Join us for fun activities year-round!
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.

See what volunteer workdays look like on our Picasa web page.

Volunteer workdays are sponsored by the State Park Stewardship Unit to help protect and restore natural areas at seventeen parks in our state park system, across southern Michigan.  We focus on natural areas that are known or potential sites for species of greatest conservation need.

Ongoing workdays are held
in Southeast Michigan at:
Algonac State Park, Bald Mountain Recreation Area, Brighton Recreation Area, Highland Recreation Area, Island Lake Recreation Area, Pinckney Recreation Area, Sterling State Park, and Waterloo Recreation Area.

in Southwest Michigan at:
Fort Custer Recreation Area, Grand Mere State Park, P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Ionia Recreation Area, Muskegon State Park, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Warren Dunes State Park, Warren Woods State Park, and Yankee Springs Recreation Area.

To register for all workdays click here.

February 2012

Saturday, February 18, 2012
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.

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Brighton Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Help! Glossy buckthorn and other invasive shrubs are moving into this beautiful wet meadow. This workday will be our last chance to keep glossy buckthorn from producing more seeds during the coming growing season. We plan to spend the March and summer shrub removal days at a different site so we really need your help! Meet at the entrance to Murray Lake Campground on Bauer Road, between Cunningham Lake and Bishop Lake Roads. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served.

Saturday, February 18, 2012
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers will be helping to remove invasive non-native plants that threaten these beautiful dunes and the beech/maple forest habitat. Don't forget your hiking boots to enjoy the park after the workday! Meet at the Campground Entrance off of Little Harbor Rd.

Sunday, February 19, 2012
Pinckney Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Thickets of shrubs don't belong in these mesic and wet mesic prairies. Help remove them and make room for some neat, native plants. Meet at the South Lake boat launch parking lot on Joslin Lake Road. From North Territorial Road, take Joslin Lake Road north until you see the boating access site on your left. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served.

Sunday, February 19, 2012
Yankee Springs Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join in and see the progress we're making in this upland pine and oak system! Your help is needed to remove autumn olive, honeysuckle and other invasive woody shrubs and trees like Ailanthus (tree of heaven). Meet at the Scenic Pines parking area on the south side of Gun Lake Rd. just west of the intersection of Norris Rd. (Yankee Springs Rd.) and Gun Lake.

Saturday, February 25, 2012
Warren Dunes State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers are invited to help remove non-native, invasive shrubs that threaten the park! Help protect the dunes and forest habitat by removing shrubs like honeysuckle while also limiting their spread. Meet at the day use area off of the park entrance road.

Saturday, February 25, 2012
Waterloo Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
You will see a lot of change in just 3 hours of buckthorn removal at this workday! We will be cutting, hauling and stacking this invasive shrub that is starting to move into a neat fen. Our efforts will stop a bunch of large buckthorn from setting seed in the coming year. Meet on Waterloo Road just west of M-52. Roadside parking. If ample snow and minimal plowing make roadside parking impossible, meet instead at the parking area on the north side of Waterloo Road just east of M-52. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served.

Sunday, February 26, 2012
Highland Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This special wet meadow and fen near Teeple Lake need your help! Help us remove shrubs, like glossy buckthorn, that are encroaching on these vulnerable ecosystems and crowding out native prairie species. Meet at the sheep barn parking lot, about 5 minutes south of the park entrance on M-59. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served.

Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Lend a hand during National Invasive Species Week! Invasive species are a major threat to habitat and biodiversity of our native landscapes. Fortunately, you can help as we remove black locust from the park entrance. Don't forget your hiking boots or snow shoes to enjoy the park after the workday! Meet at the main day use area parking lot near the end of 138th Ave.

March 2012

Saturday, March 3, 2012
Grand Mere State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
More volunteer opportunities throughout National Invasive Species Week! Join us as we work to remove invasive trees, such as Ailanthus and Lombardy poplar, from the trails at Grand Mere. Meet at main entrance parking area, just off of Thornton Rd. Don't forget your hiking boots to explore the trails afterwards. We will need to hike a short distance along the scenic trail to the work location as well.

Saturday, March 3, 2012
Island Lake Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Assist us in clearing out invasive shrubs that could take over this savanna and crowd out native grasses and wildflowers. Meet at the Riverbend Picnic Area park lot.

