Meetings

Meetings are on third or fourth Thursdays at 5:15PM, unless otherwise specified. HKCD meetings are public meetings, everyone is welcome. Meetings are normally held at the HKCD office at 205 Michigan Street in Hancock, MI 49930. If public schools are closed due to inclement weather, the HKCD monthly meeting will be canceled.

Tentative meeting dates:

October 26, 2023: budget hearing

December 21, 2023

February 15, 2024 - cancelled

March 21, 2024

April 11, 2024 - Special Meeting

April 18, 2024 - ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS - 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM (approx.) - Orpheum Theatre 426 Quincy St, Hancock MI 49930

EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its programs or activities.

Annual Tree Sale

See the Tree Sale page for more information.

Projects

Since 2013, the HKCD has worked on projects including:

  • Eagle River Watershed Management Plan

  • Central 1 and Central 2 Stamp Sands Stabilization

  • Cliff Mine Stamp Sands Stabilization

  • Hills Creek Floodplain Stamp Sand Stabilization

  • Winona Mine Stamp Sand Stabilization

  • Pilgrim River Watershed Management Plan

  • Community conservation education and activities

The mission of the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District is to advise and assist the people of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties to wisely manage and use our natural resources through education, information, technical assistance, and land stewardship.

History

In 1937, as a result of the dust bowl, President Roosevelt sent a Standard State Soil Conservation Districts Law to to each of the states’ governors, encouraging them to approve legislation to establish soil and water conservation districts. The purpose of these conservation districts was to work with programs provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), to help land owners better manage their soil and prevent erosion. Later, conservation districts were tasked to work with people in their local communities on all aspects of natural resource conservation.

In 1937, Michigan passed the Soil Conservation District Law Act 297 P.A. 1937. The HKCD was established in 1951 as a local unit of government and part of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

By law, conservation districts are required to have a five person elected board of citizens from their county or counties. HKCD has a five person elected board including citizens from Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. The HKCD board has regular public meetings, usually monthly. If you are interested in serving on the Board, please attend a monthly meeting, or contact us by phone or email for more information.

Board of Directors

Tom Collins, Treasurer and Vice Chair

Doug McKenzie, Trustee

Gina Nicholas, Preserve Associate Director

Steve Siira, Trustee

Chad VanBennekom, District Manager

Rachel Tarpey, Chairperson and Secretary