Volunteers needed for stewardship at southern Michigan state parks

Spending a day outdoors at one of Michigan's state
parks for a volunteer stewardship workday is a great
way to make a real difference for the state's natural
areas. Plenty of opportunities are coming up in
November. (DNR photo)

Helpers of all ages are invited to enjoy the cool November weather while helping to restore high-quality, unique ecosystems and learning more about them during volunteer stewardship workdays at several Michigan state parks.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently released its November workday schedule. Volunteers are needed to cut invasive, non-native shrubs like glossy buckthorn, autumn olive and multi-flora rose, which threaten important ecosystems.

Workday dates, parks (counties) and times include:

Southeast Michigan

• Sunday, Nov. 1: Highland (Oakland), 1-4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 7: Belle Isle (Wayne), 9 a.m.-noon
• Sunday, Nov. 8: Pinckney (Washtenaw), 1-4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 14: Bald Mountain (Oakland), 9 a.m.-noon
• Saturday, Nov. 21: Belle Isle (Wayne), 9 a.m.-noon

Southwest Michigan

• Sunday, Nov. 1: Fort Custer (Kalamazoo), 1-4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 7: Yankee Springs (Barry), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 8: Warren Woods (Berrien), 1-4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 14: Fort Custer (Kalamazoo), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov.15:  Holland (Ottawa), 1-4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 21: Muskegon (Muskegon), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 22:  Saugatuck Dunes (Allegan), 1-4 p.m.

Volunteers should bring work gloves, drinking water and appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Workday details, maps and directions can be found on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers; click the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays link.

All volunteers are asked to register using the form available on the DNR website or via email. For information about southeastern Michigan park workdays, contact Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 517-719-2285 or malvitzl@michigan.gov. For information about southwestern Michigan park workdays, contact 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 protect Michigan'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.