Sunday, March 4, 2012
Algonac State Park, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Help us keep special lakeplain prairie and oak opening remnants open and free of shrubs and small trees. If left to reproduce, these plants could take over this unique area and crowd out a lot of neat flora and fauna. Join us to be part of this great accomplishment and enjoy a short winter hike to the work site! Meet at the small parking lot on the east side of Marsh Road, just south of Swartout Road (on the park's west side). From the park headquarters on M-29, drive north, turn left onto Roberts Road, then turn left when Roberts Road dead ends at Marsh Road.

Sunday, March 4, 2012
Fort Custer Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join in to help clear the barrens of invasive shrubs! Volunteer Stewards will continue to remove honeysuckle, black locust and other unwanted invaders that choke out native forbs and wildflowers from the prairie system. Meet at Park Headquarters and we'll caravan to the site. Please arrive on time as this site cannot be accessed off of the main park drive.

Saturday, March 10, 2012
Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon
Glossy buckthorn and other invasive, non-native shrubs, continue to slowly move into the Graham Lake Fen area. Let's stop them in their tracks and protect this rare type of wetland. 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. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served.

Saturday, March 10, 2012
Muskegon State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Though it is often planted as a landscape ornamental, Japanese barberry has invaded and spread through the hiking trails and habitats of this park. Help remove these small pockets of barberry from the park to protect our dunes and preserve their ecological integrity! Volunteers will meet at the organizational campground along Scenic Drive. If entering from North Entrance, continue along Scenic Drive past the blockhouse to the work site on the left. If entering from the South Entrance continue down Memorial Drive and turn right on Scenic Drive, the organizational campground will be on your right.

Sunday, March 11, 2012
Ionia Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Situated along the beautiful Grand River, this recreation area offers beautiful landscapes and remnant beech maple forest. Join in as we work towards removing autumn olive from the landscape. Meet at Bike Trailhead off of the main park road. Enter the park from Jordan Lake Rd. Continue past the Headquarters road and past the XC ski area to the Bike Trailhead.

Saturday, March 17, 2012
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We will remove glossy and common buckthorn from this fen to stop their spread! Our invasive shrub removal efforts will also give the native plants more space to grow and thrive. Meet on Waterloo Road just west of M-52. Roadside parking. If ample snow and minimal plowing make roadside parking impossible, meet instead at the parking area on the north side of Waterloo Road just east of M-52. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served.

Saturday, March 17, 2012
Yankee Springs Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help us as we work towards eradicating autumn olive from the Scenic Pines area! We're making steady progress to meeting this goal - here's your chance to join in this accomplishment! If allowed to reproduce, this species will continue to invade and limit native oaks and other species. Meet at the parking area on the south side of Gun Lake Rd. just west of the intersection of Norris Rd. (Yankee Springs Rd.) and Gun Lake.

Sunday, March 18, 2012
Highland Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us in saving this wet meadow that is a vulnerable ecosystem in Michigan. We will continue to cut shrubs and small trees, especially invasive glossy buckthorn, from the grassland edges of Teeple Lake to allow the native flora and fauna to thrive. Please join us at this workday! Meet at the sheep barn parking lot, about 5 minutes south of the park entrance on M-59. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served.

Sunday, March 18, 2012
Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join in to help protect this critical dune system! Honeysuckle, barberry and other invasive shrubs are encroaching upon the dune and native forest system. By removing this population while it's small, we'll be doing a huge service protecting the whole dune! Don't forget your hiking boots to enjoy the park after the workday! Meet at the main day use area parking lot near the end of 138th Ave.

Saturday, March 24, 2012
Highland Recreation Area, Barn Course Field Trial Area, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join ongoing efforts to restore this area to open grassland. Volunteers will be hauling and piling brush and stacking fire wood. Meet at the Barn Field Trial Area parking lot on the north side of Cooley Lake Road between Duck Lake and Beaumont Roads.

Saturday, March 24, 2012
Brighton Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Stop invasive shrubs from invading this wonderful prairie fen. In particular we will be looking to cut glossy buckthorn from the neat wetland edge of Murray Lake. Meet at the entrance to Murray Lake Campground on Bauer Road, between Cunningham Lake and Bishop Lake Roads. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served.

Saturday, March 24, 2012
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers will be helping to remove invasive non-native plants that threaten these beautiful dunes and the beech/maple forest habitat. We'll work around the trails near the park campground. Don't forget your hiking boots to enjoy the park after the workday! Meet at the Campground Entrance off of Little Harbor Rd.

Sunday, March 25, 2012
Pinckney Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Help restore high quality natural areas north of South Lake! By removing patches of shrubs we will reconnect mesic and wet mesic prairie remnants, make room for neat, native plants and provide more habitat from rare species. Meet at the South Lake boat launch parking lot on Joslin Lake Road. From North Territorial Road, take Joslin Lake Road north until you see the boating access site on your left. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served.

Sunday, March 25, 2012
Warren Dunes State Park, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Let's work together to rid this popular park of Ailanthus, autumn olive, honeysuckle and other non-native invasive plants! Volunteers will work within the woodlots to protect the native forest from these exotic pests! Meet at the day use area off of the park entrance road.

Saturday, March 31, 2012
Island Lake Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If the ground has thawed, we will be pulling garlic mustard. Otherwise we will cut invasive shrubs. Meet at the Riverbend Picnic Area parking lot.

April 2012

Sunday, April 1, 2012
Highland Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us in removing garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) that threatens to take over the unique woodlands in Highland Recreation Area. 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 have a decent hike to our work location.

Saturday, April 7, 2012
Brighton Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Remove garlic mustard and, in the process, restore woodland wildflower populations. Meet at the entrance on Teahen Road where there are two pull-off parking spots; look for a blue and white state truck parked nearby. Roadside parking.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Highland Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Nancy R., volunteer steward, needs your help pulling garlic mustard in high quality woodlands at Highland Recreation Area. She can't think of a better way to spend the day than being outside reclaiming the woods from garlic mustard - a nasty, non-native invader. Join her! For day-of questions please call Nancy at 248-202-6885. 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 you may caravan to another location.

Saturday, April 14, 2012
Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon
Join ongoing efforts to protect Bald Mountain Recreation Area from garlic mustard invasion by hand pulling and removing it. Early detection of this invasive plant and rapid response in pulling any small infestations will keep garlic mustard at bay in the park. Meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit. Please arrive early as we may caravan to a different site.

Sunday, April 15, 2012
Algonac State Park, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Help us remove garlic mustard from the trails and wooded areas and keep hundreds of its seeds out of the seed bank. Meet in the day use area near the main park entrance on M-29.

**** April 20 - 22, 2012 is Global Youth Service Day! Join us at one of the following workdays to celebrate Earth Day and getting youth involved in our community. Each child will receive a fun give-away! ****

Saturday, April 21, 2012
Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon
Join us for an extra work session lead by volunteer steward Bob Conger. We will focus pulling garlic mustard in areas where we've found it in past years. Meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit. We may caravan to another location, so please arrive on time. Bob's cell is 248-515-5163.

Saturday, April 21, 2012
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us in pulling invasive garlic mustard to keep it from invading a beautiful woodland. Bring your children and help us celebrate Global Youth Service Day and Earth Day! Meet at the park headquarters at 16345 McClure Road in Chelsea.

Sunday, April 22, 2012
Pinckney Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help us remove non-native garlic mustard from the woodlands near Hankerd Road. Bring your children and help us celebrate Global Youth Service Day and Earth Day! Meet us at the Halfmoon Lake parking lot off Hankerd Road. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the parking lot on the left.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Enjoy an easy opportunity to give a little back to nature. A miserable, stinky, invasive weed - garlic mustard - is infiltrating high quality natural areas in Waterloo Recreation Area. Happily, it is very easy and satisfying to pull...like cleaning a really dirty house you can quickly see where you've been and what you've accomplished. Bonus: it's a lot less work than housecleaning and it's outdoors to boot! This workday will be led by volunteer steward Charity Steere. Contact her at 517-522-5010 or 517-462-6999. Meet at the park headquarters at 16345 McClure Road in Chelsea.

Saturday, April 28, 2012
Sterling State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help pull garlic mustard, an invasive, non-native plant, from areas of the park! Meet at the park headquarters at 2800 State Park Road, Monroe, MI 48162. Please arrive early so we can caravan to the work location.

Sunday, April 29, 2012
Highland Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Want to help protect woodlands at Highland Recreation Area? Help us remove garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) before it takes over these unique woods. 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 have a nice hike to get to the work location.

