Overview: Volunteers will assist staff to remove invasive species in the natural areas of the Arb. Depending upon the weather, volunteers will either be removing invasive shrubs like honeysuckle or buckthorn, or invasive herbaceous plants if they have begun to sprout. This is physical outdoor work. Volunteers may be using loppers and hand saws. They will be cutting, pulling, dragging, and stacking plant material. The work involves bending, kneeling, and standing.
Timing: Volunteer activity is from 9:00 - 12:00 pm, followed by lunch at Nichols Arboretum Reader Center at 12:00 pm provided by the School of Public Health. (Please note: 8:30 am - 1:00 pm time listed above allows for travel time to and from the site.)
Dress code: Long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. We recommend volunteers dress in layers to be comfortable outside for the duration of the workday. Refillable water bottles are encouraged.
Family: To register any family members who are interested in joining you at your Service Day site, please email Whitney Vojtkofsky (whitdix@umich.edu).
School of Public Health Alumni: If you are interested in participating in Service Day this year, we would love to have you join us! If you have an active ‘@umich’ email address, you can register using that email. If you do not, please email Whitney Vojtkofsky (whitdix@umich.edu) with the name of the site where you would like to volunteer, as well as any dietary restrictions or allergies you’d like us to be aware of.
*Please note: In case of inclement weather that would require the School of Public Health to cancel the Nichols Arboretum service project, volunteers may choose to participate in Service Day by volunteering at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Transportation can be provided by the School of Public Health if needed. Volunteers will be notified via email the week of Service Day in the case of inclement weather in the forecast.
