The Civil War Trust is seeking volunteer help this spring to help with maintenance and restoration of numerous sites in Mississippi.

Thousands of volunteers across the country are anticipated to participate April 7 as Park Day brings help to 160 historic sites in 32 states and the District of Columbia, according to a Civil War Trust news release.

Help is needed chiefly with outdoor jobs that range from raking leaves and collecting trash to painting signs and gardening, according to the news release. Volunteers will receive T-shirts, and some sites will provide lunch or refreshments. A local historian may also be on hand to detail the park’s significance, according to the news release. 

Starting times vary at each site. Mississippi volunteers may sign up at the following locations:

• Beauvoir, the Jefferson Davis Home & Presidential Library, Biloxi, 9 a.m. Email: Kitsaa Stevens at kstevens@beauvoir.org. Volunteers will help build or repair fences, clear brush, landscape, paint, remove trash, and maintain trails. Water and snacks will be provided, and a tour of the main house and the library will be available for attendees.

• Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi District, Ocean Springs, 8:30 a.m. Email: Christopher Bramblett at Christopher_Bramblett@nps.gov. Help is needed installing markers and interpretive signs, landscaping, panting, and picking up trash. Volunteers can also participate in a tour of Historic Fort Massachusetts on West Ship Island. Water will be provided.

• Mississippi’s Final Stands Interpretive Center and Battlefields, Baldwyn, 9 a.m. Email: Edwina Carpenter at bcr.edwina@gmail.com Staff will need help with landscaping, repairing fences, removing debris, and maintaining trails. Water will be provided.

• Natchez National Historical Park: Fort Rosalie, Natchez, 9:00 a.m. Email: David Slay at david_slay@nps.gov. Volunteers will help with painting, removing trash, clearing brush, and planting flowers. Water and snacks will be provided, and there will be a ranger talk on Fort Rosalie at noon.

• Raymond Battlefield, Raymond, 9 a.m. Email: Isla Tullos at mayor@raymondms.com. Help is needed cleaning up signage, picking up trash, planting, and maintaining trails. A local historian will also give updates on the site’s preservation as well as the May 12, 1863 battle. A meal will be provided.

• Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, 9 a.m. Contact: Scott Babinowich at scott_babinowich@nps.gov. Staff will need help painting, clearing brush, installing interpretive signs, maintaining trails, and tidying indoor areas. Water and snacks will be provided.

The Civil War Trust is a national nonprofit land preservation organization devoted to the protection of America’s hallowed battlegrounds. It saves the battlefields of the Civil War, the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, and educates the public. Learn more at Civilwar.org.

For a list of participating Park Day sites and more information, visit Civilwar.org/parkday. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in Park Day online using #ParkDay2018.