Several state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays, where volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems.

Workdays will take place at:

• Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 8.
• Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 8.
• Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, July 9, and?Saturday, July 29.
• Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County), 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, July 9, and 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 28.
• Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, July 14.
• Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15, and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, July 23.
• Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 15.
• Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 16.
• Grand Mere State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 22.
• Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, July 30.

More details about each workday and how to register can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar.

Join in Manistee River cleanup with MUCC On the Ground

On the Ground, Michigan United Conservation Clubs? volunteer program in partnership with the DNR, will team up with Steelhead Manifesto to clean up trash in and around the Manistee River Saturday, July 15.

Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to noon and will meet at the High Bridge Boat Launch in Brethren. All ages are welcome to attend. Registered participants will receive free lunch and a volunteer appreciation gift.

Volunteers are welcome to venture out on the river via watercraft (boat, kayak, canoe), or drive to different river access sites to remove trash from the surrounding area. Trash bags, grabbers and gloves will be provided.

MSU Extension Mobile Boat Wash will also host a station at High Bridge ? stop by and learn about aquatic invasive species and get your boat washed for free!

Get more details and register for the Manistee River cleanup.

Become a Conservation Steward

Gain the skills you need to contribute to land and water stewardship and educational efforts in your local area with Michigan State University Extension?s Conservation Stewards Program.

Conservation Stewards help protect and restore Michigan's diverse ecosystems and natural communities. They work with naturalists, biologists and land managers to remove invasive species, build trails and contribute valuable data to community science projects. Participants also create their own conservation networks by interacting with fellow participants and local conservation organization staffers.

Classroom and online sessions deliver the foundations of conservation, and local field experiences guide students through forest land, grassland, wetland, lake and stream environments. Participants work on capstone projects with other students to help them apply what they learn to real-world conservation needs in their communities.

Registration is open through Aug. 30 for the 2023 program, beginning the week of Sept. 11 and running through the week of Nov. 13. Cost is $250, with partial scholarship opportunities available.

On Pheasant Fridays, join representatives from Pheasants Forever and learn about firearm safety and the organization's effort to restore habitat for these beautiful birds. Participants will get an opportunity to shoot a BB gun with expert instruction in a safe environment. There will also be hands-on activities to learn about grasslands and pollinators. Pheasant Friday will take place July 7 at Sterling State Park in Monroe, July 14 at Bay City State Park and July 28 at Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area in Lapeer County.

The National Wild Turkey Federation brings its interactive, inflatable shooting range to several state parks for BB gun shoots in July. Families and kids can shoot BB guns alongside trained range-safety professionals and learn about firearm safety practices, conservation efforts and the biology of the wild turkey. For ages 7 and older; children must have a parent/guardian present. BB shoots are scheduled for July 17 at Wilderness State Park in Emmet County, July 18 at Straits State Park in St. Ignace, and July 20 and July 21 at Palms Book State Park in Schoolcraft County.

Celebrate kites, Christmas and wood shaving

July includes some unique events at state parks around Michigan. The Detroit Kite Festival, July 9 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit, gathers kite enthusiasts of all ages to share in the joy of kite flying, with live music throughout the day. During Wood Shaving Days, July 15 and 16 at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, see steam-powered sawmill demonstrations and watch wood carvers and blacksmiths create their wares. Visitors can celebrate Christmas in July at Wells State Park in Menominee County July 21 and 22. Get in the holiday spirit and join in activities like Christmas-themed campsite decorating, crafts and caroling around a campfire.

Explore Michigan history

The Michigan History Center offers a variety of opportunities to delve into Michigan?s past.

Drop by the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee on select Tuesday afternoons and discover the Upper Peninsula?s intriguing history, courtesy of a variety of experts. July 11, learn about the history of Ukrainians in the U.P. July 18, see a screening of ?The Iron Town,? a documentary about the discovery of iron ore in the U.P., followed by a question and answer session with the filmmakers. The July 25 session will feature a discussion of the company towns and culture on the Marquette Iron Range. The Tuesday afternoon programs are also available on the?Michigan Iron Industry Museum Facebook page.

Cambridge Junction Historic State Park in Lenawee County will host summer camps for kids July 19-21, featuring two hours of fun and discovery through history-related activities each day. July at Cambridge Junction will also include live bluegrass music from the Front Paige Band July 20 and a quilt workshop, where participants will learn how to make a pillow, July 27 and 28.

Find summer fun at the Outdoor Adventure Center

Get ready to explore the outdoors with a variety of fun programs for all ages at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit.

The OAC?s July calendar includes archery, education programs for kids and seniors, yoga, family hikes and much more. Learn about fish found in the Detroit River and how to catch them with Get Hooked on Fishing July 8 and July 29; check out Nature Discovery - Live Reptiles and Amphibians July 15; enjoy an evening all about a hard-working pollinator during Honeybees and Beyond With Bees in the D July 21. Plus, don't miss two chances to celebrate birthdays ? the OAC's (July 15), with?outdoor activities, crafts and live animals (and free treats to first 200 guests) and Detroit's (July 22), with a screening of the film "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" and some iconic Detroit snacks (while they last).

That's just a glimpse of what you can do this month at the OAC. Find more info about these and other programs on the Outdoor Adventure Center events calendar.

Learn how to fly fish

Sign up for the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy fly fishing clinic, July 8-9 or July 22-23 at Mitchell State Park in Cadillac. This class for beginners will cover the basics of fly fishing, including demonstrations and instruction for various fly casts and instruction in fly selection based on target species. It will begin with a classroom session and then move outside to the park?s canal for the hands-on portion of the class. Day 2 will be on the Manistee River below Tippy Dam.