Volunteer at a Michigan State Park in June; support PlayCleanGo

Volunteer Martha Gruelle helps out with invasive species
plant removal at Belle Isle State Park (DNR photo)
Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays in June.
The workdays support the first PlayCleanGo Awareness Week, taking place June 1–8, with events across North America encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to take action to avoid spreading invasive plants and pests while enjoying the activities they love.
Volunteers are needed to remove garlic mustard, an invasive plant that threatens native habitats. Workdays are an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors getting to know Michigan’s state parks and their unique ecosystems. 
“Garlic mustard is a good example of an invasive plant easily spread through outdoor activities,” said Heidi Frei, DNR natural resources steward. “The PlayCleanGo campaign is a simple reminder to clean shoes, clothing and gear before moving on to a new location. This can include brushing off mud, seeds and plant fragments and hosing down bikes and ORVs to ensure invasive species aren’t carried to the next destination.” 
Workdays are scheduled for:
• Saturday, June 1: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 1: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 1: Van Buren State Park (Van Buren County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 5: Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 8: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, June 8: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 15: Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 15: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 22: Ludington State Park (Mason County), 10 a.m. to noon.
• Saturday, June 22: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 22: Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 29: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 29: Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 29: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For information on meeting locations and directions to parks and to complete the stewardship volunteer registration form, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers. See the Volunteer Calendar for event specifics.
Learn more about preventing the spread of invasive species by following the Take Action tab at Michigan.gov/Invasives.
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