Volunteer programs target invasives at state park

Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive species at Saugatuck Dunes State Park in Laketown Township on Sunday, Aug. 2, and Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Natural Resource Steward Tyler Lidgard of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will lead volunteers to the park’s dry sand prairie to remove spotted knapweed.

“Join us to help protect this park’s only dry sand prairie from being taken over by spotted knapweed. Enjoy a day in the sun while being surrounded by prickly pear and native prairie grasses,” Lidgard wrote on the state’s volunteer webpage.

Spotted knapweed is poisonous to other plants, creating barren areas where only knapweed grows, according to a state website. It is a threat to pastures and dry ecosystems including prairies and dunes. It can be a skin irritant.

“Spotted knapweed removal is an easy project, but we will be covering a lot of ground, so come prepared for a hike on uneven terrain and direct sunlight,” she said.

Dress for outdoor work. Wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirt, work boots, and have sun protection. Dress for the weather. Bring water and a snack.

Work gloves, eye protection, and hand tools are provided.

No experience necessary.

On Aug. 2, meet at the main entrance of the park, 6575 138^th Ave.

On Aug. 16, meet at the parking lot adjacent to the Felt Mansion, 6597 138^th Ave.

To register for Aug. 2, click here.

To register for Aug. 16, click here.

If a workday is canceled, registered participants will receive an email notice at least two hours before the scheduled meeting time.

Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who must sign a liability waiver for the minor. Organized youth group leaders may sign this waiver instead.

Volunteers will be walking off trail on uneven ground and bending over to cut and treat or pull invasive species. Expect to get dirty and to have potential exposure to poison ivy, poison sumac, ticks, mosquitos, and stinging insects.

For more information, contact Lidgard at lidgardt@michigan.gov or (517) 388-8517.

Check out some volunteer days in 2025 and earlier this year.

The 1,000-acre Saugatuck Dunes State Park includes hiking trails of varying difficulty through dunes to Lake Michigan with 2.5 miles of lake front. The park’s 300-acre Patty Birkholz Natural Area contains a coastal dune system and three endangered plant species.