Stewardship days Oct. 8 and 16 at local state park

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is requesting volunteers to participate in stewardship days being held at the Highland Recreation Area from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16.

Before Europeans settled in southern Michigan, vast expanses of prairie and oak savanna existed in the area. Today, very few prairies and savannas remain. Therefore, in an effort to restore these landscapes, volunteers will be hand-collecting native prairie seeds that will be used for later planting by the Stewardship Unit to restore native tallgrass prairie, lakeplain prairie, and oak savanna ecosystems.

Those wishing to volunteer are asked to bring an empty, clean, and dry 1-gallon milk jug or small bucket to collect the seeds, and to wear sturdy shoes.

Volunteers are meeting at the Silo Field Trial Area parking lot on Livingston Road between Pettibone Lake and Beaumont roads.

For more information about volunteer stewardship days, contact Laurel Malvitz-Draper at malvitzl@michigan.gov or at 248-359-9057.