Southwest, Southeast Michigan state parks volunteer workdays announced

Summertime is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy state parks and recreation areas in Lower Michigan while helping to protect their habitats.

State recreation officials recently announced the schedule of volunteer stewardship activities for the month of July at state parks and recreation areas in Southwest and Southeast Michigan.

Volunteering for these workdays is a perfect way to GO Get Outdoors, breathe some fresh air, have fun and get a bit of exercise while taking in the stunning scenery.

Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive, non-native shrub species that negatively affect Michigan’s forests and other systems. Some of these plants, such as barberry and privet, were once planted as a common landscape plant and now threaten to change habitat for birds and other species. Volunteers will learn to identify these plants and properly remove them from natural areas. No experience is necessary; training and equipment are provided.

Workday dates, times and locations for Southwest Michigan parks are as follows:

• Sunday, July 1 – Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, July 14 – Ionia State Recreation Area (Ionia County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, July 15 – Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, July 21 – Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, July 22 – Grand Mere State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, July 28 – Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, July 29 – Warren Woods State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Workday dates, times and locations for Southeast Michigan parks are as follows:
Sunday, July 1 – Algonac State Park (St. Clair County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Sunday, July 1 – Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 11 – Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, July 12 – Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 4 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, July 14 – Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, July 14 – Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, July 14 – Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, July 15 – Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 18 – Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, July 21 – Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, July 22 – Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, July 29 – Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers earning the most hours for removal of invasive species in state parks and recreation areas from April through the end of July will receive a free Recreation Passport T-shirt for showing their dedication to our natural resources. The supply of shirts is limited and will be awarded to the top 40 volunteers in Southeast Michigan.

Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work (including long pants and sturdy closed-toe shoes) and bring gloves and drinking water. For pulling spotted knapweed, volunteers should also wear long-sleeved shirts, as some individuals may be sensitive to this plant.

Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work (including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes) and bring gloves and drinking water. All volunteers are asked to register using the forms available on the Department of Natural Resources website.

Please contact Heidi Frei at 269-685-6851 ext. 147 or freih@michigan.gov for registration or questions about the Volunteer Steward workdays in Southwest Michigan parks.

Please contact Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov for registration or questions about the Volunteer Steward workdays in Southeast Michigan parks.

The Volunteer Steward program is part of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division Stewardship Unit’s mission to preserve, protect and restore the natural and cultural resources present within Michigan state parks for this and future generations. To get information about the activities at each workday, find directions or park information, or to check the Volunteer Steward calendar of events, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers and link to the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays.