 The Huron-Clinton Metroparks is looking for volunteers to help with ecosystem management and restoration. The Metroparks Natural Resources Department typically holds two or three volunteer workdays each month from March to November. Volunteers are needed to help with projects that vary depending on the time of year.
In the spring, volunteers are needed to pull garlic mustard, an invasive plant that threatens forest health by crowding out native species. In the fall, volunteers collect native prairie seeds, which are used to expand prairie restoration areas. At other times of the year, volunteers use hand saws and loppers to remove invasive shrubs from forests and other natural areas. Throughout the year, there may be additional projects that require volunteer assistance, such as installing native plants or testing water quality.
For all Natural Resources Department volunteer workdays, the Metroparks provide all necessary tools and equipment, including water and snacks. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing. Check out these Tips for Safe Volunteering and Volunteer Workday FAQs to prepare for a workday!
2013 Volunteer Workday Schedule
*Please check back here for workday cancellations.*
Date Time Park 
4/6/13 10:00-1:00 Hudson Mills
4/9/13 3:00-5:00 Oakwoods
4/18/13 3:00-5:00 Huron Meadows
4/20/13 10:00-1:00 Kensington
4/27/13 10:00-1:00 Dexter-Huron
5/4/13 10:00-1:00 Stony Creek
5/11/13 10:00-1:00 Hudson Mills
5/14/13 3:00-5:00 Oakwoods
5/16/13 3:00-5:00 Huron Meadows
6/8/13 10:00-1:00 Kensington
6/11/13 3:00-5:00 Oakwoods
6/20/13 3:00-5:00 Huron Meadows
6/22/13 10:00-1:00 Indian Springs
7/9/13 3:00-5:00 Oakwoods
7/13/13 10:00-1:00 Kensington
7/18/13 3:00-5:00 Huron Meadows
7/27/13 10:00-1:00 Hudson Mills
8/13/13 3:00-5:00 Oakwoods
8/15/13 3:00-5:00 Huron Meadows
8/24/13 10:00-1:00 Dexter-Huron
8/31/13 10:00-1:00 Kensington
9/10/13 3:00-5:00 Oakwoods
9/14/13 10:00-1:00 Stony Creek
9/19/13 3:00-5:00 Huron Meadows
9/28/13 10:00-1:00 Kensington
10/5/13 10:00-1:00 Stony Creek
10/8/13 3:00-5:00 Oakwoods
10/17/13 3:00-5:00 Kensington
11/2/13 10:00-1:00 Dexter-Huron
11/16/13 10:00-1:00 Indian Springs
Look for Ecological Restoration Volunteer Workdays on the events calendar to get more information on upcoming workdays. To register for a workday or for more information on ways to get involved with ecological stewardship at the Metroparks, contact Allison Esper at allison.esper@metroparks.com.
Find photos from our workdays here!
Corporate and Group Workdays
We are happy to partner with local businesses, corporations, and organizations to offer workday opportunities for employees and organized groups. Some of the businesses and organizations that have worked with the Natural Resources Department in the past include Ford, Volkswagen, Central Michigan University Alternative Weekends, the Southeast Michigan Geocaching Organization, and Marriott. Our most active partner is REI, which not only provides assistance in the form of volunteers, but also provides financial assistance in the form of grants that are used to keep our program running. The Metroparks are also happy to partner with Oakland County and Michigan State University Extension on their Conservation Stewards Program which provides training and experience to those who want to conserve Michigan's natural resources.
Volunteer Statistics for 2012
As of December, 2012, we had...
- 24 volunteer workdays in 7 parks
- 384 different volunteers
- Almost 1400 hours of work contributed
- 280 30-gallon bags (8,370 pounds) of garlic mustard pulled
- About 54 acres cleared of invasive shrubs
- 15 pounds of native grass seed collected
- 1.5 miles of trail improved or constructed
- Work performed in 7 different ecosystems
Thank you so much to those of you who volunteered your time and efforts with the Huron-Clinton Metroparks this year! Your help allowed us to accomplish so much more than we can do on our own and we truly appreciate it. We hope to work with you again next year!
|