Oct. 3, 2017

Contact: Heidi Frei, 517-202-1360

Stewardship volunteer opportunities available in Fort Custer and Warren Dunes this month

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host a number of volunteer stewardship workdays at state parks and recreation areas in southwest Michigan throughout the month of October.

Volunteers are needed to remove non-native, invasive saplings and shrubs such as autumn Japanese barberry and black locust which threaten to crowd out native plants and disrupt balance in high-quality ecosystems. Volunteers will cut invasive shrubs and gather seeds from native prairie plants to help re-establish future native tallgrass prairie, lakeplain prairie and oak savanna ecosystems. Workdays are an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors, restore Michigan's ecosystems and learn about its inhabitants.

The Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays (which includes workday details, the stewardship volunteer registration form and links to individual park maps and directions) is available on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers. All volunteers are asked to register either by using the form or via email.

Workday dates, locations (counties) and times include:

• Saturday, Oct. 7: Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 14: Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 21: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 22: Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo), 1 to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 28: Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers should bring work gloves, drinking water and appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.

For more information on park stewardship volunteer opportunities, contact Heidi Frei at 517-202-1360 or freih@michigan.gov.

The DNR's Volunteer Stewardship 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 other activities. 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.

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.