Welcome to the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District
Our mission 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
Rachel Tarpey, Chairperson and Secretary
Doug McKenzie, Vice Chair
Tom Collins, Treasurer
Steve Siira, Trustee
Arthur Vasold, Trustee
Gina Nicholas, Preserve Associate Director
Staff
Matthew Mendoza - District Manager
(906) 482-0214
Matthew.mendoza@macd.org
Joash Pfeiffelman - District Forester
(906) 319-0060
Joash.pfeiffelman@macd.org
Meetings
Our board meetings are held on either the third or fourth Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM, unless otherwise specified. HKCD meetings are public meetings and everyone is welcome. Meetings are normally held at the City of Houghton City Center Council Chambers at 616 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI 49931. The dates for the meetings this calendar year can be found below.
Please note, if public schools are closed due to inclement weather, the HKCD monthly meeting will be canceled.
Meeting Schedule for 2025
January 16th, 2025
February 20th, 2025
March 20th, 2025
April 17th, 2025 - Special Meeting
June 19th, 2025 - Cancelled
June 26th, 2025 - Annual Meeting and Election
July 17th, 2025
August 21st, 2025 - 7:30 PM
September 18th, 2025 - Budget Hearing - 7:00 PM
October 16th, 2025
November 20th, 2025
December 18th, 2025
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
No updates yet for the 2026 tree sale.
Please sign-up for our mailing list if you would like to receive updates about our tree sale and upcoming catalog.
Additional information can be found on our Tree Sale page.
Preserves
Explore conservation areas protected and owned by the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District
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