The Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials have scheduled volunteer stewardship workdays for the month of August in parks and recreation areas throughout the southwestern district.
That includes a workday at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon. The project is scheduled for Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Volunteering for the workdays is a great way to be outdoors and get a bit of exercise while helping protect a part of Michigan’s delicate natural resources.
Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive, non-native shrub and herbaceous species that negatively affect forests and other systems. Some of these plants, such as barberry and privet, were once planted as a common landscape plant and now threaten to change habitat for birds and other species. Volunteers will learn to identify these plants and properly remove them from natural areas. No experience is necessary. Training and equipment are provided.
Other dates and locations for workdays include:
- Saturday, Aug. 4, Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 5, Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 19, Ionia State Recreation Area (Ionia County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 25, Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 26, Warren Woods 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 should bring gloves and drinking water.
For details about each workday and to obtain maps and directions, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers and link to the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays. All volunteers are asked to register using the forms available on the website or by email. Any questions should be directed to Heidi Frei at 269-685-6851 ext. 147 or email [email protected].
