Volunteers needed this month for stewardship workdays at Michigan State Parks

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced the May schedule of volunteer stewardship workdays at state parks in southern Michigan. Workday details, maps and directions can be found on the DNR website atwww.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers on the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays.

Volunteers are needed to pull non-native, invasive weeds such as garlic mustard, dame’s rocket and narrow-leaved bitter-cress that threaten to take over in high-quality woodlands. This activity is a great way to enjoy the outdoors in the spring, see wildflowers, restore unique ecosystems and learn more about them and their inhabitants.

Workday dates, locations (counties) and times include:

• Saturday, May 7: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m.-noon 
• Saturday, May 7: Sterling State Park (Monroe), 9 a.m.-noon 
• Saturday, May 7: Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• Saturday, May 7: P.J. Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon), 10 a.m-1 p.m 
• Wednesday, May 11: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 
• Wednesday, May 11: Van Buren State Park (Van Buren), 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Saturday, May 14: Muskegon State Park (Muskegon), 10 a.m-1 p.m
• Saturday, May 14: Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Saturday, May 14: Algonac State Park (St. Clair), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Saturday, May 14: Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Saturday, May 14: Proud Lake Recreation Area (Oakland), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Saturday, May 14: Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• Sunday, May 15: Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Sunday, May 15: Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan), 1-4 p.m.
• Sunday, May 15: Ludington State Park (Mason), 1-4 p.m.
• Saturday, May 21: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m.-noon
• Saturday, May 21: Belle Isle Park (Wayne), 9 a.m.-noon
• Saturday, May 21: Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 9 a.m.-noon
• Saturday, May 21: P.J. Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon), 10 a.m-1 p.m 
• Sunday, May 22: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien), 1-4 p.m.
• Sunday, May 22: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Sunday, May 22: Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 25: Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Volunteers should bring work gloves, drinking water and appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. All volunteers are asked to register using the form available on the DNR website or via email. 

Any questions regarding southeastern parks should be directed to Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 517-719-2285 or malvitzl@michigan.gov. Any questions about southwestern parks should be directed to Heidi Frei at 517-202-1360 or freih@michigan.gov.

The DNR's Volunteer Steward Program is a hands-on way for all ages to learn about and protectMichigan's natural resources by collecting native seeds, removing invasive species, conducting plant and animal surveys and more. Other ways to volunteer with the DNR include joining a state park friends group, serving as a campground host or a lightkeeper and many other opportunities. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers.