Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays

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 workdays click here.

June 2013

Saturday, June 22, 2013
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.

Saturday, June 22, 2013
Warren Dunes State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Let's get a great group together for our final garlic mustard workday at Warren Dunes! Meet at the picnic area on the west side of the road as you travel towards the main campground. The work site is just a short walk from this day use area. Please be sure to arrive on time! Don't forget to bring along your bathing suite, hiking shoes, volleyball or anything else so when the work is done you can enjoy all that Warren Dunes has to offer!

Sunday, June 23, 2013
Brighton Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 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 23, 2013
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Volunteers will join in for our final garlic mustard pull of the season at Hoffmaster! We've had a productive season and are getting closer to declaring this park garlic mustard free! Enjoy a short one-mile hike to the work site through beautiful forest! This is our last chance to get garlic mustard this season so don't miss out! Meet at the Gillette Visitor Center. Please arrive on time as we will be hiking to the work location.

Saturday, June 29, 2013
Island Lake Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to 12 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.

Saturday, June 29, 2013
Yankee Springs Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join in the fun to protect rare plant and animal habitat in one of the park fens! Volunteers will enjoy a beautiful morning along Deep Lake while working to remove unwanted invasive shrubs like honeysuckle and autumn olive from this unique wetland. No experience is necessary and all equipment is provided. Meet at the mountain bike staging area at the entrance to the Deep Lake Campground.

Sunday, June 30, 2013
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.

Sunday, June 30, 2013
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help please! Hand pull spotted knapweed, an invasive weed that could take over in this neat prairie remnant that is a primary native seed-gathering location for restoring our prairies. Let's pull spotted knapweed now so we don't have to worry about it getting mixed in with the native seeds we gather in the fall and we can protect this area from further infestation. If you have your own dandelion-digging tool, please bring it. Volunteer steward, Danny M. will be leading this workday; contact him with day-of questions at 734-645-5687. Meet on Waterloo Road just west of M-52. Roadside parking.

Sunday, June 30, 2013
Muskegon State Park, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Help us remove this landscape plant gone bad! Japanese barberry is commonly planted as a landscape ornamental, but has escaped and is spreading in our forests and dunes! Join in the effort to stop the spread. No experience is necessary! We will be removing scattered plants that are spreading along Scenic Drive. Meet at the south Blockhouse parking area on Scenic Drive.

July 2013

Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us as we try to eradicate a few patches of swallow-wort. This is a relatively new invasive that we're starting to find more and more in the parks. Come learn how to identify and control it and nip these patches in the bud before it disperses its seed. Meet at the Discovery Center's upper parking lot on Bush Road. Swallow-wort is part of our Early Detection, Rapid Response Initiative and there are additional opportunities to help survey and map this plant in many of our state parks.

Thursday, July 11, 2013
Highland Recreation Area, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Join us for an Early Detection, Rapid Response workday! You will learn how to identify swallow-wort, part of our Early Detection, Rapid Response Initiative, as well as how to control swallow-wort. We will remove seed pods and foliar spray the stalks and leaves left behind. Meet at the parking lot by the Edsel Ford barn. Enter the park from M-59, and head south past the headquarters about halfway into the park. The parking lot will be on your right.

Saturday, July 13, 2013
Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to noon
Help remove invasive shrubs that threaten to take over this unique fen wetland. One such shrub is glossy buckthorn and we need to keep it from moving farther into the fen! We will cut glossy buckthorn from target areas around the Graham Lakes. 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. Rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too.

Saturday, July 13, 2013
Island Lake Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help hand pull spotted knapweed, an invasive weed that has started taking 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. Volunteer stewards, Nancy B. and Toni S. will be leading this workday; contact Nancy with day-of questions at 248-207-0713. Meet at the Dodge picnic area (approx. 15 minutes from the park entrance on Kensington Road).

Saturday, July 13, 2013
Muskegon State Park , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Campers and volunteers are welcome to join in to remove spotted knapweed to prevent it from invading our dunes! We'll have gloves to lend but you are welcome to bring your own favorite pair. Please also wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin. We'll be working in the open sun so please also plan to bring a hat and plenty of water. Meet at the day use area parking just west of Channel campground (south end of the park).

Saturday, July 13, 2013
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join volunteer steward, Danny M., to hand pull spotted knapweed. This invasive weed crowds out native plants in prairies and disrupts the balance of these native ecosystems. We need your help to remove this plant and it's easy to pull. Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant. Contact Danny with any day-of questions at 734-645-5687. Meet on Waterloo Road just west of M-52. Roadside parking.

Sunday, July 14, 2013
Grand Mere State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Enjoy a beautiful summer day at this nice reclaimed site! Volunteers will hand pull spotted knapweed and sweet clover from the open areas allowing native flora to grow and thrive! Please wear long sleeves and long pants as some may be sensitive to vegetation. We'll be working in the open sun so please also plan to bring a hat and plenty of water. Meet at the end of Willow Rd. From the main park entrance continue south on Thornton Dr. Turn right on Willow.

Sunday, July 14, 2013
Pinckney Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help us remove invasive plants like spotted knapweed, Japanese hedge parsley, mullein and hoary alyssum from special dry sand prairies and their adjacent oak savannas. Help us pull these plants to maintain 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 on Hankerd Road. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the parking lot on the left.

Saturday, July 20, 2013
Fort Custer Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Take a hike along the mountain bike trails to the beautiful peninsula surrounded by Eagle Lake! We'll be removing invasive shrubs, like buckthorn and honeysuckle, from this serene location while enjoying views of the surrounding lake. Meet at the mountain bike trailhead, which is off the road to Eagle Lake (if you've reached the lake, you've gone too far). Please arrive on time as we will enjoy a short hike to the work location.

Saturday, July 20, 2013
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 and give the neat wildflowers more room to grow. Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant. Meet at the Dodge picnic area (approx. 15 minutes from the park entrance on Kensington).

Sunday, July 21, 2013
Brighton Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help! Spotted knapweed and other weeds are growing in this neat prairie. Join us to remove these invasive non-native plants and restore balance to this ecosystem. Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant. Meet at the entrance on Teahen Road where there are two pull-off parking spots; look for a state truck parked nearby. Roadside parking.

Sunday, July 21, 2013
Yankee Springs Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers can enjoy a beautiful walk along the North Country Trail and a nice morning in the prairie! We'll work together to help protect this unique upland prairie by pulling spotted knapweed. Meet at the North Country Trail parking area off of Yankee Springs Rd. Please arrive on time as we'll enjoy a short hike to the work location.

Saturday, July 27, 2013
Warren Woods State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spend a day in the woods helping to protect native habitat! This beautiful example of beech-maple forest has some unwelcome visitors and we need your help to remove them. Volunteers will learn to identify Japanese barberry, privet and other invasive shrubs. Please wear long sleeves, pants and sturdy shoes to walk in the woods off of the trail. Meet at the main entrance off of Elm Valley Rd.

Sunday, July 28, 2013
Waterloo Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Join volunteer steward, Danny M. to hand pull spotted knapweed. Help keep this invasive weed from taking over a nice prairie remnant and displacing native plants. We need your help to remove this plant before it goes to seed and it's easy to pull. Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant. Contact Danny with any day-of questions at 734-645-5687. Meet on Waterloo Road just west of M-52. Roadside parking.

Sunday, July 28, 2013
Muskegon State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join in to help remove spotted knapweed! This invasive pest grows in open sun and sandy soils and has its sights set on our dunes! You can help protect the dunes by preventing the spread of spotted knapweed. We'll have gloves to lend but you are welcome to bring your own favorite pair. Please also wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin. We'll be working in the open sun so please also plan to bring a hat and plenty of water. Meet at the day use area parking just west of Channel campground (south end of the park).

August 2013

Saturday, August 3, 2013
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, August 3, 2013
Warren Dunes State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help us remove unwanted invasive shrubs from Warren Dunes that threaten to impact our precious dune system! We'll be removing Japanese barberry, privet and other shrubby invaders to make way for our native species of shrubs. Meet at the picnic area on the west side of the road as you travel towards the main campground (if you travel to the main campground you've gone too far). Please arrive on time as we'll take a nice walk to the work location.

Sunday, August 4, 2013
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 globally rare ecosystems. 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, August 4, 2013
Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Let's keep invasive shrubs out of our beautiful dunes by removing honeysuckle and other unwanted plants from the forest! Volunteers will learn to identify these unwanted shrubs and will join in the effort to restore our native forest type by cutting and removing them. Please meet on time at the main entrance to the park at the end of 138th Avenue.

Saturday, August 10, 2013
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 and pile these invasive shrubs. 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. Rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too.

Saturday, August 10, 2013
Fort Custer Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteer stewards are making a big difference at this beautiful location! You can join in by helping us remove buckthorn from the peninsula overlooking Eagle Lake. No experience is necessary! We'll enjoy a short hike along the mountain bike trails to access the site. Meet at the mountain bike trailhead, which is off the road to Eagle Lake (if you've reached the lake, you've gone too far). Please arrive on time!

Sunday, August 11, 2013
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join volunteer steward Alison S. at this beautiful lakeside park! Volunteers will work to remove spotted knapweed from the beach parking area to prevent it from expanding into the forested and open dunes. We'll have gloves to lend but you are welcome to bring your own favorite pair. Please also wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin. We'll be working in the open sun so please also plan to bring a hat and plenty of water. Meet at the beach parking area.

