Stewardship volunteers needed throughout July in southern Michigan state parks

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host a number of volunteer stewardship workdays at state parks and recreation areas in southeast and southwest Michigan throughout July.

Volunteers are needed to locate and remove non-native, invasive plants, such as spotted knapweed, Japanese hedge parsley, sweet clover, buckthorn, honeysuckle and barberry to help restore prairie ecosystems and fen and forested dune sites. These activities are an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors, while restoring Michigan's ecosystems and learning about its inhabitants.

The Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays (which includes workday details, the stewardship volunteer registration form and links to individual park maps and directions) is available on the DNR website at http://www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers. All volunteers are asked to register either by using the form or via email.

Southeast Michigan workday dates, locations (counties) and times:

• Saturday, July 8: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, July 8: Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, July 9: Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston), 9 a.m. to noon
• Wednesday, July 12: Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, July 15: Belle Isle Park (Wayne), 9 a.m. to noon
• Sunday, July 16: Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, July 22: Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston), 9 a.m. to noon
• Sunday July 23: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday July 23: Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 9 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, July 29: Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, July 29: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Southwest Michigan workday dates, locations (counties) and times:

• Saturday, July 8: Grand Mere State Park (Berrien), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, July 9: Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry), 1 to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, July 13: Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo) 10 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, July 15: Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, July 16: Muskegon State Park (Muskegon), 1 to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, July 22: Grand Mere State Park (Berrien), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, July 29: P.J. Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers should bring work gloves, drinking water and appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.

For more information on park stewardship volunteer opportunities, contact:

• Southeastern Michigan state parks: Laurel Malvitz-Draper, 517-719-2285 or malvitzl@michigan.gov
• Southwestern Michigan state parks: Heidi Frei, 517-202-1360 or freih@michigan.gov

The DNR's Volunteer Stewardship 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 other activities. 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.