Enjoy the season, volunteer with friends and family at Michigan state parks and recreation areas

December offers several opportunities for residents to get outdoors, enjoy Michigan state parks and recreation areas in southwest Michigan, and help protect habitat within these parks. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced the December schedule of volunteer stewardship activities at southwest Michigan state parks and recreation areas. No experience is necessary and training and equipment are provided. Volunteering for these workdays is a great way to spend time outdoors at the state's scenic parks.

Workday dates, locations (counties) and times are:

• Saturday, Dec. 14 - Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 15 - Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo), 1 to 4 p.m.

Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work (including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes) and bring gloves and drinking water. For information about workday activities, directions or park information, or to check the Volunteer Steward calendar of events, visit www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers and link to the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays. Please contact Heidi Frei at 269-685-6851 ext. 147 or freih@michigan.gov for registration or questions about the Volunteer Steward workdays.

The Volunteer Steward program is part of the DNR 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.” Workdays are held each weekend at select parks in southwest Michigan.