May 2012

Saturday, May 5, 2012
Island Lake Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help combat the spread of garlic mustard by pulling these weedy plants. Meet at the Riverbend Picnic Area parking lot.

Sunday, May 6, 2012
Algonac State Park, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Want to enjoy a day in the woods? Help us remove garlic mustard from the trails and wooded areas in this amazing state park and keep hundreds of its seeds out of the seed bank. Meet in the day use area near the main park entrance on M-29.

Sunday, May 6, 2012
Highland Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Steve P., volunteer steward, in pulling non-native, invasive garlic mustard from neat woodlands at Highland Recreation Area. See first-hand how this plant starts taking over in woodlands if we don't do anything to stop it! 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 may caravan to a different location. For day-of questions please call Steve at 248-877-4386.

Saturday, May 12, 2012
Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon
Join our efforts to keep Bald Mountain Recreation Area's nice woodlands from being taken over by garlic mustard - a non-native invasive plant. We will pull it out by the roots - easy and satisfying work - and remove it from the site. Meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit. We may caravan to another location, so please arrive on time.

Saturday, May 12, 2012
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We'll continue our efforts to rid lovely natural areas of invasive garlic mustard. It's easy to pull and fun for the whole family. Join volunteer steward Kathy C. for a few hours of pulling and bagging garlic mustard. You'll be preserving a gem of a woodland in the process. While looking for garlic mustard, you may find some native wildflowers in bloom or even some wild morels! Meet at the park headquarters at 16345 McClure Road in Chelsea. For day-of questions please call Kathy at 734-678-7276.

Saturday, May 19, 2012
Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon
Join us for an extra work session lead by volunteer steward Bob Conger. We will continue to pull garlic mustard in high priority areas of Bald Mountain's North Unit. Based on our known garlic mustard infestations in the park, we will pull the outlying areas and work back towards larger core patches. We also want to scope out some areas where we've found small patches of garlic mustard in the past to make sure they are taken care of. Meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit. We may drive to another location to work, so please arrive on time. Bob's cell is 248-515-5163.

Saturday, May 19, 2012
Island Lake Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join Nancy B., a stewardship volunteer, for a morning of fresh air, exercise, and camaraderie. We will be pulling the invasive plant garlic mustard. All hands are welcome! Call Nancy at 248-207-0713 on the work day if the weather is threatening. Meet at the Riverbend Picnic Area parking lot.

Saturday, May 19, 2012
Sterling State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We will restore lakeplain prairie by planting native grasses and wildflowers at this workday. 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 Laurel for more information (contact information below calendar).

Sunday, May 20, 2012
Pinckney Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Help us remove invasive garlic mustard from the woodlands adjacent to special dry sand prairies. Help us eradicate this plant to make room for neat native wildflowers. Meet at the Halfmoon Lake parking lot off Hankerd Road. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the parking lot on the left.

June 2012

Saturday, June 2, 2012
Highland Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join Steve P., volunteer steward, in pulling non-native, invasive garlic mustard from neat woodlands at Highland Recreation Area. Come and see first-hand how this plant starts taking over in woodlands if we don't do anything to stop it! 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 may caravan to a different location. For day-of questions please call Steve at 248-877-4386.

Saturday, June 2, 2012
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We need your help to keep thousands of garlic mustard seeds out of the seed bank! Join us to 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 caravan to a different site.

Sunday, June 3, 2012
Pinckney Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us for our last chance to remove non-native garlic mustard from the woodlands near Hankerd Road before they set seed. Meet us at the Halfmoon Lake parking lot off Hankerd Road. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the parking lot on the left.

Saturday, June 9, 2012
Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon
Let's search for small patches of garlic mustard around the park with volunteer steward Bob Conger. This early detection (finding) and rapid response (pulling) effort will help keep garlic mustard at bay in the park. Meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit. Please arrive on time as we may split up into different groups to "divide and conquer" and travel to other areas of the park. Bob's cell is 248-515-5163.

Saturday, June 9, 2012
Island Lake Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help us make a push to get as much of the garlic mustard pulled before it goes to seed. We need lots of hands to pull these weedy, invasive plants. Meet at the Riverbend Picnic Area parking lot.

