The schedule of volunteer stewardship workdays to be held throughout June in southeastern Michigan state parks and recreation areas was announced by the Department of Natural Resources today.

Volunteers are needed to help hand pull garlic mustard, an invasive non-native plant, and plant native prairie plants at Waterloo, Pinckney and Highland Recreation Areas. These activities will help protect and restore the unique natural areas in these southeastern Michigan state parks. This is important work and it takes many hands. Volunteering for these workdays is a great way to "GO-Get Outdoors," enjoy the summer and give back to your state parks.

Dates, locations and times of the workdays are as follows:

• Saturday, June 6, Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw Co.), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, June 7, Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw Co.),
  1 to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 13, Highland Recreation Area (Oakland Co.),
  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturday, June 13, Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston Co.), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, June 14, Algonac State Park (St. Clair Co.), 1 to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 20, Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston Co.),
  10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27, Highland Recreation Area (Oakland Co.),
  10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, June 28, Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston Co.),
  1 to 4 p.m.

Volunteers should dress appropriately for outdoor work, including long pants, boots, gloves, sunscreen and drinking water, and plan for inclement weather.

For information about the specific tasks at each location, to volunteer or obtain directions, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers and link to the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays. All volunteers are asked to register using the form that is available on the Web site. Any questions should be directed to Laurel Malvitz-Draper at (248) 359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov.