Spring is approaching! While preparing for upcoming spring projects, I’ve been thinking about the impact of our volunteers. We have amazing volunteers! People who generously give of their time and talents in so many different ways. People who are dedicated to preserving and restoring natural areas. People who support and advocate for both our social and biological communities. The impact of our volunteers can be seen in the bags of garlic mustard removed each spring, in the wonderment of children learning about nature, and in the trails that are kept trimmed for our park guests. There are too many ways to list. Did I mention that our volunteers are amazing?
It is our honor to formally thank and recognize the extraordinary impact of one of our long-time volunteers, Don Williams. I think many who have had the pleasure of meeting Don would agree when I say he is a thoughtful, steadfast, humble caretaker of our shared natural spaces. He continues to be a mainstay at many park locations and has contributed in all the ways listed above and more. He has volunteered over 2000 hours (and counting) serving our community through our parks; a milestone that only a few extremely dedicated volunteers have achieved. A resolution was passed by the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission on March 2, 2022 to recognize and appreciate the innumerable contributions of Don Williams to the enhancement of Ottawa County Parks and Recreation.
Don has also helped us create a short video about our responsibility to care for our ‘Public Backyard’. Check it out below!
As Don says, it takes a community of volunteers to care for our parks. Join us in caring for our public backyard during one of our upcoming Spring Volunteer Workdays! In the coming months we will be offering a series of Saturday beach cleanups and garlic mustard removal workdays. Registration is required. You can view dates and locations, and register online through our Volunteer Workday Calendar (click for link).
If you are interested in learning more about other opportunities for individuals and groups to volunteer in our parks, please fill out a volunteer application (click for link) or contact Carly Garvelink at cgarvelink@miottawa.org. Our goal is to provide you with a rewarding and meaningful volunteer experience that contributes to the mission of Ottawa County Parks & Recreation.