Volunteers target invasives at state park

Next stewardship workday is Aug. 24 at Saugatuck Dunes State Park.

Liz Uppleger picks spotted knapweed at a volunteer stewardship workday on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave.

Tyler Lidgard stood at the ready in the parking lot at Shore Acres Park in Laketown Township on Sunday morning, Aug. 3, 2025. The natural resource steward with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources ran through the final checklist with the two volunteers:

Equipment: Gloves – check. Dandelion weeder and plastic garbage bags – Check and check.

Target: Spotted knapweed, an invasive plant with purple flowers from eastern Europe. Lidgard grasped a bunch in her fist and explained how to pull the plant and roots then packed them in a plastic bag for safe disposal.

Goal: Remove as much as possible so it doesn’t spread beyond the grassy areas.

“We’re trying to keep the dunes from getting it,” Lidgard said as the group hit the overrun area next to the road that leads into Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave.

Check out a video on Instagram of the crew at work here.

Tyler Lidgard, right, natural resource steward with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, explains how to identify and pick spotted knapweed to Mike Ricco, center, and Liz Uppleger at a volunteer stewardship workday on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave.

Next event Aug. 24

Sunday’s event was the second volunteer stewardship workday this season at the state park. The first was in March. The next workday is 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Aug. 24, at the state park to continue the removal of the spotted knapweed.

Volunteers clear out the invasive spotted knapweed on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave.

Be prepared for direct sunlight. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended.

Register by emailing Tyler Lidgard at LidgardT@Michigan.gov.

Events may be canceled due to inclement weather and other reasons. Please call the park to confirm dates/times prior to your arrival. Lidgard can be reached at (517) 388-8517.

Mike Ricco picks spotted knapweed on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave.
Volunteers Liz Uppleger, left, Mike Ricco, center, and Tyler Lidgard, right, natural resource steward with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, pick spotted knapweed at a volunteer stewardship workday on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave.