Volunteers are a critical backbone to the work that we do here at MBGNA. From planting, weeding, and seed saving to running spring plant sales, sharing about our collections as docents, and managing invasive species through ecosystem workdays at the arboretum, volunteers make our mission possible. 

Some volunteers support us with their consistency day to day. And some volunteers support us with consistent big lifts each year. Annual corporate team workdays help us tackle large projects in just a day's work. One such team is the Ford team, which has been volunteering with us since 2002. While the faces change year to year, their grit, hard work, and good cheer are consistent. 

“I can say the Ford Crew, in particular, has had a BIG impact,” Jeff Plakke, our Natural Areas Lead, shares. “They’ve built rock walls and boardwalks, dug out dozens of stumps, hauled and chipped mountains of branches and brush, weeded our collections, mulched our trails, helped us plant trees and shrubs, installed deer caging, split-rail fencing- you name it! They bring competence and tenacity like few other groups can, often completing the tasks we had planned for them and more.”

Not all faces change year-to-year. One employee, Eric Hunsanger, has been present for every workday since 2002. “Volunteering with the Ford Volunteer Corps has been very meaningful to me throughout my career at Ford. It’s great to consistently return to the Arboretum year after year. This was a special place for me when I was an undergrad at the University of Michigan, and I'm so happy to give back. Coming back each year lets us see how our work, combined with other volunteer groups, is making a positive impact.” 

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at this link.