Volunteer stewardship opportunities for December are available at Michigan state parks

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites residents to get out this December and enjoy Southwest Michigan’s state parks and recreation areas, while helping to protect their habitat. Volunteers are needed for stewardship workdays, which are a great way for area residents and park visitors to GO Get Outdoors, breathe some fresh air, have fun and get a bit of exercise.

Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work (including long pants and sturdy closed-toed shoes) and bring gloves and drinking water. To get information about the activities on 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.”

Experience is not required, and training and equipment are provided. Workday dates, times and locations are as follows:

Southwest Parks

• Saturday, Dec. 1: Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 2: Grand Mere State Park (Berrien County), 1 to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 8: Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 9: Ionia State Recreation Area (Ionia County), 1 to 4 p.m. 

Interested volunteers should contact Heidi Frei at 269-685-6851 ext. 147 or freih@michigan.gov for registration or questions about the workdays. 

Southeast Parks

• Saturday, Dec. 1: Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 2: Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County), 1 to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 8: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, Dec. 8: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 9: Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 1 to 4 p.m.

Any questions should be directed to Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov.