Volunteers Needed to Help Remove Invasive Plants at Holland State Park

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to help remove invasive plants from various state parks in West Michigan.

Volunteers are needed at Holland State Park on Tuesday, August 12.

Some exotic invasive plants, such as barberry and privet, were once planted as a common landscape plant. They now threaten bird and other species in our state parks. Other species, such as spotted knapweed, will also be removed to protect critical dune habitat.

Volunteers will learn to identify these plants and properly removing them. No experience is necessary and training and equipment are provided.

Dates, times and locations (counties) of group workdays are:

• Tuesday, Aug. 12: Holland State Park (Ottawa), noon-3 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 16: Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 19: Grand Mere State Park (Berrien), noon-3 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 23: Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 24: Warren Woods State Park (Berrien), 1-4 p.m.

All volunteers are encouraged to register in advance.

Questions should be directed to Heidi Frei at 517-202-1360 or freih@michigan.gov.