Parks in Partnership: Michigan State University Extension Conservation Stewards

August 28, 2024

By: Erin Parker, Interpretive Services Supervisor

Have you ever run into our natural resources crews while visiting our parks? They’re the folks that remove hazard trees, locate and treat non-indigenous plants, manage our prescribed burns, and all of the other tasks that are required to maintain almost 20,000 acres of undeveloped land across our 13 Metroparks. It’s a big job and the work is never done! Luckily, they can rely on dedicated volunteers to come out during workdays to assist with some of their projects- from pulling garlic mustard from wooded areas in the spring to collecting seeds from prairies and meadows in the fall, there are a variety of conservation tasks for everyone.

Volunteer training and community science

If you’ve ever wanted to become a volunteer- at the Metroparks or elsewhere- or simply better understand how to steward your own land, the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program (CSP), an 8-week training program, will provide hands-on experience learning to recognize habitats and give you the skills to maintain and manage them. Michigan State University Extension, one of the Metroparks’ frequent partners, leads the program throughout the State in collaboration with local and regional partners. In 2024, the Michigan Conservation Stewards program is coming to Macomb County to help enthusiastic adults learn essential strategies to understand, restore, and conserve ecosystems.

Conservation stewards spend 8 weeks exploring Michigan’s diverse natural world; partially learning at home through virtual assignments and, most importantly, through classes located in a variety of parks throughout their selected county to explore landscapes in person. Two longer field days allow for more time and depth to better understand local ecology. Each participant also completes a project, either independently or in small groups, that puts their new-found knowledge and skills to work.

The Metroparks have partnered with the Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne County cohorts in prior years (each cohort is typically offered every other year) and are excited to bring the program to Macomb County. Participants will explore a variety of park locations, led by experts from Macomb County, to learn about the ecosystems of the region and the threats that they face. The conclusion of the course includes a presentation by each student about their final project, providing an opportunity to showcase the breadth and depth of experiences that students take from the program.

Community building and community benefits

According to Metroparks’ Chief of Natural Resources and Regulatory Compliance, Katie Carlisle, “This is a great partnership to be a part of. It’s a wonderful community where we can learn new and best management practices from each other in order to take care of the natural landscapes in Southeast Michigan.”

By working in partnership with local organizations, each cohort can focus on the ecological communities specific to their area. This also helps connects groups looking for volunteers with people eager to give back, as each session is taught by experts in terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems as well as the specific natural communities of each region in Michigan. Students learn about diverse habitats from forests and fields to streams and lakes, and they tour each community to put their learning in the context of the places their studying.

“Native plants and animals don’t understand political boundaries. This class is a great opportunity to get folks excited and knowledgeable about how and why to care for the natural world inside and outside of the Metroparks,” added Carlisle.

If you are interested in learning more about the Conservation Stewards Program or participating this year or in the future, check out https://www.canr.msu.edu/conservation_stewards_program/  Most parks, nature centers, and other sites welcome non-formally trained volunteers, too. Workdays at parks are open to all, and training and supplies will be provided on site.

Come on out and support your Metroparks and our partners through volunteering this fall! More information and a volunteer application can be found here: https://www.metroparks.com/volunteering/