Michigan DNR salutes state park volunteers’ efforts

During any given year thousands of volunteer hours go into helping strengthen and preserve Michigan’s state park system. In conjunction with National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wishes to salute its volunteers and extend its appreciation to the many people who willingly offer their time, talents, and energy to ensure Michigan’s state parks remain the special places where visitors have the maximum opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.

“We want all our volunteers, whether they be children or adults, businesses or community organizations, to know that by choosing to make a difference, their contributions are helping improve the quality of our parks, our programs, and the environment we all live in,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division.

The DNR has several programs through which Michigan outdoor enthusiasts of all ages have donated time, talent, and financial support. The Friends of the Parks’ groups are nonprofit associations that help with fundraising efforts, recruit volunteers, lead restoration projects, and provide educational programs for the public. In 2011, Michigan’s state parks’ Friends groups donated over 30,000 service hours and nearly $1 million in funds for park improvements.

Hosts in both the modern and rustic campgrounds spent over 60,000 hours in 2011 greeting and organizing events for campers. Eight Adopt-a-Park groups donated some 200 hours working on projects involving spring clean-ups, environmental activities, accessibility projects, special events, park maintenance and development and public information and training. Scouts volunteer hundreds of hours annually while earning their Conservation Stewardship badges and working in the parks.

“Volunteers offer invaluable assistance in helping preserve our environment and ensuring Michigan’s woods and waters remain the beautiful, natural retreats they are intended to be,” Olson said. “Our stewardship volunteer groups routinely do battle with invasive plant species during scheduled weekly work days, and volunteers on state land picked up approximately 80,000 tires in one year, which when laid end to end, would cross the Mackinac Bridge five times.”

As more people continue to discover the value of the state parks through the Recreation Passport, the parks are experiencing a surge in usage. Currently less than 50 percent of Michigan state parks have active Friends of the Park groups. More volunteers are needed. To learn more about volunteering in Michigan state parks, visit www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers.