Missaukee Conservation District

09/01/2026

What a Ripple Effect! 🌊

This past Saturday, an estimated 450 community members came out for the Ripple Effect Festival in downtown Lake City, and it was every bit the celebration we hoped it would be!

A huge thank you to all of our incredible exhibitors who shared who they are and what they do with Missaukee County. Your time, passion, and generosity made this event a true gift to our community.

Thank you as well to our sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who came out to explore, connect, and celebrate all that makes our community special.

Special thanks to Amber Warnick for generously donating her time and talent to photograph and document the day, including the photos featured here!

Thank you, Missaukee County, for making this such a memorable day. 💙

08/31/2026

Always learning, always growing! Our CTAP technician Lucas Santure recently spent time at the MSU AgBioResearch Station right here in Lake City, soaking up the latest in soil health and sustainable agriculture, and he came back with plenty to share.
One of the standouts? Seeing firsthand the difference grazing management makes right beneath our feet.
Take a look at these photos. On one side, a pasture under traditional continuous grazing, where livestock stay on the same ground season after season. On the other, a pasture managed with rotational grazing, where animals are moved between paddocks and the land gets time to rest and recover.
The contrast tells the story. Rotational grazing gives grasses a chance to regrow deeper roots, which means more ground cover, healthier soil that holds onto water, and stronger forage for the herd. Continuous grazing tends to leave soil more compacted and bare, with less of that good growth below the surface.
The encouraging part is that small shifts in how we move livestock can add up to big wins for the land, the water, and your bottom line. And it is pretty special knowing this kind of research and learning is happening right in our community. If you are curious whether rotational grazing could be a fit for your pasture, Lucas would love to talk it through with you.
Reach out to us at the Missaukee Conservation District. We are always happy to walk the pasture with you. You can always reach out to MSU Extension for more details and resources as well!

08/31/2026

Mark your calendars, Lake City!
This fall, we're heading back to the shoreline, and we need YOU. Join Missaukee Conservation District for a Natural Shoreline Cleanup on October 7th as we work together to keep Lake Missaukee healthy, beautiful, and thriving for years to come.
Grab your muck boots and bring a friend. Every piece of trash we pull out is one less threat to our water quality and the wildlife that call this lake home.
Spots are limited, so registration is required to join us. Register today to reserve your spot. Go to missaukeecd.org/events or just complete this form: https://forms.gle/kq4f2dVCJ2aV5hDx5
Let's make this cleanup even bigger than last time. See you on the shoreline, neighbors!

08/30/2026

🦋 Monarch Tagging Event 🦋
Join the Missaukee Conservation District for a morning with monarchs! We'll be learning all about tagging and releasing monarch butterflies as part of Monarch Watch, helping researchers track their incredible fall migration.
📅 Saturday, September 5th, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
📍 Lake City Legacy Garden at First Presbyterian Church
110 S Houghton St, Lake City, MI 49651
This is a FREE event and all ages are welcome! Come learn how monarchs are tagged and get an up close look at these amazing pollinators before they head south.
Bring your own lawn chair. Please note this is an outdoor event with no bathrooms available.
Registration is appreciated but not required. Just click this form to register: https://forms.gle/yHswBU1Bfti92bhL6 We'd love to see you there!
🌿

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

Come down to the Lake City Ripple Effect Festival today in downtown Lake City from 9 am until 3pm. Ice Mountain Natural Spring Water

08/29/2026

Come down to the Lake City Ripple Effect Festival today in downtown Lake City from 9 am until 3pm. Michigan Department of Natural Resources

08/29/2026

Come down to the Lake City Ripple Effect Festival today in downtown Lake City from 9 am until 3pm.

08/29/2026

Come down to the Lake City Ripple Effect Festival today in downtown Lake City from 9 am until 3pm. Michigan Forest Association