The Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers for stewardship workdays to be held throughout July in southeastern Michigan.

Volunteers are needed to help cut and pull invasive, non-native plants. The best time to remove spotted knapweed, one such invasive plant, is in July just after flowering has begun but before seeds have started to form. These activities will help protect and restore the unique natural areas in these southeastern Michigan state parks. This is important work and it takes many hands. Volunteering for these workdays is a great way to GO-Get Outdoors, enjoy the summer and give back to your state parks.

Dates, locations and times of the workdays are as follows:

• Saturday, July 11, Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland Co.), 9 a.m. to 12 noon
  
• Sunday, July 12, Algonac State Park (St. Clair Co.), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  
• Saturday, July 18, Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw Co.), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  
• Saturday, July 18, Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw Co.), 2 to 4 p.m.
  
• Sunday, July 19, Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw Co.), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  
• Monday, July 20, Highland Recreation Area (Oakland Co.), 9 a.m. to 12 noon
  
• Saturday, July 25, Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston Co.), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  
• Sunday, July 26, Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston Co.), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers should bring appropriate clothing and items for outdoor work, including long pants, boots, gloves, drinking water and sunscreen. Long-sleeved shirts should be worn for spotted knapweed removal at the Pinckney, Island Lake and Brighton Recreation Area workdays.

For information about the specific tasks at each location and to obtain directions, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers and link to the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays. All volunteers are asked to register using the form available on the Web site. Any questions should be directed to Laurel Malvitz-Draper at (248) 359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov.

Join the DNR in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Michigan State Parks (1919-2009) this year. Events are being posted at www.michigan.gov/dnrgogetoutdoors.