Watch CBS News

Wanted: Volunteers To Spruce Up Michigan Parks

LANSING (CBS Detroit) - Many Michigan state parks are in need of some care and you can help to make them beautiful.

The Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to help with winter stewardship workdays several  Southeast Michigan  parks and recreation areas in March – the last opportunity to remove shrubs before spring.

Helpers will be able to cut invasive shrubs in natural areas within state parks and recreation areas.  Toward the end of the month, workdays will focus on pulling garlic mustard which is a non-native invasive plant that threatens to take over woodlands.

These activities will help protect and restore the wonderful natural areas in the state parks and recreation areas. There is also a plus to cleaning the parks.  Volunteering for the workdays is a great way for residents to be outdoors, breathe some fresh air, and be active.

The stewardship workday dates, times, and locations are:

• Sunday, March 3 – Algonac State Park (St. Clair), 1 to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, March 9 – Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m. to noon

• Saturday, March 16 – Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Sunday, March 17 – Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 1 to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, March 23 – Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, March 23 – Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Sunday, March 24 – Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 1 to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, March 30 – Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Participates should dress for the outdoor work.  This means wearing long pants, boots, and gloves to make sure that you do not get sick or are unable to work.

Volunteers should also bring drinking water and waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, for wetland sites.  If you do not have a pair of waterproof boots there are a limited number of waterproof boots available to borrow.

For more information about the specific tasks at each workday and directions, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers and link to the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays.

All volunteers are asked to register using the form available on the website or via email.  If you have any questions, contact Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.