Community Service Projects
Class of 2018: Beetle Mania
Leadership Charlevoix County Class of 2018 partnered with the Tip of Mitt Watershed Council to bring attention to the problem Purple Loosestrife is creating and beginning to try to manage it in Charlevoix County. They worked with the Friends of the Boyne River, The Lake Charlevoix Association, and several other local waterway associations to determine the release sites. We expect to release the beetles in mid-June.
Managing Purple Loosestrife is important, notes members of the Leadership Charlevoix County class. Once established, loosestrife stands are difficult and costly to remove by mechanical and chemical means. The LCC class of 2018 opted for the biological control method—the introduction of its natural predator, Galerucella beetles, or Purple Loosestrife beetle. Releasing these beetles establishes a long-term population of beetles at the infestation site. Rather than replacing one invasive species with another, the beetles feed almost exclusively on Purple Loosestrife and once their food source is gone, the beetles will die off as well.
Managing Purple Loosestrife is important, notes members of the Leadership Charlevoix County class. Once established, loosestrife stands are difficult and costly to remove by mechanical and chemical means. The LCC class of 2018 opted for the biological control method—the introduction of its natural predator, Galerucella beetles, or Purple Loosestrife beetle. Releasing these beetles establishes a long-term population of beetles at the infestation site. Rather than replacing one invasive species with another, the beetles feed almost exclusively on Purple Loosestrife and once their food source is gone, the beetles will die off as well.
Class of 2017: Wipe Your Feet!
This year’s Leadership Charlevoix County Class is hard at work on their Community Service Project; installing at least five Boot Cleaning Stations at local trails in Charlevoix County to reduce the spread of invasive species. The project is affectionately called “Wipe Your Feet!” This project's mission is to promote and increase awareness in Charlevoix County of invasive species through the installation of public trail head boot brush stations and educational kiosks.
Invasive species can impact our local nature trails and parks, and most of us don’t even notice when they appear. Similar to the effect zebra mussels have on our lakes, if we aren’t careful, invasive plants can spread all over our beautiful Northern Michigan habitat.
As Benjamin Franklin said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The boot brush stations will help keep our natural areas free of invasive species like Garlic Mustard, which overruns our woodlands in the spring. Seeds of invasive plants can get lodged in boot treads, pant cuffs, or pet fur. Invasive plants displace native plants that are critical to wildlife, and once they become established are costly and even impossible to control.
So, help prevent the spread, CLEAN YOUR BOOTS, pants, pets, and packs before and after hitting the trail.
This project is in partnership with CAKE CISMA (Charlevoix Antrim Kalkaska Emmet Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area).
Invasive species can impact our local nature trails and parks, and most of us don’t even notice when they appear. Similar to the effect zebra mussels have on our lakes, if we aren’t careful, invasive plants can spread all over our beautiful Northern Michigan habitat.
As Benjamin Franklin said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The boot brush stations will help keep our natural areas free of invasive species like Garlic Mustard, which overruns our woodlands in the spring. Seeds of invasive plants can get lodged in boot treads, pant cuffs, or pet fur. Invasive plants displace native plants that are critical to wildlife, and once they become established are costly and even impossible to control.
So, help prevent the spread, CLEAN YOUR BOOTS, pants, pets, and packs before and after hitting the trail.
This project is in partnership with CAKE CISMA (Charlevoix Antrim Kalkaska Emmet Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area).
Class of 2016: Born Learning Trail
This year's class chose to partner with Char-Em United Way and build 3 "Born Learning Trails" in the communities of Boyne City, Charlevoix, and East Jordan. The trails are located at Shanahan Field in Charlevoix, the Rotary Park in Boyne City, and East Jordan Elementary School.
The Born Learning Trail is a United Way public engagement campaign that uses outdoor activities to boost language and literacy development and to help caregivers understand how best to support early learning in everyday outdoor moments, said Alissa Post, Leadership Charlevoix class member.
There are 10 signs on the Born Learning Trail, each including activities such as "Imagine! Create! Pretend!" which encourages the caregiver to spur the child’s imagination and storytelling skills, building the child’s curiosity and confidence and "See! Say! Point! Read!" which builds letter and sound recognition through word play and rhymes.
“We know that what happens in a child’s early years impacts school readiness and success in life,” Post said. “We want to help parents and caregivers use everyday outings, including trips to the park to support that learning.”
The Born Learning Trail is a United Way public engagement campaign that uses outdoor activities to boost language and literacy development and to help caregivers understand how best to support early learning in everyday outdoor moments, said Alissa Post, Leadership Charlevoix class member.
There are 10 signs on the Born Learning Trail, each including activities such as "Imagine! Create! Pretend!" which encourages the caregiver to spur the child’s imagination and storytelling skills, building the child’s curiosity and confidence and "See! Say! Point! Read!" which builds letter and sound recognition through word play and rhymes.
“We know that what happens in a child’s early years impacts school readiness and success in life,” Post said. “We want to help parents and caregivers use everyday outings, including trips to the park to support that learning.”
Class of 2015: Trail-Head at Rogers Family Homestead
Partnering with the City of East Jordan and the Little Traverse Conservancy, this year's class took the lead in East Jordan by assessing the current needs of one of the city's biggest potential park accesses. "In an effort to draw visitors to the area and bring awareness to the land conservancy, we're partnering with Little Traverse Conservancy and the City of East Jordan to provide a safe place to park at an easily accessible trail-head within walking distance of downtown. The area will be outfitted with benches and signs that will define the use of the trial, and it will be lined with repurposed, natural boulders." -- Nick Pulver, Class of 2015.
The picturesque hiking trail, which was once only accessed by an entrance approximately 3 miles from East Jordan, is now easily accessible from downtown East Jordan and ready for visitors!
The picturesque hiking trail, which was once only accessed by an entrance approximately 3 miles from East Jordan, is now easily accessible from downtown East Jordan and ready for visitors!
Class of 2014: Boyne City Dog Park
The class of 2014 went to the dogs! This year's animal lovers came up with an initiative to develop and launch dog parks in each of the three Charlevoix County Communities - Boyne City, Charlevoix & East Jordan - during 2014. With much success & support, Boyne City was the first of these initiatives. With partnerships from the Charlevoix County Humane Society and MI Roots Wear, the 2014 class was able to successfully launch the Boyne City Dog Park, which has now taken on a life of its own with support from the community and partners, including the City of Boyne City, The Charlevoix Humane Society, and the Ridge Run Dog Park Project.
Charlevoix and East Jordan Communities are still in the planning stages of this project - stay tuned for more @ www.facebook.com/ridgerundogpark
Charlevoix and East Jordan Communities are still in the planning stages of this project - stay tuned for more @ www.facebook.com/ridgerundogpark
Class of 2013: Wheels to Water- Access for all at Whiting Park
The beautiful Whiting Park beach and famous Lake Charlevoix water will now be accessible to all. The installation of Mobimats and a beach and water access Mobichair will provide a safe and reliable pathway to navigate the beach and and enjoy the lake. Access for individuals previously not able to take advantage of
the waterfront areas will become a reality. Mobimats improve access to the water for:
the waterfront areas will become a reality. Mobimats improve access to the water for:
- Wheelchairs
- Power Chairs
- Individuals using walkers
- Individuals using canes
- Those not steady walking in deep sand
- Strollers and wagons
Class of 2012: The Boyne Area Free Clinic
The class worked with the Boyne Area Free Clinic in Boyne City to help address three major areas within the organization:
1) Help them develop a strategic plan for their organization
2) Assist with grant writing to help meet the needs of the clinic
3) Involve the community in sprucing up the building -- interior and exterior, including a new sign
1) Help them develop a strategic plan for their organization
2) Assist with grant writing to help meet the needs of the clinic
3) Involve the community in sprucing up the building -- interior and exterior, including a new sign
Leadership Charlevoix County | 109 Mason St. | Charlevoix, MI 49720