Sunday, August 11, 2013
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We need your help hand pulling spotted knapweed, an invasive weed that could take over in this neat prairie remnant. Removing this plant will improve habitat for native species and give the native wildflowers more room to grow. Please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant. Meet on Waterloo Road just west of M-52.

Saturday, August 17, 2013
Ionia State Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Take a walk through a beautiful example of a beech-maple forest and help protect this unique forest type! Volunteer Stewards will join in to help cut invasive shrubs like honeysuckle and autumn olive before they have a negative impact on this very unique forest. No experience necessary, just a desire to enjoy a beautiful day in the park! Meet at the trailhead and parking area off of Riverside Drive, just east of Jackson Rd. on the north side of the park.

Saturday, August 17, 2013
Pinckney Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hankerd dry sand prairie and oak barrens is a neat place that needs ongoing removal of invasive plants to keep it in good condition! Meet at the Halfmoon Lake parking lot to help out. We may be pulling spotted knapweed, so please wear long pants and long sleeves as some individuals are sensitive to this plant. We also may cut and pile evergreens or foliar herbicide small autumn olive shrub resprouts. So, come for a smorgasbord of invasive plant control to maintain room for all of the neat native plants! From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the entrance on the left.

Sunday, August 18, 2013
Highland Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Want to help remove invasive shrubs from a really high quality natural area? Then join us! We'll try to cover as much ground as possible and do some follow-up treatment in areas we have worked before. Follow-up shrub control is critical to staying ahead of invasives and this gorgeous woodland provides a scenic place to work. Meet at the Goose Meadow Picnic area parking a few minutes south of the park entrance on M-59.

Sunday, August 18, 2013
Muskegon State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Let's continue our efforts to oust barberry! Volunteer Stewards will work to take out this common landscape plant gone bad! Barberry is easy to identify and remove. Meet at the organizational campground off of Scenic Drive.

Saturday, August 24, 2013
Island Lake Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help keep our Meadow Unit prairie remnants and adjacent oak woodlands beautiful and full of native plants. Join us as we cut and herbicide and then pile invasive shrubs like autumn olive and honeysuckle. Meet at the Meadow Picnic Area parking lot. Please arrive on time or early as we may caravan to a different site.

Saturday, August 24, 2013
Warren Woods State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This small but beautiful woodlot is being threatened by invasive non-native shrubs. You can help by removing invasive burning bush, Japanese barberry and multiflora rose. We'll need to go off trail to seek out these unwanted plants so please dress accordingly. Meet at the main parking area off of Elm Valley Rd.

Sunday, August 25, 2013
Yankee Springs Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Invasive shrub work to protect habitats near Deep Lake continues; don't miss out on this opportunity to help protect this beautiful wetland! Volunteers are needed to help us cut and remove unwanted shrubs, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. No experience is necessary and volunteers will be trained to identify unwanted invaders. Meet at the Deep Lake boat access site in the Deep Lake campground. Enter the campground off of Yankee Springs Rd. Turn right towards the organization campground. The access road will be on the left.

September 2013

Saturday, September 7, 2013
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. Rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too.

Volunteer Thank-you Event and Refreshments, Bald Mountain Recreation Area!!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: East Graham boat launch parking lot

Saturday, September 7, 2013
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It's a beautiful time to enjoy our parks! Come help us protect our precious dunes and forest systems by taking out harmful invasive species! These unwanted plants can alter habitat for native birds and other species. Volunteers will be trained to identify and remove these unwanted plants to help protect our native forests. Join in by meeting at the campground entrance off of Lake Harbor Rd.

Sunday, September 8, 2013
Brighton Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help! Glossy buckthorn and other invasive shrubs are growing in this prairie. We need you to help us remove them. Controlling these plants may include foliar spraying herbicide so please wear long pants and long sleeves. Meet at the entrance on Teahen Road where there are two pull-off parking spots; look for a state truck parked nearby. Roadside parking.

Volunteer Thank-you Event and Refreshments, Brighton Recreation Area!!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Teahen Road parking area

Sunday, September 8, 2013
Muskegon State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Let's stop barberry from spreading throughout the dunes and wooded areas of this beautiful, lakeside park! Barberry has been introduced to the park and is slowly threatening our native landscapes! Meet at the Organizational campground off of Scenic Drive.

Saturday, September 14, 2013
Ionia State Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What a better way to wind down on a busy summer season than enjoying a hike along Sessions Lake and the satisfaction of helping to protect habitat! Volunteers will join in the effort to help remove invasive shrubs, like honeysuckle and autumn olive, that threaten this nice forest remnant. Meet at the peninsula picnic area, past the mountain bike trailhead and before the campground. Please arrive on time as we will enjoy an easy hike to the work site.

