Matt Watkeys, District Manager
Matt Watkeys started his new position as the new Alger Conservation District Manager on October 1st 2021. Matt has been the Alger and Marquette Conservation District Forester for nearly ten years, and many of you have already worked with him for technical assistance on tree health, timber management, and all things forest. He is a Michigan certified commercial pesticide applicator.
matt.watkeys@macd.org
Matt Watkeys started his new position as the new Alger Conservation District Manager on October 1st 2021. Matt has been the Alger and Marquette Conservation District Forester for nearly ten years, and many of you have already worked with him for technical assistance on tree health, timber management, and all things forest. He is a Michigan certified commercial pesticide applicator.
matt.watkeys@macd.org
Christy Foye, Conservation Program Coordinator
Christy assists in day-to-day office operations including database management, outreach and organizing local events. She also organizes field work and supervises seasonal field crews in invasive species management and other conservation projects. She has a B.S. in Biology/Ecology concentration from Northern Michigan University and a background in invasive plant management. She is a Michigan certified pesticide applicator.
christy.foye@macd.org
Christy assists in day-to-day office operations including database management, outreach and organizing local events. She also organizes field work and supervises seasonal field crews in invasive species management and other conservation projects. She has a B.S. in Biology/Ecology concentration from Northern Michigan University and a background in invasive plant management. She is a Michigan certified pesticide applicator.
christy.foye@macd.org
Jane Watson, AmeriCorps VISTA Intern
Jane has recently joined the team to help with outreach programs, our online presence, activity development, volunteer planning, and the annual tree/wildflower sale. She grew up in New Mexico where she graduated from New Mexico Tech with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Earth Science. Jane looks forward to to helping local conservation efforts while gaining professional development.
jane.watson@macd.org
Misa Cady, NRCS District Conservationist
Misa helps Alger and Marquette County landowners develop conservation plans, and she provides advice on the all phases of the Farm Bill’s recommended, voluntary conservation practices. As the District Conservationist she works with landowners through conservation planning and technical assistance designed to benefit soil, water, air, plants, and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems.
misa.cady@usda.gov
Misa helps Alger and Marquette County landowners develop conservation plans, and she provides advice on the all phases of the Farm Bill’s recommended, voluntary conservation practices. As the District Conservationist she works with landowners through conservation planning and technical assistance designed to benefit soil, water, air, plants, and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems.
misa.cady@usda.gov
Sara Kelso, District Forester
Sara was Born and raised in the UP, and grew up enjoying everything Michigan’s forests have to offer. She channeled that love of the woods through forestry degrees from both Michigan Tech and the University of Minnesota. Sara is excited to be serving the landowners of Alger and Marquette counties! Through the Forestry Assistance Program she available for free site visits to provide assistance and referrals regarding wildlife habitat, timber production, tree planting, and forest health.
sara.kelso@macd.org
Sara was Born and raised in the UP, and grew up enjoying everything Michigan’s forests have to offer. She channeled that love of the woods through forestry degrees from both Michigan Tech and the University of Minnesota. Sara is excited to be serving the landowners of Alger and Marquette counties! Through the Forestry Assistance Program she available for free site visits to provide assistance and referrals regarding wildlife habitat, timber production, tree planting, and forest health.
sara.kelso@macd.org
Kelly Sippl, NRCS Soil Conservationist
Kelly spent roughly 10 years in the conservation field across the state of Wisconsin. Her experience includes surveying and designing conservation practices such as streambank restoration, wetland wildlife habitat, tree and shrub plantings for wildlife, hoop houses, cover cropping to improve soil and plant health, and planning, writing, and assisting in the implementation of grazing management systems. She has spent much of her career developing partnerships with other conservation agencies and helping private landowners solve their natural resources challenges/problems. kelly.sippl@usda.gov
Kelly spent roughly 10 years in the conservation field across the state of Wisconsin. Her experience includes surveying and designing conservation practices such as streambank restoration, wetland wildlife habitat, tree and shrub plantings for wildlife, hoop houses, cover cropping to improve soil and plant health, and planning, writing, and assisting in the implementation of grazing management systems. She has spent much of her career developing partnerships with other conservation agencies and helping private landowners solve their natural resources challenges/problems. kelly.sippl@usda.gov
Landen Tetil, Produce Safety Technician
Landen is available for all UP produce growers for increasing on-farm produce safety. Education and technical assistance is delivered through the Michigan Safe Food Risk Assessment, On-Farm Readiness Reviews, Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings, and produce safety plan writing assistance. Landen works with produce growers to implement safe produce practices and coordinate local, state and federal agency resources to help reduce identified produce safety risks, and make progress toward compliance with state and federal regulations.
landen.mqtcondist@gmail.com
Landen is available for all UP produce growers for increasing on-farm produce safety. Education and technical assistance is delivered through the Michigan Safe Food Risk Assessment, On-Farm Readiness Reviews, Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings, and produce safety plan writing assistance. Landen works with produce growers to implement safe produce practices and coordinate local, state and federal agency resources to help reduce identified produce safety risks, and make progress toward compliance with state and federal regulations.
landen.mqtcondist@gmail.com
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Elise Desjarlais, Lake to Lake CISMA Coordinator
Elise serves as coordinator of the Lake to Lake Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (L2L CISMA), a multi-agency and multi-community group working to provide protection of native habitats by reducing the threat of non-native and invasive plant species. Her main duties include writing grant applications, grant reporting, maintaining L2L CISMA internal documents, coordinating the steering committee, and organizing the field work. The L2L CISMA service area includes Alger, Marquette, Delta and Schoolcraft counties, and her program is available to any organization or individual within that area. Elise can be reached at l2lcisma@gmail.com, or at 906-251-3068 |
Alger Conservation District Board of Directors:
John Highlen - Chairman of the Board
Rowan Bunce - Vice-Chairman of the Board
James DeDecker - Secretary
Hilary Ludecke - Treasurer
Hans Ericksen - Director at Large
Barb Isom - Associate Board Member
Charlie Todd - Associate Board Member