Volunteers Needed for Stewardship Workdays in Southeastern Michigan in December

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced the schedule of volunteer stewardship workdays to be held throughout December in southeastern Michigan state parks and recreation areas.

Volunteers are needed to help cut invasive shrubs in natural areas within state parks and recreation areas. This activity will help protect and restore the unique natural areas in these Southeastern Michigan state parks and improve habitat for special fauna and flora. Volunteering for these workdays is a great way to GO-Get Outdoors and get a bit of exercise before the holidays.

Dates, times and locations of the workdays are as follows:

• Saturday, Dec. 3 Algonac State Park (St. Clair County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 4 Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County), 1 to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 10 Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 10 Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 11 Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 1 to 4 p.m.

Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants, boots, gloves, and drinking water. Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for fen and other wetland sites. A limited number of waterproof boots are available to borrow upon request.

For information about the specific tasks at each workday and to obtain directions, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers and link to the “Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays.” All volunteers are asked to register using the form available on the website. Any questions should be directed to Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov.