Workday dates, activities, and locations are listed below. Workdays are scheduled and posted quarterly. Please check this site to make sure you have the most up-to-date information since meeting locations may need to change. 

Volunteer workdays are sponsored by the State Park Stewardship Unit to help protect and restore natural areas in our state parks and recreation areas.

Monthly workdays are held at:

Algonac State Park , Bald Mountain Recreation Area , Brighton Recreation Area , Highland Recreation Area , Island Lake Recreation Area , Pinckney Recreation Area ,  Waterloo Recreation Area .

Occasional workdays are also held at:

Fort Custer Recreation Area , Grand Mere State Park , Seven Lakes State Park , Sterling State Park , Warren Dunes State Park , Warren Woods State Park .                                        

Please scroll  below the calendar for more information.  To register for all work days click here.                                                  

May 2009

Saturday, May 30, 2009
Algonac State Park , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Want to enjoy a day of planting native wetland plants?  The site may be wet so bring your waterproof boots and meet us on Roberts Road.  If we don't have the plugs to plant we will switch gears and pull garlic mustard, so please come prepared for either activity.  From the headquarters, head north on M-29 and turn left onto Roberts Road.  Roadside parking.  If you're interested in planting during the week, please call for more information.   

Saturday, May 30, 2009
Waterloo Recreation Area ,  10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help pull invasive garlic mustard and keep it from invading this beautiful woodland. Meet at the park headquarters at 16345 McClure Road in Chelsea.  Please arrive on time, as we may break into teams and caravan to different sites.   

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sterling State Park , 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

We will restore lakeplain prairie by planting native grasses and wildflowers.  Meet at the park headquarters at 2800 State Park Road, Monroe, MI 48162.  There may be an opportunity to plant during the week.  If you're interested in helping, please contact me for more information. 

June 2009   

Saturday, June 6, 2009
Waterloo Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help us plant native grasses and wildflowers in a demonstration prairie near the Discovery Center.  Meet at the Discovery Center lower parking lot off of Bush Road. If there are seedlings left to plant after this workday, you can help plant on your own during the following week.  Please call for more information.    

Sunday, June 7, 2009
Pinckney Recreation Area , 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.    Help us plant wildflowers near the entrance to Pickerel Lake. Meet at the entrance to the Pickerel Lake boating access site on Hankerd Road. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the entrance on the right.  If there are seedlings left to plant after this workday, you can help plant on your own during the following week.  Please call for more information.    

Saturday, June 13, 2009
Highland Recreation Area , 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Plant native wildflowers and be a part of the prairie and barrens restoration at the Silo Field Trial Area .   If we have a really large group of volunteers or no plants, we will also be hauling and piling brush.  Meet at the parking lot off Livingston Road, between Pettibone Lake and Beaumont Roads.  

Saturday, June 13, 2009
Island Lake Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help us make a push to get as much of the flowering garlic mustard before it goes to seed.  We will hand pull these weedy, invasive plants. Meet at the Riverbend Picnic Area parking lot. 

Sunday, June 14, 2009
Algonac State Park , 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join us for this second day of removing garlic mustard from the trails and wooded areas.  We really need your help to keep hundreds of invasive seeds out of the seed bank.  Meet in the day use area near the main entrance on M-29. 

Saturday, June 20, 2009
Brighton Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Like to kill weeds?  Help restore this beautiful prairie by removing garlic mustard and sweet clover that could otherwise take over. Meet at the Teahen prairie entrance (look for a state truck where the road makes a 90 degree turns).  Roadside parking. 

Saturday, June 27, 2009
Highland Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us for the last garlic mustard pulling workday of the year!  We need to find the outliers before they invade this beautiful woodland. Meet at the bike trailhead parking lot on the north side of Livingston Road between Duck Lake and Waterbury Roads.  Please arrive on time as we will likely share rides and caravan to a small parking area on Beaumont Road. 

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Brighton Recreation Area , 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Help protect this unique fen ecosystem by removing the glossy buckthorn that threatens to move in and take over.  This will be the only workday in the Bauer Road fen complex this year, so we really need your help!  The timing for this workday is perfect to see a lot of neat plants in bloom.  Join us for the opportunity to learn some of them!  Meet at the entrance to Murray Lake Campground on Bauer Road, between Cunningham Lake and Bishop Lake Roads.  Please call or email Laurel to register for this workday as workday details may change a bit.

July 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Bald Mountain Recreation Area , 9 a.m. to noon

Help remove invasive shrubs that threaten to take over this unique fen site.  We will cut glossy buckthorn out of the open fen area and push back the invading edge of buckthorn!  Meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit.  ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site, but not necessary.  Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Algonac State Park , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Want to take part in restoring globally rare lakeplain prairies and oak openings? Help us cut and stack invasive shrubs that threaten to take over these beautiful areas and enjoy a short summer hike.  Meet on Roberts Road where the county drain crosses.  From the headquarters, head north on M-29 and turn left onto Roberts Road.  Look for a state truck.  Roadside parking. 

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Waterloo Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You will see a huge change in just 3 hours of invasive autumn olive removal at this workday!  We will be cutting, hauling and stacking invasive shrubs that are inundating this prairie.  Our efforts will give the native plants more room to grow.  Meet on Waterloo Road just west of M-52.  Roadside parking.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Waterloo Recreation Area , 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join us as we try to eradicate a patch of black swallow-wort.  This is a relatively new invasive that we're just starting to find more and more in the parks.  Come learn how to identify and control it and nip this patch in the bud before it disperses its seed.  Meet at the Discovery Center 's upper parking lot on Bush R oad.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Pinckney Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Help remove an invasive weed that threatens this dry sand prairie.  We will hand pull spotted knapweed to help improve habitat for native species.  Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant.  Meet at the Halfmoon Lake parking lot closest to Hankerd Road. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the entrance on the left.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Highland Recreation Area , 9 a.m. to noon

Want to help protect Haven Hill Natural Area? Join us in removing the non-native shrubs that threaten to take over these unique woods. This activity will help protect native wildflowers from being crowded out. Meet at the Goose Meadow parking lot near Haven Hill Lake. Enter the park from M-59, and head south past the headquarters to the first parking lot on your right.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Island Lake Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Help hand pull spotted knapweed, an invasive weed that could take over in these neat prairie remnants.  Removing this plant will improve habitat for native species.  Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant.  The easiest access to the prairie remnant where we'll work is from the Green Oak Village Place mall (Lee Road exit on US 23, south of I-96).  Meet in the parking lot by the JCPenney store and look for a state vehicle.  Meeting here will maximize our pulling time since we will need to hike less than a half mile to the site.  Go to http://www.shopsatgreenoak.com/directions.html to get directions to the mall from your starting location and to learn about the "roundabouts" you will drive through to get there! 

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Brighton Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Help! Spotted knapweed is growing in this beautiful prairie.  Join us to remove this invasive non-native plant and restore balance to this ecosystem.  Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant.  Meet at the Teahen Road entrance. Look for a state truck where the road makes a 90 degree turn. Roadside parking.

August 2009

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Island Lake Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Help keep this savanna area beautiful and full of native grasses and wildflowers.  Join us as we cut and pile invasive shrubs like autumn olive and honeysuckle.  Meet at the Meadow Picnic Area parking lot. 

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Algonac State Park , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Help us restore lakeplain prairies and oak openings by removing invasive shrubs.  We will cut and stack these plants that threaten to take over these globally rare areas and enjoy a short summer hike.  Meet on Roberts Road where the county drain crosses.  From the headquarters, head north on M-29 and turn left onto Roberts Road.  Look for a state truck.  Roadside parking. 

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Bald Mountain Recreation Area , 9 a.m. to noon

Help us stay ahead of the glossy buckthorn that threatens to take over this unique fen site.  We will cut the shrubs and pile the brush.  Meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit.  ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site, but not necessary.  Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Highland Recreation Area , Silo Field Trial Area, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join ongoing efforts to restore this area to an open grassland.  Volunteers will be hauling and piling brush and stacking fire wood.  Meet at the Silo Field Trial Area parking lot off Livingston Road, between Pettibone Lake and Beaumont Roads.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Highland Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Want to help remove invasive shrubs from the high quality woodlands at Highland ?  Then join us at this workday!  Meet at the Goose Meadow parking lot near Haven Hill Lake. Enter the park from M-59, and head south past the headquarters to the first parking lot on the right.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Waterloo Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Let's cut invasive shrubs to open up this prairie.  This site is one of our native seed collection sites, so we hope our shrub removal efforts will give the native plants more room to grow.   Meet on Waterloo Road just west of M-52.  Roadside parking.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Pinckney Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Invasive shrubs don't belong in this dry sand prairie.  Help remove them and make room for some neat, native plants.  Meet at the Halfmoon Lake parking lot closest to Hankerd Road. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the entrance on the left.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Brighton Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Removing invasive shrubs from this fen will allow the native grasses and wildflowers to thrive.  Join us for the first summer workday at this fen.  You will learn how to identify glossy buckthorn, an aggressive wetland invader, with its leaves (as opposed to winter ID) and hopefully we'll see lots of neat plants in bloom. Meet at the Little Appleton Lake parking lot.  Head north from Bishop Lake Road toward Appleton Lake and stay to the left.  ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site.  Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Algonac State Park , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join us as we cut and stack invasive shrubs that threaten to take over this beautiful oak opening area.   Meet on Roberts Road where the county drain crosses.  From the headquarters, head north on M-29 and turn left onto Roberts Road.  Look for a state truck.  Roadside parking. 

September 2009

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon

Glossy buckthorn, a non-native wetland invader, doesn't stand a chance to take over if we keep removing it from this fen.  Please join us in this effort!  Meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit.  ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site, but not necessary.  Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too. 

If you are interested, there will be a Prairie Fen Ecology Workshop after the workday from approximately 1 - 4 p.m..  To register for this workshop, put on by the Stewardship Network, please visit: www.stewardshipnetwork.org then click on "Headwaters Cluster" under the Clusters tab.  The workshop costs $30, but the workday from 9 a.m. to noon - as always - is free.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Pinckney Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Want to help remove invasive shrubs that threaten to take over this dry sand prairie and oak barrens?  Help us cut autumn olive and others to make room for native plants.  Meet at the Halfmoon Lake parking lot closest to Hankerd Road. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the entrance on the left.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Island Lake Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon

Clear out invasive shrubs that could otherwise take over this savanna and crowd out native grasses and wildflowers. Meet at the Riverbend Picnic Area parking lot. 

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Waterloo Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We will remove shrubs from this area to restore prairie remnants.  Our shrub cutting efforts will give the native plants more room to grow.  Meet on Waterloo Road just west of M-52.  Roadside parking.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Brighton Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Help! Glossy buckthorn and other invasive shrubs are growing in this beautiful fen.  Meet at the Little Appleton Lake parking lot to tackle these invaders head-on.  Head north from Bishop Lake Road toward Appleton Lake and stay to the left.  ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site.  Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too. 

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Sterling State Park , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with us!  We will be planting native grasses and wildflowers to restore lakeplain prairie.  Meet at the park headquarters at 2800 State Park Road, Monroe, MI 48162.  There may be an opportunity to plant during the week.  If you're interested in helping, please contact me for more information.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Highland Recreation Area , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join our continuing efforts to rid Haven Hill Natural Area of invasive, non-native shrubs.  We will hand cut these plants from high quality woodlands and restore balance to native ecosystems in the process.  Please join us at this workday!  Meet at the Goose Meadow parking lot near Haven Hill Lake. Enter the park from M-59, and head south past the headquarters to the first parking lot on the right.

  Workday Details

Registration

Please complete a  volunteer registration form  or contact Laurel Malvitz at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov   to let her know which workdays you plan to attend.  Registering helps us plan the workdays more effectively so we have enough equipment and so we can divide into groups and assign tasks more easily.

Workday Cancellation

If a workday must be cancelled due to inclement weather or for any other reason, a voice mail message saying so will be posted at 248-359-9057 at least two hours before the scheduled workday start time. If there is no message the event will continue as planned.

 If there is no cancellation message, the workday will go on as planned.

Park Map and Directions

Click on the name of the park or recreation area above to view the park's webpage.  From the park webpage you can print a "Unit Map" and get directions to the park.

What to Wear and Bring

Please remember to wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants and work boots.  Please also bring drinking water, work gloves, and eye protection (especially prescription safety glasses).  Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for fen and other wetland sites.  If you don't have waterproof boots and would like to borrow a pair, please note that when you register and we will try to provide them.

What NOT to Bring

Be sure your outerwear, gloves, and boots are free of mud and hitchhiking seeds before coming to the workday. We don't want to inadvertently spread invasive plant seeds into these high quality natural areas.

Stewardship Announcements

Would you like to receive workday reminders and general stewardship information via email? Please email Laurel Malvitz, malvitzl@michigan.gov , a list of the parks that you are interested in. Please choose from the parks listed at the top of this page.

Motor Vehicle Permit

Please support Michigan 's state parks and recreation areas by purchasing a Motor Vehicle Permit (MVP).  Resident annual ($24) and daily ($6) permits are available at all parks and recreation areas.  The Motor Vehicle Permit requirement has been waived for these volunteer stewardship workdays, but purchasing an MVP will help support our state parks and recreation areas.

Want to get more involved?

The Core Volunteer Steward Program provides volunteers with additional ways to get involved and make a unique commitment, both individually and as part of a team.

Questions?

Please contact Laurel Malvitz, Resource Steward for the Stewardship Unit, at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov  with any questions. 

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