FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 24, 2015

Contact: 
Laurel Malvitz-Draper (southeast Michigan), 517-719-2285 or
Heidi Frei (southwest Michigan), 517-202-1360

Volunteers needed in December for stewardship in southern Michigan

Volunteers of all ages are invited to enjoy the crisp December weather while helping to restore high-quality, unique ecosystems and learning more about them during volunteer stewardship workdays at several Michigan state parks.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced the schedule of December workdays at state parks in southeastern Michigan. Volunteers are needed to cut invasive, non-native shrubs like glossy buckthorn, autumn olive, multi-flora rose and others to help restore important ecosystems.

Workday dates, locations (counties) and times include:

Southeast Michigan

Saturday, Dec. 5: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5: Waterloo Recreation Area (Jackson), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 1-4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m.-noon
Sunday, Dec. 13: Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 1-4 p.m.

Southwest Michigan

Saturday, Dec. 5: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12: Muskegon State Park (Muskegon), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 13:  Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo), 1-4 p.m.

Volunteers should bring work gloves, drinking water and appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Workday details, maps and directions can be found on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers; click the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays link.

All volunteers are asked to register using the form available on the DNR website or via email. For more information about southeastern Michigan state park workdays, contact Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 517-719-2285 or malvitzl@michigan.gov. For details about southwestern Michigan park workdays, contact Heidi Frei at 517-202-1360 or freih@michigan.gov.

The DNR's Volunteer Steward Program is a hands-on way for all ages to learn about and protect Michigan's natural resources by collecting native seeds, removing invasive species, conducting plant and animal surveys, and more. Other ways to volunteer with the DNR include joining a state park friends group, serving as a campground host or a lightkeeper, and many other opportunities. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers.

Inside Michigan’s Great Outdoors subscribers are always the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to subscribe now.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.