As Earth Day approaches and people plan on turning off their lights or leaving their cell phones at home, the Department of Natural Resources has announced three days of activities to help get residents involved in cleaning up Wisconsin’s parks, forests and trails.
The annual series of events called “Work*Play*Earth Day” will take place April 19, April 26 and May 3. Activities will include planting trees, installing benches, removing invasive plant species, painting picnic tables, raking and removing leaves and collecting trash, according to a statement on DNR’s website.
“When the work is done, volunteers join staff in hiking or biking park trails, visiting nature centers or interpretive displays, or enjoying any of the recreational opportunities available at the different properties,” State Parks Program spokesperson Patty Loosen said in the statement.
Volunteers will be provided with refreshments on location and appreciation gifts from Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.
The 2013 Work*Play*Earth Day event attracted more than 700 volunteers who donated 2,500 hours to the cause.
Interested volunteers should check with the specific park they would like to volunteer at for details. DNR encouraged the use of the “find a park” feature of their website to choose or locate a park to volunteer at.
[Photo from DNR event statement]
