Conservation District seeks input; continues tree sale.

Scan this QR code to take the survey.

Conservation District seeks input; continues tree sale.

Mason-Lake Conservation District is currently seeking public input regarding the conservation needs of Mason and Lake counties. Every five years, the Mason-Lake Conservation District (MLCD) conducts a survey about natural resources and conservation issues in the District coverage area, which includes Mason County and the west half of Lake County. 

The survey helps to prioritize the most important needs as identified by residents, and will factor into a Strategic Plan that the Conservation District will be developing.

Residents can take the 5-minute survey by visiting the Conservation District website at www.mason-lakeConservation.org or snapping a picture of the QR code with a smartphone. Alternately, residents can request to receive paper copies of the survey by postal mail by calling 231-757-3707 ext 5. 

At the end of the survey, participants can choose to enter a drawing to win a $50 gift card towards tree seedlings and other conservation products available through MLCD. All responses are kept anonymous unless entered into the drawing.†Surveys must be completed by March 14th, 2021.

“We want to get the survey to as many people as possible who live, work and play in Mason and Lake counties,” said Dani McGarry, executive director for MLCD. “As a local government focused on conservation, this survey helps us to see where the public wants us to focus our time and resources. The results will serve as a major guiding factor as we develop our Strategic Plan covering the next five years of conservation projects.

“Planning ahead is a necessity for MLCD to be successful. The District is largely grant-funded, save for some baseline funding from the counties, so any project work must be funded through grants. MLCD is currently working on grant applications for projects that would span through 2024.”

Likewise, the Conservation District Annual Tree Seedling Sale has been ongoing, and the order deadline is March 12th. This year’s sale involves a wide variety of evergreen and deciduous tree seedlings, shrubs, fruit trees, beachgrass and other products. To view products or place an order, visit www.mason-lakeConservation.org or call (231) 757-3707 ext. 5. Funds raised from the tree sale go towards community conservation projects. In the past, this has included educational workshops and seminars for the public, community gardens, invasive plant management efforts and more.

Conservation District staff provide free on-site consultations to advise landowners on appropriate trees to plant, wildlife habitat improvements, forestry management activities, erosion control and more. For more information or to schedule a visit, call (231) 757-3707 ext. 5.

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