KINGSFORD, Mich. (WZMQ) – In response to a recent community survey, the Dickinson County Conservation District is taking steps to implement a new recycling program. The survey, conducted earlier this spring, revealed that 33% of residents surveyed believed that recycling was the most pressing environmental issue in the county. The district also noted that concerns over the deer population and water quality closely followed the recycling issue.
Andrew Finkel, the Conservation District’s fundraising coordinator, expressed the community’s strong desire for a recycling program. “We did a survey to the community about what issues they were most concerned about, and recycling was a runaway winner,” he stated.
To address this concern, the Conservation District has invited a renowned recycling expert to its annual meeting coming up this month.
“We’re going to be hosting a speaker from the department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Her name is Tracy Purrenhage, and she is a recycling expert. We’re looking at curbside in Dickinson, Iron Mountain, and Norway cities, and drop off locations for the rest of the county,” announced Finkel.
Residents of Dickinson County are encouraged to attend the annual meeting to learn more about the proposed recycling program, and to participate in the conversation.
The Dickinson County Conservation District is eagerly gearing up for its 75th annual meeting, set to take place on August 19th. The highlight of the event will be the keynote speaker, Tracy Purrenhage, who will address the community’s concerns and provide insights into the direction of the recycling program in Dickinson County. Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions, and gain a better understanding of the initiatives being undertaken.
The annual meeting will be held at the systems control stage in downtown Iron Mountain, starting at 9:00 a.m. central time. The chosen location conveniently coincides with the Iron Mountain farmer’s market, allowing attendees to enjoy both events. Representatives from the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Forestry Department, will also be present at the meeting.
In addition to the annual meeting, the Conservation District’s fundraising coordinator has announced the return of the fall plant sale. After a few years on hiatus, the sale is now live and offers an opportunity for residents to support the Dickinson Conservation District while purchasing native plants. Interested individuals can visit dickinsoncd.org/shop or call 906-774-1550 ext 106. The fall plant sale will feature new varieties of conifers, deciduous trees, and potted plants that were not available in years past when the fall sale was active.
Furthermore, the Conservation District has revamped its shop, located at 102 N. Hooper Street in Kingsford. The shop now offers a reorganized layout, with a focus on gardening supplies, informative books, and other materials related to conservation and environmental topics. The district hopes to spread the word about the shop’s new arrangement and encourage the community to explore the range of offerings available.
As Dickinson County Conservation District continues to prioritize environmental concerns, the upcoming annual meeting and fall plant sale serve as important milestones in their ongoing efforts to promote recycling and conservation initiatives within the community.
