what we do

Conservation Resources

Everything you need to become a confident land steward. From free books to recycling programs to expert partnerships.

Free Conservation Library

150+ books available for checkout

Browse our collection of practical guides covering gardening, invasive species identification, sustainable landscaping, forestry management, cooking with native plants, wildflower identification, and sustainability practices. All books are free to borrow - just like your local library, but focused on conservation topics that matter to Missaukee County landowners.

What you'll find:

  • Plant identification guides specific to Michigan

  • Practical forestry and woodland management

  • Sustainable gardening and landscaping techniques

  • Invasive species identification and control

  • Native plant cooking and foraging guides

  • Sustainability practices for rural properties

How to borrow: Download and review the Booklist. Call or email us to make sure it's available. Then stop by our office to pick it up at 101 S. Main Street, Lake City. Just sign out what you need and return when you're done.

Little Free Library: Can't make it during office hours? Check our outdoor Little Free Library for rotating selection of conservation books available 24/7.

Fishing Line Recycling Program

Keep our lakes clean while giving your old line new life

Don't let tangled fishing line harm wildlife or pollute our beautiful lakes. Our fishing line recycling bins, installed through an Eagle Scout project in 2020, make it easy to dispose of old monofilament responsibly.

Recycling Locations:

  • Lake Missaukee: Lagoon boat launch, City docks, Green Road boat launch

  • Sapphire Lake: Main boat launch

  • Crooked Lake: County park boat launch

What happens to recycled line: Berkley Conservation Institute melts it down into new fishing tackle boxes, fish habitats, and line spools. Your old line gets a second life while protecting wildlife from entanglement.

What can be recycled: Only single-filament nylon line (monofilament and fluorocarbon). Braided or wire-core lines cannot be recycled.

Bins emptied: Every two weeks Memorial Day through October, monthly the rest of the year.

Can't get to a bin? Drop off fishing line at our office anytime during business hours.

USDA-NRCS Partnership Programs

Federal funding and technical assistance for your conservation projects

Through our partnership with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, you can access both expert guidance and financial assistance for conservation improvements on your property.

What NRCS can help with:

  • Tree planting and forest management

  • Water quality improvement projects

  • Pasture and cropland improvements

  • Wildlife habitat enhancement

  • Erosion control and soil conservation

  • Irrigation system improvements

Two main funding programs:

1. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Financial assistance for working lands - maintain or improve production while conserving natural resources. Available for all agricultural operations including field crops, livestock, and private forestland.

2. Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Five-year contracts with annual payments for landowners committed to bringing their entire operation up to high conservation standards. Renewable for additional five years.

How to get started: Contact our office and we'll connect you with NRCS staff who can assess your property and explain available programs.

Invasive Species Resources

Identify, treat, and prevent invasive species with expert support

North Country Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (NCCISMA) brings together partners across six counties to combat invasive species through education, identification assistance, and hands-on treatment support.

Services available:

  • Species identification help - Not sure what you're looking at? We can help identify problem plants and animals

  • Treatment guidance - Get advice on effective, safe removal methods and herbicide selection

  • Treatment demonstrations - See proper techniques in action before trying them yourself

  • Strike team for hire - Professional treatment for small infestations where hiring a contractor isn't cost-effective

Report invasive species: Use the free Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) to report sightings so local coordinators can evaluate and treat priority areas.

Prevention campaigns:

Don't Move Firewood - prevent spreading invasive insects

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers - clean boats and equipment

#RideCleanRepeat - clean recreational vehicles between sites

Contact: Call us at (231) 839-7193 for invasive species identification, treatment advice, or strike team for hire information.

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Need Something We Don't Have?

Can't find the resource you're looking for? Call us at (231) 839-7193 or email [email protected]. We're connected with conservation organizations throughout Michigan and can often point you toward exactly what you need. If there's a book, tool, or program you think would benefit other Missaukee County landowners, let us know. We're always looking to expand our resource collection based on community needs.

Ready to dive in? Stop by our office at 101 S. Main Street, Lake City, or give us a call at (231) 839-7193. We're here to help you find the resources that will make your conservation goals achievable and successful.

INTRODUCING

The Simple Backyard Conservation Course

Learn how to transform your outdoor space into a thriving wildlife habitat.

Simple changes in how you maintain your yard or outdoor space can have a meaningful environmental impact right at home. There is no cost for the course because we believe conservation should be accessible to everyone!

Here's what you get:

Get the exact conservation strategies that have helped hundreds of neighbors create real environmental change right from their own yards straight to your inbox.

You'll learn how to:

  • Support fireflies, pollinators and other beneficial insects with a simple lawn care change that actually saves you work.

  • Capture rainwater naturally using materials you probably already have at home.

  • Create pollinator pit stops that bring bees and butterflies to your space without expensive landscaping.

  • Fix common erosion problems with techniques that work in real-world conditions.

  • Build conservation confidence through quick wins that show immediate results.

  • Connect with nature in ways that benefit both wildlife and your family.

Get Involved

Volunteer

Join hands-on conservation work that makes a visible difference in our community.

Attend

Join your neighbors at our various upcoming conservation workshops and events.

Partner

Connect your business or organization with conservation-minded residents while supporting meaningful local work.

Donate

Make conservation accessible for everyone. Ensure free expert help for all neighbors regardless of income.