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Get involved

Group of volunteers in field pulling invasive knapweed

Get involved

From volunteering to remove invasive species in our state parks to making monetary donations to being a campground host, there are many ways to get involved with the work that we do.

Host, guide, teach and more

campground host standing in campsite with two staff members; camper in the background

Volunteer host

Be a host at a campground, harbor or lighthouse! Stay for free in exchange for volunteer services such as answering questions, planning activities, giving tours and light maintenance duties.

Hunter safety instructor teaching female student about properly using firearm

Recreation safety instructor

Volunteer recreational safety instructors teach hunter education, snowmobile, boating and off-road vehicle safety courses. The DNR is always accepting applications for new volunteer recreational safety instructors.

looking through the window of a building at Fayette Historic State Park

Michigan History Center

Be a part of Michigan history! Volunteer at the History Center in Lansing as a museum docent, prepare records at the Archives, donate items to the museum or the Archives, join a friends group and more.

Restore and cleanup

volunteer stewards learning about invasive species on a trail

Volunteer stewardship

Help remove invasive plants in state parks across southern lower Michigan. Volunteers will learn plant identification, see rare ecosystems and connect with others while helping protect parks. View the volunteer calendar for workdays near you.

A team of volunteers cleans up trash and discarded tires from the forest

Adopt a Forest

We work to enhance public forest lands by eliminating illegal dumping and increasing awareness of responsible disposal options. Help keep the woods clean! Report a dumpsite, make a donation or volunteer to clean up the forest. 

A restored oak savanna, with an abundance of trees and wildflowers

Wildlife habitat improvement

Help improve wildlife habitat through MUCC's "On the Ground" program. Build brush piles, remove invasive plants, restore grassland habitat, install fish spawning structures, assist with river cleanup, plant mast-producing trees and more.

Wildlife observations and citizen science

Wildlife observations

Report sick or dead wildlife, report select animal sightings (such as wolf, moose, cougar, turtles, rattlesnake, more), report poaching and more.

Report invasive species

Learn how to identify and report invasive species including plants, animals, trees, fish and more.

Loon Rangers

Michigan LoonWatch is a family of volunteers concerned about the protection of common loons and their lakes. Volunteer Loon Rangers are responsible for watching and protecting loons. 

Community science

Collect data and observations to help researchers and natural resource managers learn more about wildlife, invasive species, water quality, the effects of climate change and more.

Make a donation

Lk Michigan sunset with waves crashing on shore and pier and lighthouse in background

Donate to parks, trails and waterways

Charitable gifts from friends and partners help support our parks, trails and waterways. Find information on the many ways to make a donation to Michigan's state park and recreation system.

Conserve wildlife habitat license plate featuring the Kirtlands Warbler

Wildlife habitat license plate

Support Michigan's wildlife by purchasing a wildlife habitat license plate. Fundraising plates cost $35 (additional registration and plate personalization fees apply); $25 goes to the designated special cause fund for each plate sold.

Sportsmen against hunger volunteers with crates full of ground venison.

Wild game donation program

The DNR wild game donation program is a perfect way for hunters to share a part of their harvest this fall, or donate a whole deer. In addition, anyone can make a monetary donation to support processing and packaging the venison.

Young lady shoots rifle at shooting range while DNR range officer assists

Donate to shooting ranges

Support public facilities that strengthen Michigan’s shooting sports community. Your donation will help with the areas of greatest need, including range improvements, expansion and shooting education programs.

Partnerships

Photo ambassadors

We're seeking "Ambassadors" to take photos of state parks, trails and waterways. Ambassadors provide photos to the Michigan DNR in exchange for promotion and swag.  

Sponsors and partners

Businesses and organizations are encouraged to get involved as DNR sponsors and partners in conserving natural and cultural resources.

More ways to get involved

Friends of State Parks

Friends groups are nonprofit organizations that play an invaluable role in helping to protect our state parks. Friends support these locations in a variety of ways, including fundraising, recruiting volunteers, leading restoration projects and providing educational programming for the public.

Volunteer on Belle Isle

Volunteer Greeters are truly the face of the Belle Isle Aquarium and ambassadors for the park. They are a friendly smile, welcome visitors to the facility, and available to answer general questions. Training is provided. Shifts are 3.5 hours and are available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday year-round.

Donate to fish and wildlife

The Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund provides revenue for the research and management of nongame (not usually taken for sport, fur or food) fish and wildlife and designated endangered animal and plant species. It may also include game species when located in protected areas.