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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted March 7, 2005 Text © 2005 Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District and courtesy Sue Haralson, Administrator. Photos courtesy and © 2002 and 2005 Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District.

Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District to hold 2005 Tree Sale, Workshop

HOUGHTON -- The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (HKCD) announces two important events for March 2005. HKCD is now holding its annual Tree Sale -- with an order deadline of April 1, 2005 -- offering a variety of native and non-native plants, seeds and merchandise. Jim Rivard, forester for HKCD and for the Ontonagon and Gogebic Conservation districts, will offer a workshop, "Managing Northern Forests for Songbirds," from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, in the UPPCO Building, 600 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton.

2005 Tree Sale

It’s time to order seedlings, fruit trees, berry bushes, seeds and conservation merchandise through the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District's annual Tree Sale scheduled for 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 7, at the Houghton County Arena, 1500 Birch Street, Hancock. The District (HKCD) is currently accepting orders, due by April 1, on the following:

• Conifers/Softwood/Evergreens 
• Trees and Shrubs for Wildlife
• Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry and Strawberry Bushes
• Apple, Cherry, Peach and Plum Fruit Trees 
• Native Wildflower Seed Packets
• Native Wildflower Plants in 3” Pots
• Wildlife Books on Trees, Flowers, Birds and more 
  

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District Tree Sale includes several varieties of apple trees such as these. Visit the HKCD Web site for a full catalog of offerings. (Photo © 2005 and courtesy Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District)

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District sells a variety of high quality conservation seedlings for erosion control, wildlife habitat, reforestation, windbreaks and many other conservation purposes.

The Conservation District encourages the use of Native Trees, Shrubs and Plants -- including White Pine, Red Pine, Tamarack, White Spruce, Canadian Hemlock, American Mountain Ash, Black or Rum Cherry, Northern Red Oak, Beaked Hazelnut, Highbush Cranberry, Ninebark, Red Osier Dogwood and Serviceberry.

New this year is the Tamarack -- the only native conifer of Michigan that sheds its needles during the fall. This beautiful, fast-growing tree will grow to a height of 40-80 feet. The seeds are a valuable food source for many species of birds, including ruffed grouse. Tamarack will grow on a wide range of soils, but is commonly found in wetter areas. It requires full sunlight.

Native plants have evolved here over thousands of years. They are well suited to our climate and site, resistant to disease and pests and require little or no special treatment. By using them we provide food and habitat for our native animals. When using native plants it is best to use those from your local area.

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District Tree Sale is an annual fundraising event that benefits soil and water conservation programs in Houghton and Keweenaw counties. (File photo courtesy and © 2002 Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District)

The three-inch pots of Native Wildflowers are again available this year. They include Bergamot, Black-Eyed Susan, Blue Flag Iris and Pale Purple Coneflower.

The Bergamot, a fragrant member of the mint family, produces an abundance of picturesque purple flowers and attracts hummingbirds. It makes a great tea and is excellent for fresh bouquets.

The Pale Purple Coneflower has very showy, large purple flowers on three-to-five-foot stalks in early summer. This long lived, tough plant was used by Native Americans of the Northern Great Plains to treat burns, snakebites and stings. It requires full sunlight and dry-to-medium soil (sand, loam or clay).

If you're not sure WHAT to plant WHERE, call Jim Rivard, forester, at 482-0214.

All proceeds go to support conservation programs in Houghton and Keweenaw counties.

Tree Sale Information and Order Forms are available on the District's web page: www.hkconserve.com. Call: 482-0214 or Email: sue.haralson@mi.nacdnet.net. Orders will be filled in the order they are received.

Native shrubs will be on display during the sale, and extra stock will be sold on site.

Workshop: "Managing Northern Forests for Songbirds"

Jim Rivard, forester for HKCD and for the Ontonagon and Gogebic Conservation districts, will offer a workshop, "Managing Northern Forests for Songbirds," from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, in the UPPCO Building, 600 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton. His presentation will focus on conservation and habitat improvement for forest thrushes. Some species of thrushes, which have some of the most beautiful songs of birds found in local forests, have experienced significant population declines. The workshop is free but registration is required. Call 482-0214 to register for this workshop.

Forester Jim Rivard is also available to offer free, impartial advice in the following areas: forest management; tree planting; deer habitat improvement; referral program; cost share program assistance in forest management plan development, White Pine/Hemlock planting, reforestation, wetlands restoration and more; backyard wildlife habitat improvement.

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District helps local people find answers to their land management questions by linking them with natural resource professionals, products and services. A Board of Directors, consisting of elected community volunteers, makes decisions about conservation programs and services and hires qualified staff to conduct and carry them out.

The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (a local unit of government) began more than 50 years ago and is one of eighty-two districts in the state of Michigan. The District is here to serve its constituents. Their monthly meetings are open to the public.

For more information call 482-0214, or check the Houghton/Keweenaw Conservation District Web site.

You may also contact HKCD by writing to:

Sue Haralson, Administrator 
Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District 
600 East Lakeshore Dr., #2 
Houghton, MI 49931 
Ph: 906 482-0214 
Fax: 906 482-6074 
Email: sue.haralson@mi.nacdnet.net 

Editor's Note: The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District recently participated in two important land preservation efforts. With the help of the Keweenaw Land Trust, HKCD was recently awarded a Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program grant to purchase Dan's Point, a 24-acre parcel with 643 feet of Lake Superior Shoreline in Eagle Harbor Township at the northernmost point of the Keweenaw Peninsula. See the October 2003 article, "Township, conservation groups seek to preserve Lake Superior dunes, shoreline, wildlife habitat."

HKCD, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Keweenaw Land Trust, the South Shore Association and numerous private donors has contributed to the preservation of Bete Grise South. See "Bete Grise wetlands, shoreline protected through TNC partnership."

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