At Oakland Township Parks and Recreation, we are privileged to work with dedicated volunteers whose contributions to our Natural Areas Stewardship program enrich our community. Today, we shine the spotlight on George Hartsig, an exceptional individual who has helped us restore high quality natural areas, bring wildflowers back to former farm fields, and create a community of volunteers.
Returning to His Roots
After graduating with a degree in Resource Development from Michigan State University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1972, George Hartsig returned home to work in the family plumbing and well supply business, Hartsig Supply, until his retirement.
When George started volunteering with our natural areas stewardship program in 2021, in many ways he was getting back to what he studied at MSU. He wanted to be outdoors with people with the same common purpose. George has helped with nearly every aspect of our stewardship program, from invasive shrub control, vernal pool monitoring and prescribed burns.
Seeds for the Future
In the last few years George has taken a special interest in collecting, cleaning, and spreading native plant seeds because he knows it will leave a positive, lasting impression on the environment. George has personally collected at least 84 pounds of local native wildflower seed! He constantly innovates to help us more efficiently collect and clean seed, finding new uses for softener salt bags (great seed collecting bag with sturdy handles!), leaf vacuums (speeds up seed cleaning!), and a household canister vacuum (cleaning milkweed seed used to be the worst!). George is excited to see future wildflower displays from the seed he collected.
In addition to volunteering with us, George completed the Michigan Conservation Steward Program through Michigan State University Extension in 2023. This program gave him the knowledge and confidence to work more independently on projects like native seed collecting that are vitally important to our habitat restoration work but often don’t get done because our stewardship staff are so busy.
With leadership from our volunteers, we collected 171 pounds of native plant seed from 159 species in 2024, double or triple what we usually collect! This seed all goes back to our parks to improve habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and to make our parks more beautiful for everyone to enjoy. We hope to see you at one of our seed collecting and cleaning workdays this fall!
“Take the First Step”
When asked why he volunteers with our Natural Areas Stewardship program, George said, “I love the friendly attitudes, the banter, and the [opportunity] to learn something new every time I come out.” Indeed, his drive to observe the natural world, learn more, and understand “why” define George’s approach to volunteering.
For those considering volunteering, George encourages everyone to take the first step. As he aptly puts it, “There is a volunteering opportunity to suit your needs and capabilities.” Whether it’s seed collecting, habitat restoration, or community education, every effort counts. Give something a try and become part of a movement dedicated to preserving our parks and planet for future generations.
Check out the volunteer workdays page see the full schedule for seed collecting workdays this fall. To learn more about our natural areas stewardship program, visit the Oakland Township Parks website!
George is just amazing. He’s quickly become an expert on identifying and gathering seed – even inventing new ways to do it. We’re so lucky to have volunteers like him. He really is leaving a legacy with this work. In the last few weeks, when I’ve gotten back out into the parks after a summer away, I keep seeing evidence of his work – at Bear Creek and at Watershed Ridge where one of my favorite wildlflowers, Sneezeweed (which never made anyone sneeze!) is now flourising because of George’s work. Bravo, George!