PORTERSVILLE — Moraine State Park is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. It's a place for seasonal activities, field trips, family outings and annual events such as the Moraine State Park Regatta.

Moraine Preservation Fund keeps the park open. Volunteers keep the preservation fund active.

“We often rely on volunteer support to complete projects throughout the park and support park related events,” said Cassandra Dixon, vice president of Moraine Preservation Fund board of directors. “With funding being cut to support our state park, now is an even more essential time for park users and visitors to get involved.”

The preservation fund is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 organization that maintains the park and its resources. Volunteers also work to protect the habitats of animals that make the park their home. The fund supports McConnells Mill and Jennings Environmental Education Center as well.“There are a wide variety of ways to volunteer,” Dixon said. “And because we are looking for volunteers all year round for things, we don't need a monthly commitment (and there's) very little training or none for some tasks.”One example of a position that requires more training is piloting the Nautical Nature. Volunteers must know how to handle the 37-passenger boat, which provides seasonal educational cruises on Lake Arthur.Volunteers are also needed to clean trails and build things around the park. These are often one-time commitments that require no training.“Some of the activities are a bit more physical in nature,” Dixon said. “But we also offer others that are not.”

Board members are specifically looking for volunteers from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to clean the brick paths around McDanels Launch Area. The launch is on the North Shore. Tools will be provided.The preservation fund will take anyone as a volunteer for any amount of time.“Even if an individual is looking to ... help a single time for a few hours,” Dixon said.Dixon said the park turns 50 next year and will be celebrating all year.“A year's worth of events and activities are being planned,” Dixon said.Volunteers are especially needed for Winterfest on Feb. 8.

As much of the park's operation depends of volunteers, the park would suffer if volunteerism tapered off.“So much of our park would go without the special attention that comes from people getting involved in something that they felt passionately about,” Dixon said.The preservation fund, Dixon added, began with the same people who raised Osprey chicks during their reintroduction to the area in the 1980s and 1990s.“Where would that species be without those people who gave so much of their time and energy?” Dixon asked. “The same goes for so much of what we do today.”To sign-up as a volunteer for Sunday's brick cleaning, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/8050848a4a82aa3ff2-memorial.Visit the Moraine State Park website for a list of events and volunteer opportunities.