State Park volunteers needed for stewardship workdays in Southeast Michigan

Michigan recreation officials recently announced the schedule of volunteer stewardship workdays to be held throughout May in Southeast Michigan state parks and recreation areas.

Volunteers are needed to search for and pull invasive, non-native garlic mustard plants in natural areas within state parks and recreation areas. This activity will help protect and restore the unique woodlands in these Southeast Michigan state parks. At the Sterling State Park workday on May 19, volunteers will be planting native prairie seedlings to restore rare lakeplain prairie and Great Lakes marsh ecosystems. Volunteering for these workdays is a great way to Go Get Outdoors, breathe some fresh spring air, and be active.

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

• Saturday, May 5: Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, May 6: Algonac State Park (St. Clair County), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday, May 6: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, May 12: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, May 12: Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, May 19: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, May 19: Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, May 19: Sterling State Park (Monroe County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, May 20: Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers earning the most hours for removal of garlic mustard and other invasive species in state parks and recreation areas from April through the end of July will receive a free Recreation Passport t-shirt to show their dedication to our natural resources. Shirts are limited and will be awarded to the top 40 volunteers in Southeast Michigan.

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

For details about each workday and to obtain maps and 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.