Come to Blue Heron Environmental Area this Saturday morning to help with natural areas stewardship! Blue herons nested at a rookery in this park for many years until about 2008, giving the park its name. Although one of our oldest parks, it is not normally accessible to the public to protect the sensitive wildlife that live there. If you come to the workday you’ll get a rare look at the high quality woodlands of this park.

• Where: Blue Heron Environmental Area. Meet at the circle drive off Rochester Road. There are farm fields north and south of the circle drive area, but no permanent signs marking the entrance to the park. We’ll have small signs with a woodpecker on them posted on Saturday morning to help you find the entrance.

• When: Saturday, August 23 from 9 am – noon. In the event of thunderstorms, the event will be cancelled.
• Who: Anyone! This event is free, with no experience necessary. We’ll train you to do the work. Most tasks are relaxing and do not require an Olympic athlete.
• Why: Blue Heron Environmental Area has some of the highest quality woodlands out of all of our township parks. We’d like to keep them in good shape for residents and wildlife to enjoy!
• What: Bring water and gloves, and wear sturdy closed-toed shoes and long pants. We’ll have extra water and a few gloves if you can’t bring your own.

We will have light snacks and water available. You will need to sign a release form before we begin working. Families are encouraged to attend! All minors will need permission from a parent or guardian to participate, and minors under 14 will need to have a parent or guardian present. We will have lots of fun, so plan to come and share this opportunity with others! The schedule of upcoming workdays can be found at the Volunteer Calendar.

Our natural areas have many special plants, including Michigan Lily. Come to Blue Heron Environmental Area to help keep our natural areas in good shape!