

]]><![CDATA[Japanese Knotweed]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:20:56 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/japanese-knotweedThursday July 10th, Menominee Conservation District together with WildRivers Invasive Species Coalition attacked a patch of Japanese Knotweed that had gotten out of control in the City of Menominee. Starting in the yard of an abandoned home it had spread to several neighboring properties.

Plans are to monitor the site and treat any regrowth with herbicide later in the season. Japanese Knotweed is one of the invasive species Michigan regulates as a prohibited species and makes the World's Worst 100 Invasive Species List. It has a bamboo like stem, with heart shaped alternate leaves, and white flowers that bloom in late summer. Originally planted as a landscape plant, it has since proven to be an aggressive invasive. In its native habitat it has been known to break its w

]]><![CDATA[Annual Meeting & Director Election]]>Mon, 24 Mar 2014 16:21:42 GMThttps://www.menomineecd.com/news/annual-meeting-director-electionThe 2014 annual meeting was held on Thursday March 13th at Belgiumtown Restaurant. A great meal was followed by great information as District Forester AJ Campbell explained the Forest Managment Program. Several door prizes and silent auction items were awarded thanks to our sponsors:Fine Woodworker's Studio of Daggett, Luv-N-Acres Farm, Elmcrest Acres, Dan Mathein, The Schwenner Family, and Clyde Thoune.

Director Tammy Piotraschke was re-elected for another 3 year term during director elections.]]>