There are two stewardship crews to choose from in Southern Michigan. One crew is based at Island Lake Recreation Area and will work on projects throughout southern Michigan. The position description for opportunities at this location is available here. The other stewardship crew is based at and primarily works at Algonac State Park. A complete position description is available here.  Both crews provide an excellent opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in ecological restoration. The MCCC Stewardship Crew is trained and directed by the Parks and Recreation Division, Stewardship Unit staff. Crew members should understand and appreciate the non-financial rewards of helping to preserve Michigan's natural resources for this and future generations.

The Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps (MCCC) is a special program that provides a variety of service opportunities to prepare young adults for future employment by enhancing on-the-job skills, offering many training opportunities, and providing hands-on work experiences to protect Michigan's unique natural heritage.

AmeriCorps is the national service program that serves as America's domestic Peace Corps. By joining AmeriCorps, Corpsmembers commit to a period of service to the community by protecting and improving Michigan's natural resources. AmeriCorps offers several educational awards that can be used toward higher education or to repay student loans upon completion of a set time requirement:

1700 hours of service -- $4,725

900 hours of service -- $2,362

675 hours of service -- $1800

450 hours of service -- $1,250

Corps members must be a resident of Michigan between the ages of 18 and 25, be unemployed at the time of enrollment and possess a social security card. They may not be children of elected or appointed officials. If seeking the crew leader position they can not have been previously employed with the DNR within the last 30 days. For more details about MCCC and AmeriCorps, click here.The MCCC Stewardship Crew is dedicated to preserving, protecting and restoring the natural and cultural resources present in Michigan state parks and recreation areas. Through a variety of stewardship activities and restoration projects, crewmembers can sharpen their zoological, botanical and ecological skills while learning what it takes to implement statewide conservation efforts through ecosystem management. Stewardship crews' daily activities include:

controlling invasive species

assisting with prescribed fires

collecting seeds from native plants

planting a variety of native plants to assist with restoration efforts

working on endangered species recovery

For additional information, contact
Robert Clancy, Ecological Restoration Specialist

517-202-1378

clancyre@michigan.gov

MDNR, Parks and Recreation Division
Island Lake Recreation Area
12950 East Grand River, Brighton MI 48116