Sunday, June 10, 2012
Algonac State Park, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us for this last day of removing invasive, non-native garlic mustard from the trails and wooded areas. We really need your help to pull the remaining plants before they release hundreds of their seeds. Meet in the day use area near the main park entrance on M-29.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Enjoy an easy opportunity to give a little back to nature. A miserable, stinky, invasive weed - garlic mustard - is infiltrating high quality natural areas in the Waterloo Recreation Area. Happily, it is very easy and satisfying to pull...like cleaning a really dirty house you can quickly see where you've been and what you've accomplished. Bonus: it's a lot less work than housecleaning and it's outdoors to boot! This workday will be led by volunteer steward Charity Steere. Contact her at 517-522-5010 or 517-462-6999. Meet at the park headquarters at 16345 McClure Road in Chelsea. Please arrive on time, as you may caravan to a different site.

Saturday, June 16, 2012
Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon
Join us for this last garlic mustard pulling workday of the season lead by volunteer steward Bob Conger. We will continue to pull garlic mustard in the higher quality and higher priority areas of the park based on our previous mappings. Meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit. Please arrive on time so we may travel to different sites. Bob's cell is 248-515-5163.

Saturday, June 16, 2012
Brighton Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Like to kill weeds? Help restore woodlands by removing garlic mustard and help restore prairies by removing sweet clover and spotted knapweed that could otherwise take over. Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to spotted knapweed. Meet at the Teahen prairie entrance (look for a blue and white state truck where Teahen Road makes a 90 degree turn). Roadside parking.

Saturday, June 23, 2012
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 another parking area to get closer to our target garlic mustard infestation.

Sunday, June 24, 2012
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. We spent all winter removing glossy buckthorn here, but identifying the buckthorn should be easier this time of year with leaves! We'll continue our efforts and see a lot of neat plants in bloom in the vicinity. Meet at the entrance to Murray Lake Campground on Bauer Road, between Cunningham Lake and Bishop Lake Roads. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site. Knee-high rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Availability is limited; first come, first served. Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too.

Sunday, June 24, 2012
Pinckney Recreation Area, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Help volunteer steward, Sally R., remove invasive garlic mustard, spotted knapweed, Japanese hedge parsley, and hoary allysum from special dry sand prairies and their adjacent savannas. Help us pull these plants to make room for neat native wildflowers. Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to spotted knapweed. Pulling knapweed requires wearing gloves, so if you have a favorite pair of work gloves please bring them. Gloves will also be available to borrow. Meet at the Halfmoon Lake parking lot off Hankerd Road. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the parking lot on the left. For day-of questions call Sally at 734-730-2143.

Saturday, June 30, 2012
Island Lake Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help hand pull spotted knapweed, an invasive weed that could take over in this neat prairie remnant. Removing this plant will improve habitat for native species. Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant. Meet at the Dodge picnic area parking lot.

July 2012

Sunday, July 1, 2012
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 at the small parking lot on the east side of Marsh Road, just south of Swartout Road (on the park's west side). From the park headquarters on M-29, drive north, turn left onto Roberts Road, then turn left when Roberts Road dead ends at Marsh Road.

Workday Details

Registration
Please complete a volunteer registration form. Alternatively, contact Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.govto register for workdays in southeast Michigan or Heidi Frei at 269-685-6851 x147 or freih@michigan.govto register for workdays in southwest Michigan. Let them know the date and park of the workday(s) 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 canceled due to inclement weather or for any other reason, a voice mail message saying so will be posted at 248-359-9057 for southeast or at 269-685-6851 x147 for southwest Michigan at least two hours before the scheduled workday start time. If there is no cancellation message the workday will continue 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 a list of the parks that you are interested in to Laurel Malvitz-Draper, malvitzl@michigan.govfor southeast Michigan parks or Heidi Frei, freih@michigan.govfor southwest Michigan parks. Please choose from the parks listed at the top of this page.

Recreation Passport
Please support Michigan 's state parks and recreation areas by purchasing a Recreation Passport. For more information, please visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport

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-Draper, Resource Steward for the Stewardship Unit, at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.govwith any questions about volunteering in southeast Michigan parks.

Please contact Heidi Frei, Resource Steward for the Stewardship Unit, at 269-685-6851 x147 or freih@michigan.govwith any questions about volunteering in southwest Michigan parks.

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