WDNR – People will be able to celebrate Earth Day while helping out and enjoying one of 18 Wisconsin state park and forest properties during the fourth annual Work*Play*Earth Day volunteer events sponsored by the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks. The events will be held April 14, 21, 27, 28 and May 5. 
“Last year more than 250 volunteers donated more than 1,200 hours cleaning up and maintaining parks and trails,” says Patty Loosen, friends group coordinator for the Wisconsin State Parks Program.
Volunteers join Department of Natural Resources staff, local friends group members, and people from nearby communities for a day of getting their hands dirty helping repair and improve park and trail facilities. Activities include planting trees and shrubs, installing benches, removing invasive plants, staining and painting picnic tables and other structures, raking and clearing up leaves and pine needles, and picking up litter. Refreshments will be provided and Friends of Wisconsin State Parks will also provide appreciation gifts for volunteers.
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 parks.
Each work day will run from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The schedule may vary slightly at each location. Volunteers should wear work boots or athletic shoes, long pants and bring their own work gloves. Advanced registration is free, but required. People can register through the park, forest, trail or recreation area where they would like to volunteer.
Work*Play*Earth Day events are schedule on the following dates:
- April 14: Stower Seven Lakes State Trail -Amery
- April 21: Kohler-Andrae State Park-Sheboygan; Harrington Beach State Park- Belgium; Havenwoods State Forest- Milwaukee; Mirror Lake State Park- Baraboo; Big Foot Beach State Park- Lake Geneva.
- April 27 - Peninsula State Park- Fish Creek
- April 28 - Lapham Peak State Park-Delafield; High Cliff State Park-Sherwood; Perrot State Park-Trempealeau; Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit-Campbellsport; Devils Lake State Park- Baraboo; Wyalusing State Park-Bagley; Mead Wildlife Area-Milladore.
- May 5 - Hartman Creek State Park-Waupaca; Roche-A-Cri State Park-Friendship; Pike Lake State Forest-Hartford; Whitefish Dunes State Park-Sturgeon Bay.
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