If you care about protecting, preserving and promoting Michigan’s natural and cultural resources, there are many ways to get involved in taking care of them. Here are some opportunities coming up in November.
Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays. Volunteers are needed to help restore natural areas by removing invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems or collecting native wildflower and grass seeds. Workdays will take place:
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County).
10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 4, at Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County).
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, and Sunday, Nov. 19, and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County).
9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 11, at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County).
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County).
10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 12, at Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County).
9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18, at Belle Isle Park (Wayne County).
10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18, at Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County).
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County).
Hunters can help hungry families in their community by donating deer to Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that partners with the DNR to help connect donors, wild game processors and charities like food banks, pantries and shelters that help feed those in need. Hunters also can donate money to support venison processing when buying hunting licenses.
Support tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks by signing up for the 2024 Run for the Trees: Happy Little 5K. You have between April 22 (Earth Day) and April 26 (Arbor Day) to complete your 5K on foot, or by bike, skate or paddle or using a mobility device. You pick the pace and the place, anywhere outdoors! Registration is $36 and includes a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, finisher’s medal, commemorative bib number and shipping.