Saturday, September 14, 2013
Island Lake Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help keep oak savannas and prairies in the park beautiful and full of native grasses and wildflowers. Join us as we search and destroy (cut and herbicide) and then pile invasive shrubs like autumn olive and honeysuckle from prairies and woodlands. Meet at the Meadow Picnic Area parking lot.

Volunteer Thank-you Event and Refreshments, Island Lake Recreation Area!!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Meadow Picnic Area parking lot

Sunday, September 15, 2013
Fort Custer Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help us cut and remove invasive shrubs, like buckthorn and honeysuckle, from this beautiful forest overlooking Eagle Lake! Volunteers will be provided with tools and instruction, no experience necessary! We'll enjoy a short hike along the mountain bike trails to access the site. Meet at the mountain bike trailhead, which is off the road to Eagle Lake (if you've reached the lake, you've gone too far). Please arrive on time!

Sunday, September 15, 2013
Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We will remove invasive shrubs, especially glossy buckthorn, to restore this fen wetland. Join us for the fun! Our shrub cutting efforts will give the native, sun-loving prairie plants more room to grow and keep glossy buckthorn from invading. We'll be covering as much ground as possible and following up on areas we have not worked in for a few years. Follow-up shrub control is critical to staying ahead of invasives and this gorgeous wetland provides a scenic place to work. Meet at the small parking lot on the southeast corner of Mt. Hope and Glenn Roads. ***Waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, are recommended for this site, but not necessary. Rubber boots are available to borrow, upon request. Old boots that you don't mind getting muddy will work too.

Volunteer Thank-you Event and Refreshments, Waterloo Recreation Area!!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Parking area on the southeast corner of Glenn and Mt. Hope Roads

Saturday, September 21, 2013
Highland Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The special woodlands in Haven Hill Natural Area need your help! Please join us at this workday. Help us remove shrubs that are encroaching on these important ecosystems and crowding out native species. We'll be covering as much ground as possible in this scenic and diverse woodland. Meet at the Goose Meadow Picnic area parking lot a few minutes south of the park entrance on M-59.

Volunteer Thank-you Event and Refreshments, Highland Recreation Area!!
Saturday, September 21, 2013
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Goose Meadow Picnic Area parking lot

Sunday, September 22, 2013
Pinckney Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hankerd dry sand prairie and oak barrens needs your help! Help us remove invasive plants to maintain room for all of the neat native plants! We will likely be cutting and piling shrubs and small trees or applying herbicide to small autumn olive shrub resprouts. Meet at the Halfmoon Lake parking lot. From North Territorial Road, take Hankerd Road north until you see the entrance on the left.

Volunteer Thank-you Event and Refreshments, Pinckney Recreation Areas!!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Halfmoon Lake parking lot

Sunday, September 22, 2013
Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hit the beach and help protect habitat in the dunes! Volunteer stewards will enjoy a nice hike to the shoreline where we will remove invasive black locust to prevent it from spreading further along the beach! No experience is necessary and all volunteers will learn how to identify black locust. Please meet on time at the main entrance to the park at the end of 138th Avenue.

Saturday, September 28, 2013
Sterling State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Celebrate National Public Lands Day with us! We hope to be planting native grasses and wildflowers to restore lakeplain prairie. If not, we may collect native prairie seed or remove invasive shrubs. Either way, meet at the park headquarters at 2800 State Park Road, Monroe, MI 48162.

Volunteer Thank-you Event and Refreshments, Sterling State Park!!
Saturday, September 28, 2013
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Park Headquarters parking lot

Saturday, September 28, 2013
Yankee Springs Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Enjoy your time outdoors and the satisfaction of helping protect our resources by volunteering near Deep Lake! Volunteers will meet at the mountain bike trailhead and work to remove honeysuckle, autumn olive and other invasive shrubs from the forest near the campground. It's a great way to add an outdoor learning opportunity to your recreation experience at the park! Meet at the mountain bike staging area off of Yankee Springs Rd.

Sunday, September 29, 2013
Algonac State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Want to enjoy a day of restoring high-quality lakeplain prairies? Then join us as we do one of the following: collect native prairie seed, plant native plugs, or remove invasive plants. Meet in the day-use area parking lot near the main park entrance and the picnic shelter.

Volunteer Thank-you Event and Refreshments, Algonac State Park!!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Day-use parking lot (near the picnic shelter)

Sunday, September 29, 2013
Warren Dunes State Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Your help is needed to remove Japanese barberry and multiflora rose from the beach trail. This is a great opportunity to help protect the park while enjoying a day in the park! Meet at the picnic area south of the campground. Follow the drive towards the campground, turn left at the picnic area. We'll also enjoy a nice hike along the trail and dunes so please arrive on time!

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.gov for southeast Michigan parks or Heidi Frei, freih@michigan.gov for 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 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.gov with 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.gov with any questions about volunteering in southwest Michigan parks.

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