"Your Local source for all your conservation and natural resource needs"
Meet the Team
Mike McCarthy
Executive Director
Mike McCarthy joined the Conservation District in the summer of 2013 as the District’s MAEAP Technician. Mike served in that role until 2017 and now serves as the Executive Director. Mike holds a bachelor’s degree from Lake Superior State University in Conservation Leadership and a master’s degree from Slippery Rock University in Parks and Resource Management. Mike has held previous positions with Michigan State University Extension, Montcalm Conservation District, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Lake Superior State University. In his free time Mike and his wife Karen enjoy traveling, visiting with friends and family, and spending time outdoors (biking, camping, hiking, kayaking, and skiing).
Nick Cassel
Invasive Species Program Coordinator
Nick Cassel joined the Conservation District as the Invasive Species Program Coordinator for the Three Shores CISMA in the Fall of 2012. Nick has lived in Sault Ste Marie since 2006 and like many individuals in natural resource field Nick has always enjoyed the great outdoors. Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management from Lake Superior State University and has held varying positions with the Michigan DNR, US Forest Service, and US Fish & Wildlife Service prior to his position with CLMCD.
Jen Parks
Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program Technicain
Jen Parks joined the Conservation District in 2018 as the MAEAP Technician. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Conservation from Northern Michigan University and a Master's Degree in Natural Resource Based Parks and Recreation Management from Michigan State University. Former experience includes natural resource and watershed conservation positions in Michigan, Oregon and Arizona with state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations.
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Jen was raised on a cherry, apple and Christmas tree farm in northern lower Michigan. She now lives in Dafter with her family and loves life in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
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Jen believes in MAEAP because it’s about working in partnership with landowners to improve watershed conditions by reducing environmental impacts.
David Chickering
Conservation Engineer
Dylan Parker
Forestry Assistance Program Forester
Marquita Mullen
Special Projects Technician
David Chickering joined the Conservation District in 2019 as the Conservation Technical Assistance Initiative (CTAI) Engineer. The CTAI program is a partnership between federal, state, and local units of government, working together to assist farmers and rural landowners interested in implementing conservation practices on their land. David holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biosystems Engineering with a concentration in Ecosystems Engineering from Michigan State University. David was born and raised in Petoskey and has worked as a diversified vegetable farmer in central and northern lower Michigan for the past 6 years.
Marquita Mullen joined the Conservation District in 2017 as one of our Invasive Species Technicians. In 2018 Marquita joined our team again as our Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Inspector and assists with our Hunting Access Program, Tree Sale, Invasive Species Program, Deer Habitat Improvement Program, and other projects that the District conducts. Marquita is a from Sault Ste Marie and graduated from Northern Michigan University. In her free time Marquita enjoys yoga, spending time with her family and spoiling her daughter Willa and husband Paul.
USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Staff
Dylan Parker joined the Conservation District as the District Forester for the Forestry Assistance Program in the summer on 2019. Dylan provides education on forestry and land management and provides hands on expertise for landowners interested in promoting their natural resources. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Forestry from Michigan Technological University. He takes all opportunities to be outside enjoying nature.
Madeleine Cantu
District Conservationist
Madeleine Cantu is a District Conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Along with Pat, she assists landowners with natural resources management planning and land use resource assessment, as well as with contract and application management.
Madeleine has been in the Sault Sainte Marie field office for over three years, and has worked in several states in the past (ND, OK, MT, and TX). She has two hairy dogs and likes major league soccer (which is like hockey to you northerners). She also likes to knit, crochet, bike, hike, and camp - as long as the black flies and ticks aren't trying to carry her away! You can reach her at , or by phone at (906) 632-9611 extension 8054.
Pat Carr
Soil Conservation Technician
Pat Carr is a Soil Conservation Technician with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, where he assists landowners with natural resources management planning. Carr assesses natural resource concerns and landowner land use objectives and develops environmentally-protective strategies and funding sources to help landowners realize land use goals. He has provided assistance to diverse landowners including forest landowners, livestock farmers, municipalities, and State Agencies. Carr loves everything outdoors, including hunting and fishing. You can reach him at pat.carr@usda.gov.
