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.
Garlic Mustard Workdays
Garlic mustard and dame’s rocket push out the native plants that our wildlife need. We need your help to remove these invasive plants from our parks! Workdays last from 9 am to 12 pm, but will be cancelled if the weather is bad. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic Mustard Workday | Meet at Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 West Snell Rd. | May 2 | 9 am to 12 pm |
| Garlic Mustard Workday | Meet at Watershed Ridge Park, 1880 West Buell Rd. | May 9 | 9 am to 12 pm |
| Garlic Mustard Workday | Paint Creek Trail. Meet at the Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd. | May 16 | 9 am to 12 pm |
| Garlic Mustard Workday | Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 West Snell Rd. | May 23 | 9 am to 12 pm |
Invasive Shrub Workdays at Bear Creek Nature Park
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, a long-sleeved shirt and bring a water and snack. Tools and training will be provided. Meet in the parking lot at 740 West Snell Rd, Rochester, MI 48306.
| Event | Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive Shrub Workday | Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 West Snell Rd. | July 11 | 9 am to 12 pm |
| Invasive Shrub Workday | Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 West Snell Rd. | July 18 | 9 am to 12 pm |
| Invasive Shrub Workday | Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 West Snell Rd. | August 1 | 9 am to 12 pm |
| Invasive Shrub Workday | Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 West Snell Rd. | August 8 | 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.