Volunteer Stewardship
Caring for and restoring the land creates a physical connection between people and the land they restore. At Chikaming Open Lands (COL), we aim to facilitate these connections by including the public in our preserve stewardship.
We invite you to volunteer with us at an upcoming Stewardship Workday. Not only will you help us tend to the preserves, you will also learn about local ecology and develop a connection with the land, all the while having a good time outside! Depending on the site needs, volunteers may plant natives, remove invasives, collect trash, build trails, install informational signage, and more. Each workday includes an educational component like plant identification or a guided nature walk. Our monthly workdays are held from March to November on the second Saturday of every month from 10 am - noon. Check the events calendar for more specific details about upcoming Stewardship Workdays.
If a monthly Workday is not enough for you, consider becoming a Preserve Steward! Each preserve has a Steward that helps monitor the property, gives input on management plans, and tracks progress toward goals. On-the-ground work involves visiting the park regularly, removing invasive plants, monitoring wildlife, and assisting at Stewardship Workdays.
Properly stewarding our preserves is no small task. We know that volunteers like you are critical to accomplishing our goals. Join us in caring for this corner of southwest Michigan that we call home!
