Please join us for one of these free events! Drop-ins are welcome, but it’s best if you email or call Ben VanderWeide in advance (bvanderweide@oaklandtownship.org, 248-651-7810 ext. 401). If you RSVP you will receive information about last minute changes or cancellations. You can also use the form at the bottom of the page to RSVP.
If you’d like to volunteer, but these days don’t work for you, consider getting involved in our volunteer programs for nest box monitoring, vernal pool monitoring, prescribed fire, native gardens, and more! Email Ben VanderWeide, bvanderweide@oaklandtownship.org.
Summer 2022 Stewardship Workdays
We will be removing invasive shrubs such as glossy buckthorn and autumn olive to help native species thrive around the perimeter of the northern marsh at Bear Creek Nature Park. Wear solid boots, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Water, snacks, tools, and training will be provided. All volunteers must sign a waiver (with minor’s waiver signed by a guardian), and minors under 14 must also be accompanied by a guardian.
| Event | Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive Shrub Workday | Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Rd | July 21 | 9 am to 12 pm |
| Invasive Shrub Workday | Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Rd | July 28 | 9 am to 12 pm |
| Invasive Shrub Workday | Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Rd | August 4 | 9 am to 12 pm |
What to Bring
Please remember to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes suitable for uneven terrain. Please dress for the weather and bring gloves if you have them. We provide tools, light snacks, water, and know-how. All minors must have a waiver signed by a guardian, and minors under 14 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Volunteers Needed! Would you like to learn new skills, work with a great team, and get more involved in local conservation? Our natural areas stewardship volunteers help with bluebird nest box monitoring, native seed collecting, prescribed fire, invasive species control, photo monitoring, pollinator garden maintenance, outreach, and more! We fit opportunities to your availability and interests. No special skills required. We’ll provide all training and tool you’ll need. To learn more contact Natural Areas Stewardship Manager Ben VanderWeide (bvanderweide@oaklandtownship.org).
Natural Areas Notebook 
As a multiple year volunteer of this excellent Oakland TWP Stewardship team I somehow missed seeing this web page’s update and missed joining the volunteers.
May I suggest, in the future when this page is updated, someone also sends out an email to all the
Steward team members an update has occurred.
I have also now checked the “Notify me of new posts via email.” box at the bottom of this page.
It will encourage more participation with very little effort,
Jon Reed
Great suggestion, I’ll try to make this happen when I update the volunteer workday page in the future. Thanks Jon.