Missaukee Conservation District

10/07/2026

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🍁Did you know 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women are color blind? If you're on a fall leaf color tour this weekend, stop into the visitor center. We have a few pairs of glasses that correct color-blindness. Try them for free. Specially adapted EnChroma lenses help people who have red-green colorblindness to see color more clearly, distinctly and vibrantly. Scenic viewers or glasses are currently available at several Michigan state parks, with hopes to expand into additional parks in the future. Learn more about DNR locations with color blind scenic viewers or glasses at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/accessibility/color-blind-scenic-viewers

🍂Leaves in the Cadillac area are just beginning to change. Reds are showing in sumac and red maples; yellows are showing on the cherries. Be sure to grab a copy of the Fall Color Guide by the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau! This wonderful brochure features suggested routes for day trips around Cadillac’s lakes and the greater-Cadillac area.

The Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through November 8.

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10/07/2026

Nature's Plot Twist 🦇

Bats tend to get a spooky reputation, but here's the twist: they're some of the most helpful neighbors we have. A single little brown bat can eat hundreds of insects, including mosquitoes, in just one night.

Bats help keep insect populations in check, protecting our gardens, crops, and forests. These quiet fliers are hardworking allies on the night shift, and giving them a little space to do their work helps us all. 🌙

10/07/2026

What a day in the woods! 🍂

Last Saturday, our Fellowship of the Forest workshop brought together a packed house of curious, fun-loving folks (many in costume!) for a day of exploring, learning, and gathering together in the forest.

Here's what our fellowship got up to:
🥾 A guided hike through the forest with our forester (and resident gnome) Marshall Moore
🌿 Learning to identify native plants and trees, and the invasive species that threaten them
🍵 Sipping native plant teas brewed by Erin Horton
🧁 Feasting on wild-inspired scones, muffins, infused honeys, and whipped cream from Lea Savigny of Joyful Wildcrafting

The costumes, the laughter, the questions, the shared treats: this group made the day truly magical. Thank you to everyone who joined us and brought such great energy to the trail. We can't wait to gather our fellowship again! 💚

Swipe through to see our wonderful crew in action! 📸

10/06/2026

Spooky Stream Critters
Forget ghosts and goblins. Michigan streams are full of real-life creatures that look like tiny monsters! 👻 Hellgrammites, dragonfly nymphs, and caddisfly larvae (which build armor out of pebbles and sticks) are "macroinvertebrates" that tell scientists how healthy a stream is. The more sensitive critters we find, the cleaner the water.

10/05/2026

Fall Septic Check Before the Freeze
Before the ground freezes is a great time to think about what's under your yard. 🏡 Tips for fall: keep vehicles and heavy equipment off your drainfield, direct downspouts away from it, and schedule a pump-out if it's been 3 to 5 years. A healthy septic system protects your wallet and our groundwater, lakes, and streams.

10/05/2026

We're hiring! 🌱

Missaukee Conservation District is looking for a CTAI Soil Conservationist to help landowners in Missaukee and Wexford counties put conservation practices on the ground.

📍 Based at the USDA-NRCS office in Cadillac
🎓 Bachelor's in soil conservation, agronomy, or a related field
🗓️ Full-time, Monday - Friday schedule
🏖️ Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

📩 Apply by October 16, 2026. Full details here: https://missaukeecd.org/careers

Know someone who'd be a great fit? Please share! 💚

10/04/2026

Legacy Garden: Why We Leave the Stems
Our native beds at the Lake City Legacy Garden may look a little "messy" this fall, and that's on purpose! 🌼 Hollow stems and seed heads provide winter shelter for native bees and food for birds like goldfinches. Thanks to the Wildflower Association of Michigan and our Native Plant Posse volunteers for making this garden grow. Try leaving 12 to 18 inches of stems standing in your own garden this year!

10/03/2026

Mean Girls Day (October 3)
It's October 3rd, and you know what that means. 💅 Get in, we're going leaf peeping! Missaukee's maples, oaks, and tamaracks are hitting peak color, and the reds come from anthocyanins that trees produce in sunny fall weather with cool nights. So fetch may never happen, but fall color definitely is. Share your best color shot below!

10/02/2026

Renewable Roots Retreat Countdown
One month to go! 🌱 The 3rd Annual Renewable Roots Retreat is November 5 at Timber Wolf Lake Camp. Join fellow land stewards, educators, and conservation enthusiasts for a day of learning, connection, and our annual silent auction. Educators, ask us about scholarships for the Aquatic WILD track! Get tickets: https://missaukeecd.org/renewable-roots-2026

10/01/2026

Invasive Species Detective Season
Here's a fall trick: while native shrubs turn color and drop leaves, invasive buckthorn and bush honeysuckle often stay green well into late fall. 🕵️ That makes October one of the easiest times to spot them in your woods. Snap a photo and report sightings on MISIN (misin.msu.edu) to help map invasives across Michigan.