Please come out and join us for one of these free events! There is no need to pre-register unless otherwise noted. If you have a large group (more than five people) that is interested in attending a volunteer stewardship event, please contact our Workday Coordinator at least two weeks in advance of the event.
Please remember to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes suitable for uneven terrain. We provide tools, light snacks, water, and know-how at our Stewardship Workdays. Minors must either be accompanied by a guardian, or bring a signed release form (pdf) to attend workdays. For park directions, meet-up locations, and bus information check out this helpful guide.
May
getDowntown Commuter Challenge
Throughout May 2013
More Money, More Exercise, More Fun! Get MORE out of your commute! Never rode the bus before? Always wanted to try biking to work? Curious about carpooling? Check out the Commuter Challenge! The Commuter Challenge is your chance to try a sustainable commute during the month of May. You'll love participating in this fun and friendly competition between Ann Arbor area organizations. You and your organization could win prizes, awards and more! For more information or to register for the Commuter Challenge, visit www.getdowntown.org. For information on trails through the parks, which are often great walk-to-work shortcuts, check out www.a2gov.org/NAP
AADL Series Walk -
May 2, Thursday
Bird Hills Nature Area
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Please join Natural Area Preservation on a nature walk through Bird Hills Nature Area. On this walk we will observe and discuss native plants present in the spring, as well as restoration efforts which have occurred over the past few years at this site. This is part of a series of walks in partnership with Ann Arbor Public Library to give participants a more in-depth understanding of the natural areas and restoration work in the city. Meet in the Bird Hills parking lot off Newport Rd. just north of M-14.
Stewardship Workday
May 4, Saturday
Greenview Nature Area
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Bring friends and family out to lend a hand maintaining trails and removing invasive plants so the native plant species have a chance to thrive. Greenview, adjacent to Pioneer Woods, has many beautiful native trees, as well as a meadow, a pond, and even wetlands! Come on out and help NAP, neighbors, the Friends of Greenview, and the Ann Arbor Public Schools to preserve this public greenspace! Meet on Greenview Drive, in front of the Project Grow gardens, across from Barnard Road.
Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Minors must either be accompanied by a guardian or contact NAP in advance to obtain a release form if you would like older children to participate on their own. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. Free.
Stewardship Workday
May 5, Sunday
Furstenberg Native Garden
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Help us weed and preserve this native garden amidst the 38-acres of Furstenberg Nature Area, featuring some of the most diverse flora anywhere in Ann Arbor. Plus, you're certain to learn a lot about native plants, particularly spring wildflowers, from Park Steward and Master Gardener Aunita Erskine. Meet in the parking lot off Fuller Road, across from Huron High School.
Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Minors must either be accompanied by a guardian or contact NAP in advance to obtain a release form if you would like older children to participate on their own. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. Free.
Stewardship Workday
May 11, Saturday
Bluffs Nature Area
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Help remove garlic mustard, dame’s rocket, and other spring invasive plants. Also the potential for trail work. Meet at the entrance off of Sunset.
Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Minors must either be accompanied by a guardian or contact NAP in advance to obtain a release form if you would like older children to participate on their own. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. Free.
Stewards’ Circle: Perils of working in nature
May 14, Tuesday
Bruegger’s Bagels – 709 N University Ave
7:30 am to 8:30 am
Are you interested in learning more about how to care for our natural areas - woods, creeks, prairies, wetlands? Then join the Stewardship Network's Huron Arbor cluster for an informal discussion on a monthly topic with volunteer and professional land stewards, plus others interested in nature. Free and open to anyone interested. This month’s topic: Perils of working in nature: Stinging insects, west nile, poisonous plants, etc. For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org
Bird Walk
May 17, Friday
Gallup Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Free for all ages and family-friendly! Join City Ornithologist Dea Armstrong as she leads a walk to look for birds in the evening in Gallup Park and Furstenberg Nature Area. Bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not necessary. Meet at the paddleboat dock in Gallup near the canoe livery.
Spring Adopt-a-Park Kick-Off
May 18, Saturday
Various park locations
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Would you like to help beautify your neighborhood park and learn more about it? Would you enjoy planting a tree or some native flowers to make it more inviting? We rely on volunteers to support stewardship efforts in city parks. Training, tools, and support is provided. For more information contact the Adopt-A-Park coordinator at 734-794-6627 or Adopt-A-Park@a2gov.org, or visit us at www.a2gov.org/adopt-a-park.
Downtown Blooms Day
May 18, Saturday
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Help plant flowers throughout the downtown area! This is a fun opportunity for your whole family! Please meet the coordinators in Liberty Plaza between Liberty and S. Division. Free morning parking in the Library Lot Structure only --bring your parking slip for validation. Free t-shirt. Free pizza for lunch. To pre-register or for more information call 734.794.6000 extension 43112 or e-mail nstone@a2gov.org
June
Stewardship Workday – National Trails Day
June 1, Saturday
Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
America has over 200,000 miles of trails, and we hope you’ll agree that we have some of the best right here in Ann Arbor! As part of our annual participation in National Trails Day (www.americanhiking.org/ntd) we will be at Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area trimming back the overgrowth, and spreading woodchips to help keep the trails accessible. Bring your own plastic sleds to help with the hauling of woodchips. Meet in the Scarlett Middle School parking lot off Lorraine Street.
Stewardship Workday – National Trails Day
June 1, Saturday
Bandemer Nature Area
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Among the exceptional experiences available by traveling the trails at Bandemer Nature Area, is the opportunity to see the Cliff Swallow – a bird species uncommon to southern Michigan. Join us at our celebration of National Trails Day (www.americanhiking.org/ntd) as we work to maintain access to this and other exciting encounters. We will be trimming back the overgrowth, and spreading woodchips. Bring your own plastic sleds to help with the hauling of woodchips. We will meet at the main parking area off Barton Drive.
Stewardship Workday – National Trails Day
June 1, Saturday
Argo Nature Area
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
If you want to spend time close to the Huron River, some would tell you that the first place to go is Argo Nature Area. The trails offer close-up views of the river and the many habitats found there. Take part in the annual celebration of unique trails such as these, at our National Trails Day event (www.americanhiking.org/ntd). We will be trimming back the overgrowth, and spreading woodchips. Bring your own plastic sleds to help with the hauling of woodchips. Meet in the parking lot north of the Argo Canoe Livery, off Longshore Drive.
Bird Walk
June 1, Saturday
Wheeler Service Center
7:30 am to 9:30 am
Free and fun for all ages. Join City Ornithologist Dea Armstrong as she leads a walk to look for early summer birds at the old landfill site – a great birdwatching spot! Please come prepared to walk in fields with tall grasses. Bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not necessary. Meet in the small parking lot on the right off the main entrance to the Material Recovery Facility off of Platt Rd. just south of Ellsworth.
Stewardship Workday
June 2, Sunday
Marshall Nature Area
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Join in the effort to improve Marshall Nature Area by hand-pulling bittercress, dame’s rocket and other invasive plant species that threaten the beauty of this natural area. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road.
Bird Walk
June 8, Saturday
Gallup Park
7:30 am to 9:30 am
Free for all ages and family-friendly! Join City Ornithologist Dea Armstrong as she leads a walk to look for birds in the morning in Gallup Park and Furstenberg Nature Area. Bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not necessary. Meet at the paddleboat dock in Gallup near the canoe livery.
Stewards’ Circle: Summer Restoration Work
June 11, Tuesday
Bruegger’s Bagels – 709 N University Ave
7:30 am to 8:30 am
Do the terms reinforced drainage dip, social trail, backslope, McLeod, trail corridor, or tamper mean anything to you? Come chat with us about terms, tools, and techniques used in trail maintenance and construction. Then join the Stewardship Network's Huron Arbor cluster for an informal discussion on a monthly topic with volunteer and professional land stewards, plus others interested in nature. Free and open to anyone interested. This month’s topic: Summer Restoration Work. For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org
AADL Series Walk -
June 13, Thursday
Mary Beth Doyle Nature Area
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Join Natural Area Preservation on a nature walk through Mary Beth Doyle Nature Area. We will observe and discuss summer native plant species, as well as some exciting restoration efforts which have occurred over the past few years at this site. This is part of a series of walks in partnership with Ann Arbor Public Library to give participants a more in-depth understanding of the natural areas and restoration work in the city. Meet in the Mary Beth Doyle Nature Area parking lot on Packard Road.
Stewardship Workday
June 22, Saturday
Furstenberg Native Garden
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Help us weed and preserve this native garden amidst the 38-acres of Furstenberg Nature Area, featuring some of the most diverse flora anywhere in Ann Arbor. Plus, you're certain to learn a lot about native plants, particularly prairie plants, from Park Steward and Master Gardener Aunita Erskine. Meet in the parking lot off Fuller Road, across from Huron High School.
Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. This event is suitable for all ages but minors must be accompanied by a guardian or contact NAP in advance to obtain a release form. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. Free.
Stewardship Workday
June 29, Saturday
Barton Nature Area
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Help keep Barton beautiful by hand-pulling spotted knapweed, bittercress and other invasive plant species that threaten the native habitats of this natural area. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot at the corner of Huron River Drive and Bird Road.
July
Stewards’ Circle: Aquatic Invasives
July 9, Tuesday
Bruegger’s Bagels – 709 N University Ave
7:30 am to 8:30 am
Vast amounts of money, time, and energy are spent each year in efforts to battle non-native species that have invaded Michigan's lakes and rivers, and to prevent new invaders from taking hold. Species of concern include those that have become widespread in Michigan, such as zebra mussels and purple loosestrife; relatively new but aggressive invaders like starry stonewort (a plant-like "macroalgae") and quagga mussels (a relative of zebra mussels); and those that have not yet been found in Michigan but are knocking at our borders - like Asian carp and the aquatic plant Hydrilla. Join a discussion about the current and potential impacts these invaders can have on Michigan's lakes and streams, ongoing efforts to manage established invaders, and Early Detection and Rapid Response efforts that hold promise for limiting the impacts of future invaders. Then join the Stewardship Network's Huron Arbor cluster for an informal discussion on a monthly topic with volunteer and professional land stewards, plus others interested in nature. Free and open to anyone interested. This month’s topic: Aquatic Invasives. For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org
Stewardship Workday
July 13, Saturday
Molin Nature Area
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Enjoy a beautiful afternoon helping remove invasive plants from Molin Nature Area. Don’t forget to hike all the way in to view the spectacular bur oak. Meet at the end of Powell Rd on Columbia.
Huron River Day
July 14, Sunday
Gallup Park
12:00pm to 4:00 pm
Come celebrate the beautiful Huron River and participate in FREE family activities during Huron River Day at Gallup Park. This event will be full of fun activities for children, river exhibits, live music, animals, a guided canoe trip, fishing, and much more! Food will be available for purchase. All ages welcome! Ride your bike to the event, use the free valet bike parking, and receive a coupon for a free boat rental during the festival! For more information, call 734-662-9319 or go to www.a2gov.org/hrd.
Stewardship Workday
July 14, Sunday
Redbud Nature Area
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Join in the effort to remove invasive plants such as bittercress and Canada thistle. Redbud Nature Area is home to a beautiful prairie. Meet at the park entrance at the intersection of Parkwood Avenue and Jeanne Street.
August
Stewardship Workday
August 3, Saturday
Furstenberg Native Garden
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Help us weed and preserve this native garden amidst the 38-acres of Furstenberg Nature Area, featuring some of the most diverse flora anywhere in Ann Arbor. Plus, you're certain to learn a lot about native plants, particularly prairie plants, from Park Steward and Master Gardener Aunita Erskine. Meet in the parking lot off Fuller Road, across from Huron High School.
Stewardship Workday
August 10, Saturday
Black Pond Woods Nature Area
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Help improve the trails in Black Pond Woods Nature Area. We will be trimming back the overgrowth, and spreading woodchips to help keep the trails accessible.. Please bring your own plastic sleds to help with the hauling. Meet us at the Leslie Science & Nature Center parking lot (1831 Traver Road).
Stewards’ Circle: Woodland Restoration
August 13, Tuesday
Bruegger’s Bagels – 709 N University Ave
7:30 am to 8:30 am
Are you interested in learning more about how to care for our natural areas - woods, creeks, prairies, wetlands? Then join the Stewardship Network's Huron Arbor cluster for an informal discussion on a monthly topic with volunteer and professional land stewards, plus others interested in nature. Free and open to anyone interested. This month’s topic: Woodland Restoration. For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org
AADL Series Walk
August 15, Thursday
Dolph Nature Area
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Join Natural Area Preservation on a nature walk through Dolph Nature Area. We will observe and discuss late summer native plant species, as well as some exciting restoration efforts which have occurred over the past few years at this site. This is part of a series of walks in partnership with Ann Arbor Public Library to give participants a more in-depth understanding of the natural areas and restoration work in the city. Meet in the Dolph Nature Area parking lot.
Stewardship Workday
August 17, Saturday
Stapp Nature Area
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Help improve the trails in Stapp Nature Area. We will be trimming back the overgrowth, and spreading woodchips to help keep the trails accessible. Please bring your own plastic sleds to help with the hauling. Meet in the parking lot of the Traverwood library in the section nearest the park.
...Check back periodically for events happening later in the year also!
For more information about what each of these events may require, please read more about volunteering with NAP here.