Needs From: United Way of the Lakeshore

Make a difference—join us on the beach!

Muskegon City Parks & Recreation and Muskegon County Parks are partnering to improve the health and cleanliness of our local beaches. 

Volunteers will begin at the beach at Kruse Park and walk the shoreline to the beach at Dune Harbor Park, collecting litter along the way.

Get outside, connect with your community, and help keep our beaches clean!

Event Date & Time: 
May 2nd, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, followed by an optional picnic lunch!

Location:
Starting & Ending at Kruse Park
3205 W Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI 49441

What to bring:
All cleanup supplies—including gloves, bags, and data sheets—will be provided. Please bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes for the sandy, uneven trail. 

This event is part of the Adopt-A-Beach program, supporting clean, safe, and healthy shorelines.
 

Caring for the earth doesn't end in April! 

In partnership with Muskegon County Parks & the Muskegon Conservation District, join us for a fantastic day of aquatic native planting! 

During this event, volunteers will help plant 2,743 native aquatic plugs along the shoreline and water’s edge to restore habitat and improve water quality. Volunteers will also assist with planting native plants in the parking lot landscape areas to create native gardens. Converting these spaces to native plantings provides many benefits, including improved habitat for pollinators and wildlife, better stormwater absorption, reduced maintenance, and increased biodiversity.

Event Date & Time:
May 8th, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 

Location:

2161 Seminole Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49441

What to bring:
• Clothes you do not mind getting wet or muddy, as planting will take place in or near the water’s edge

• Waders, hip boots, rain boots, or muck boots

•Water Bottles

The Muskegon Conservation District and Muskegon County Parks will provide all necessary planting tools and gloves.

Volunteers must be high school age or older and comfortable working in or near the water’s edge.

If you’re interested in volunteering with younger children, be sure to check out next week’s Native Plug Planting opportunity!  

A special thank you to the Consumers Energy Foundation, whose Planet Award grant made this and many other events in 2025 and 2026 possible.

Caring for the earth doesn't end in April! 

In partnership with Muskegon County Parks & the Muskegon Conservation District, join us for a fantastic day of native planting! 

During this event, volunteers will help plant native plants in the parking lot landscape areas to create native gardens. Converting these spaces to native plantings provides many benefits, including improved habitat for pollinators and wildlife, better stormwater absorption, reduced maintenance, and increased biodiversity.

Event Date & Time:

Friday, May 15th, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

If all scheduled plants are installed before the end of the event, we will continue planting any remaining plants from previous workdays.

Location:

2161 Seminole Rd, Norton Shore, MI 49441

What to bring:

• Closed-toed shoes and clothing suitable for planting and getting dirty

• Water Bottles

Muskegon Conservation District and Muskegon County Parks will provide the necessary planting tools and gloves.

A special thank you to the Consumers Energy Foundation, whose Planet Award grant made this and many other events in 2025 and 2026 possible.  

Looking for a fun way to earn volunteer hours and help protect local nature?

Join the Muskegon Conservation District for a hands-on invasive species removal event at Muskegon Nature Preserve!

We’ll be hand-pulling European frog-bit, an invasive aquatic plant, to help restore and protect this beautiful natural area. Don’t worry, we’ll make it fun, social, and rewarding!


When: Meet at 9:00 AM, wrap up around Noon

Come for an hour or stay the whole time—every bit helps!

Where: Muskegon Nature Preserve 2529 Lake Avenue North Muskegon, MI, 49445

MCD will provide:
-Waders
-Gloves
-Kayaks & PFDs
-Trash bags & shrub rakes

You bring:
-Your own boots
-A snack or lunch
-A willingness to get a little muddy and make a big impact


This is a great opportunity to give back, learn about invasive species, and enjoy the outdoors with awesome people.

Questions? Contact the Muskegon Conservation District—we’d love to have you join us!

With 212 acres of land, including wetlands, woods, and grassy fields, we can always use a hand maintaining our grounds and landscaping. We are always seeking volunteers who enjoy working with their hands and spending time in the outdoors! Opportunities vary by season, but may include mowing grass, leaf blowing/raking, weed control, and ground improvement efforts like planting grass, spreading gravel or mulch, etc.

CLICK HERE to sign-up for our Spring Volunteer Day on Saturday, April 18th! 

Visit https://camphenry.org/get-involved/volunteer or contact us to learn about our ongoing needs:  volunteer@camphenry.org | 616.717.5556.