Stewardship volunteers needed throughout June in southern Michigan state parks

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host a number of volunteer stewardship workdays at state parks and recreation areas in southwest and southeast Michigan throughout the month of June.

Volunteers are needed to locate and pull non-native, invasive weeds, such as garlic mustard, dame’s rocket and narrow-leaved bitter-cress, which threaten to crowd out native plants in high-quality woodlands. Removal is similar to weeding a garden and is an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors while restoring Michigan’s ecosystems and learning about its inhabitants.

The Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays (which includes workday details, the stewardship volunteer registration form and links to individual park maps and directions) is available on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers. All volunteers are asked to register either by using the form or via email.

Southeast Michigan workday dates, locations (counties) and times

• Saturday, June 3: Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 3: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, June 4: Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 10: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m. to noon 
• Sunday, June 11: Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 17: Belle Isle Park (Wayne), 9 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, June 24: Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, June 25: Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Southwest Michigan workday dates, locations (counties) and times

• Saturday, June 3: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, June 4: P.J. Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 10: Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, June 11: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 15: Holland State Park (Ottawa), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 17: P.J. Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, June 22: Holland State Park (Ottawa), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 24: Van Buren State Park (Van Buren), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 28: Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo), 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Volunteers should bring work gloves, drinking water and appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.

For more information on park stewardship volunteer opportunities, contact:

• Southeastern Michigan state parks:
  Laurel Malvitz-Draper, 517-719-2285 or [email protected]
  
• Southwestern Michigan state parks:
  Heidi Frei, 517-202-1360 or [email protected]

The DNR’s Volunteer Stewardship Program is a hands-on way for all ages to learn about and protect Michigan’s natural resources by collecting native seeds, removing invasive species, conducting plant and animal surveys and other activities. Other ways to volunteer with the DNR include joining a state park friends group, serving as a campground host or a lightkeeper and many other opportunities.