Volunteers Needed for Stewardship Workdays in Southeastern Michigan

State recreation officials today announced the schedule of volunteer stewardship workdays to be held throughout March in southeast Michigan state parks and recreation areas.

Volunteers are needed to 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 southeast Michigan state parks, and March is the last opportunity to remove shrubs before spring. Volunteering for these workdays is a great way to get outdoors, breathe some fresh air, and keep active.

Dates, times and locations of the workdays are as follows:
  • Saturday, March 3 Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • Sunday, March 4 Algonac State Park (St. Clair County), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • Saturday, March 10 Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to noon 
  • Saturday, March 17 Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • Sunday, March 18 Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • Saturday, March 24 Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
  • Saturday, March 24 Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • Sunday, March 25 Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteers should bring 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 some sites, especially 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 or via email. Any questions should be directed to Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov.