Volunteers needed to help restore natural habitat in SW, SE Michigan state parks and recreation areas

Michigan State recreation officials recently announced the schedule of volunteer stewardship activities for the month of September at state parks and recreation areas throughout southeastern and southwestern Michigan.

Becoming a volunteer for the workdays is a great way for campers, park users and area residents to Go Get Outdoors in a nearby state park, breathe some fresh air, have fun and get some exercise – all while enjoying the scenery.

Activities vary by park and include invasive shrub removal, mapping and invasive herbaceous plant pulling. Some plants, such as barberry and privet, were once planted as common landscape plants and now threaten to change the habitats of birds and other species. Volunteers will learn to identify these plants and make a big impact by properly removing them from natural areas. Native seed collection for plantings will also begin this month at select parks. No experience is necessary and training and equipment are provided.
 
Southeast Michigan
Dates, times and locations of the workdays are as follows:

• Saturday, Sept. 8 – Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to noon
• Sunday, Sept. 9 – Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 15 – Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 16 – Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 22 – Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 23 – Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 29 – Sterling State Park (Monroe County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 30 – Algonac State Park (St. Clair County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work (including long pants and sturdy closed-toed shoes) and bring gloves and drinking water. All volunteers are asked to register using the form available on the website (below) or via email. Any questions should be directed to Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov.


Southwest Michigan
Dates, times and locations of group workdays are as follows:

• Saturday, Sept. 8 – P.J. Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County); 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 9 – Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County); 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 15 – Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County); 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 16 – Ionia State Recreation Area (Ionia County); 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 22 – Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County); 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 23 – Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County); 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 29 – Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County); 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 30 – Grand Mere State Park (Berrien County); 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work (including long pants and sturdy, closed-toed 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 email 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. To get information about the activities at each workday, find directions or park information or 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.