Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays in March. Volunteers are needed to help with removing invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems in the parks.

Please note that registration is required for all volunteer workdays.

Workdays will take place:

• 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 5, at Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County).
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County).
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 6 and 20, at Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County).
• 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 12, at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County).
• 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 12, 19 and 26, at Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County).
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County).
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County).
• 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 19, at Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County).
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at Waterloo Recreation Area (Jackson County).
• 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 26, at Belle Isle Park (Wayne County).
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County).
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County).

More details about each workday and how to register can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar.

DNR fisheries biologists, technicians and management teams are constantly working to better manage Michigan's fisheries. Making scientific, research-based decisions on rearing and stocking fish; regulations for fishing the Great Lakes, inland lakes and streams; and managing invasive species are just some of the key elements of what our fisheries staff do on a daily basis. Their hard work results in a flourishing fishing industry and healthier aquatic habitat that everyone can enjoy.

Want to talk with fisheries managers and biologists, discuss local issues and management activities, and get answers to your questions in a comfortable, informal setting? Join us for "Conversations and Coffee" events, offered in virtual and in-person formats:

• Central Lake Michigan Management Unit - Wednesday, March 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., virtual.
• Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit - Monday, March 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m., virtual.
• Northern Lake Michigan Management Unit - Thursday, March 24, 7-8 p.m. EDT, virtual.
• Eastern Lake Superior Management Unit - Monday, March 28, 7-8:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, Munising.
• Lake Erie Management Unit - Tuesday, March 29, 7:30 p.m., virtual.
• Western Lake Superior Management Unit (Ishpeming/Marquette) - Tuesday, March 29, 6-8 p.m. EDT, virtual.
• Western Lake Superior Management Unit (Houghton/Keweenaw) - Wednesday, March 30, 6-8 p.m. EDT, virtual.
• Western Lake Superior Management Unit (Ironwood/Bessemer) - Thursday, March 31, 7-9 p.m. EDT (6-8 p.m. CDT), virtual.
• Eastern Lake Superior Management Unit - Monday, April 4, 7-8:30 p.m., LMAS Health Department Building, Newberry.
• Eastern Lake Superior and Northern Lake Huron management units - Tuesday, April 5, 7-8:30 p.m., Michigan Department of Natural Resources Customer Service Center, Sault Ste. Marie.
• Lake Huron Management Unit - Thursday, April 7, 6-7 p.m., virtual.

For more details, see our "Conversations and Coffee" webpage.

Join Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ award-winning On the Ground – volunteer wildlife habitat improvement program in partnership with the DNR – to improve recreation opportunities and enhance habitat for small game on public land across Michigan.

Free lunch and an OTG volunteer T-shirt or carabiner mug are provided for all registered volunteers.

Saturday, March 5 – Accessible hunting blind and shooting lane maintenance in Clare County

Help clear shooting lanes for a new hunting blind within the Kleekamp Tract of the Gladwin State Game Area in Clare County. After enhancing habitat by building brush piles for small game for the past three years at this location, MUCC is happy to return to the area to assist in the clearing of shooting lanes for the new Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible hunting blind on this parcel of public land.

Register for Clare County event.

Saturday, March 26 – Small game habitat in Kalamazoo County

Join On the Ground program and the Kalamazoo Conservation District to improve habitat for small game at the Gourdneck State Game Area in Kalamazoo County. Volunteers will assist with bucking and limbing downed trees and stacking brush into piles.

Register for Kalamazoo County event.

Learn more about On the Ground and see other upcoming volunteer opportunities at MUCC.org/On-The-Ground.

If you or someone you know is looking for a truly hands-on way to help take care of Michigan’s natural resources, consider applying for the DNR’s conservation officer academy! We’ve just extended the application deadline to March 31 to allow more time for people to explore academy particulars and connect with recruiters to ask questions about the application process, eligibility, day-to-day duties and any other aspect of being a Michigan conservation officer.

What sets conservation officer training apart from other law enforcement training is the range of additional knowledge and techniques that recruits will learn during the academy, including specialized identification and education related to fish, game, trapping and waterfowl, and operation of marine vessels, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles – all of which COs use in their work patrolling outdoor areas and often challenging terrain.

“We often hear from people about how being a conservation officer is their dream job,” said F/Lt. Jason Wicklund. “Now is the time for those people. We’re looking for go-getters with excellent communication skills who want to make a difference in their communities.”

Connect with a recruiter and learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.