Iron Mountain High School’s Environmental Club takes root. Click here to read/watch the story!
New Environmental Club member speaks about the school forest. Click here to read the story!
Click here! - For an update on Dickinson County youth’s growing interest in a fun animal track identification workshop, sponsored by the Dickinson Conservation District!
Read the full web article about the City Park fun this weekend that will benefit improvements to Iron Mountain’s City Park, including managing our urban forest and improving the living conditions for the deer. Click for WZMQ!
I’m only here for the way Sarah’s smile lights up when she talks about butterflies! From one of the very first stories I ever worked on in the newsroom, to the story I wrote her about the Live Monarch Foundation, there is always a special glow above her head when she talks about making the U.P., and the world a better place for our butterflies. With the help of the Lake Antoine Park Partners and the Dickinson Conservation District, Iron mountain has a New Butterfly Garden! Keep up the good work, everyone!
We now have Woodburning! Check it out at WZMQ! This is the newest community activity added to the offerings by the Dickinson Conservation District. And it’s even getting the attention of local highschoolers!
Native and Invasive Pests Threaten U.P Trees, Warns District Forester
Iron Mountain, Mich. (WZMQ) - Josh Isaac, the District Forester for Menominee and Dickinson counties, is sounding the alarm about the threat posed by native and invasive pests and pathogens to trees in the Upper Peninsula. Speaking exclusively to WZMQ, Isaac explained how certain species of trees, such as ash, are particularly vulnerable to pests like the emerald ash-borer, which he says has killed tens of millions of ash trees in Michigan since its discovery.
"They attack certain species of trees, such as emerald ash-borer. So if you have ash trees, you’re prone to an emerald ash borer attack," he remarked.
It's not just invasive pests like the emerald ash-borer that are causing concern for Isaac. He also highlighted the threat posed by a native insect called the spruce budworm, which attacks spruce and fir trees.
According to Michigan.gov, the spruce budworm is one of the most destructive native insects in the northern spruce and fir forests of the eastern U.S. and Canada. Isaac emphasized that the damage caused by these pests can vary.
"Some of these insects can carry fungal pathogens, some of them just do structural damage. There’s a whole plethora of things that can happen, and of course tree species vary in lifetime," informed the Forester.
As the District Forester for two counties, Isaac works strictly with private landowners to protect the health and longevity of their trees. He urges all landowners to be vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their trees from these destructive pests.
Isaac regularly gives presentations on urban forestry and helps educate the public on various forestry-related issues in Iron Mountain and the surrounding areas, and he works closely with the city to manage our urban forests. During his urban forestry presentations, he discusses the benefits of urban forestry with participants.
“Cities like Iron Mountain have many mature trees that begin to decline as they age, making them attractive to some of these invasive pests,” Isaac noted.
In addition to his urban forestry presentations, Isaac has many exciting workshops planned this year. A unique offering to watch for is his workshop on forest forensics, where he will guide participants on how to look at the forest surroundings for clues on how it tells a story. Keep tuning in to WZMQ19’s broadcast, and our community calendar updates for the latest on when these workshops will occur!
For more information on pests like the spruce budworm, from a 2022 DNR report on forest health, click here.
New Fundraising Coordinator Helping Dickinson County Conservation District Tackle Invasive Species
Iron Mountain, Mich. (WZMQ) - Andrew Finkel, the Fundraising Coordinator at the Dickinson County Conservation District, recently spoke about the results of the spring native plant sale. Finkel informed that the sale was a huge success, and the funds raised will help the district continue to improve the ways it tackles environmental issues in the county.
"There’s a new position created within the Dickinson County Conservation District for fundraising, and it’s helping to deal with managing invasive species in the county," Finkel remarked. "The position is here to help grow operational funding for the year, so that the district can tackle environmental issues within the county."
Finkel went on to explain that the native plant sale, which is the district's biggest fundraiser of the year, is critical to the district's efforts to combat invasive species in the area.
"Participation in this fundraiser not only helps by increasing the volume of native species, but it funds efforts to deal with invasives," he explained.
According to Finkel, invasive species are one of the top contenders on a long list of environmental issues that the district wants to resolve. The district is working hard to identify and manage invasive species in the area, and the funds raised from the native plant sale will go a long way in helping them achieve their goals.
"The creation of this position is new to this year, and we are proud that we’ve been so successful in the past with fundraisers that we were able to expand this, and have it be an entire position," Finkel commented.
As the Dickinson County Conservation District's Fundraising Coordinator, Finkel is committed to helping the district reach its environmental goals and protect the natural beauty of Dickinson County. Stay tuned to WZMQ 19 News broadcasts, and the community calendar, as well as WZMQ19.com for the latest updates on fundraising events that support our Upper Peninsula’s natural beauty and wildlife.
This is a separate story I worked on where Sarah talks about butterflies! Click to watch!
You can visit the Dickinson Conservation District’s website here: dickinsoncd.org
