MI DNR organizing volunteer stewardship opportunities in Southwest Michigan

Southwest Michigan residents will now have more opportunities to get involved with their favorite state parks and learn about native ecosystems by volunteering for stewardship workdays with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR’s Stewardship Unit in the Parks and Recreation Division works with volunteers, scouts, community groups, Master Gardeners, students, and others interested in habitat protection in state parks and recreation areas. The Volunteer Stewardship program is a great way to spend time outdoors while helping to preserve and protect Michigan’s unique habitats, such as the freshwater dunes that line Lake Michigan, prairies, prairie fens and other habitat that supports rare and endangered species.

The DNR Volunteer Stewardship program in southwest Michigan will kick off this fall by collecting native grass and wildflower seed from prairie and oak savanna ecosystems. Nearly eliminated by development, remnants of this important habitat still exist in Michigan’s state parks and recreation areas. Seeds will be used in state parks to restore prairie habitat to support rare species. Seed collection days will begin in October at Fort Custer Recreation Area in Kalamazoo County and Grand Mere State Park in Berrien County.

“Volunteers have been an important asset in our commitment to improving habitat at our state parks and recreation areas. Through their efforts, we’re helping preserve natural ecosystems for future generations,” said Ray Fahlsing, DNR stewardship unit manager.

Other volunteer opportunities will include invasive plant and shrub removal, seedling planting and habitat monitoring at nine state parks and recreation areas including: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), Warren Woods State Park (Berrien County), Grand Mere State Park (Berrien County), Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County), P.J. Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County), Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County), Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County) and Ionia Recreation Area (Ionia County).

Volunteer opportunities in October will focus on local native seed collection for ongoing habitat restoration efforts. The fall work season will also include invasive shrub removal from November through December at Fort Custer and Yankee Springs Recreation Areas. A complete schedule of seed collection dates and other volunteer opportunities in southwest Michigan, including meeting times, locations and a registration form are available on the DNR website: www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers then click on the “Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays” link.

For more information on seed collecting or the volunteer stewardship program in southwest Michigan parks, contact Heidi Frei, Southwest Michigan natural resources steward, at 269-685-6851 x147 or freih@michigan.gov.

The Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. To learn more, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.