Pitch in, hands-on

Here are just a few of the ways and days volunteers can team up this spring to care for our corner of the planet. 

March 25

Earth Hour

At 8:30 p.m., join an international once-a-year one-hour effort: turn off your lights and spend 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet.

earthhour.org

April 15

Beach clean-up, Holland State Park

9–11 a.m.

Gloves, buckets and grabbers will be provided. Hosted by Hope College and the Holland Youth Advisory Council.

April 22

Earth Day Garlic Mustard Pull, Eastmanville Bayou

2–4 p.m.

Help remove the pesky invasive plants along a stretch of the Grand River in Allendale. Closed toe shoes are recommended. Hosted by Friends of Ottawa County Parks.

miottawa.org/parks/

April 29

Earth Day Lakeshore Celebration, Grand Haven

12:30 p.m., parade begins in the parking lot in front of Ottawa County Courthouse (to participate, arrive by 12:15). 

1–4 p.m., fair at Central Park Place: information tables, food for sale, activities for kids, music. In past years, up to 40 organizations have participated.

Check Facebook page for other events April 22–29.

facebook.com/EarthDayLakeshoreCelebration/

May 20

Lake Macatawa clean-up, Holland

10 a.m.–noon

Volunteers will clean up a portion of the lake from the shore and (depending on the size of the group) in kayaks in the lake. Equipment, boats and life vests will be provided.

For details and pre registration link, see the event listing on the Outdoor Discovery Center event calendar (under “programs” tab).

outdoordiscovery.org

Monthly volunteer days at the Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s 12 protected natural areas along the Muskegon-to-Saugatuck stretch of the lakeshore are publicized, as dates approach, on the “explore” tab at naturenearby.org (as are volunteer opportunities at other Conservancy sites further north and east).