Archived News Release: April 24, 2015 - The City of Ann Arbor will celebrate Arbor Day this year with several special events. The Natural Area Preservation program is hosting stewardship workdays at three Ann Arbor parks and natural areas: Lakewood Nature Area, Hollywood Park and Mary Beth Doyle Park; and the Elizabeth Dean Fund Committee will celebrate the holiday with a tree planting at the Elizabeth Dean Grove.
From the Arbor Day Foundation: "Arbor Day is an annual observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. As a formal holiday, it was first observed in 1872, in Nebraska, but tree planting festivals are as old as civilization. The tree has appeared throughout history and literature as the symbol of life." Ann Arbor is home to hundreds of thousands of trees which create habitat, and serve as part of the ecological framework for the diverse flora and fauna that can be found all over the city, not just in the parks.
In celebration of this important resource and the city's 34th year being designated as a Tree City USA, the city invites volunteers to take part in the following opportunities:
Lakewood Nature Area – Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to noon.
Meet at Lakewood Elementary School parking lot, 344 Graklake Ave. Come celebrate Arbor Day by removing invasive garlic mustard, dame's rocket and other spring invasive plants from this 13-acre woodland. We will also be spreading woodchips to help keep the trails accessible for park users. Bring along your plastic sleds to help with the woodchip hauling.
Mary Beth Doyle Park – Saturday, April 25, 1 to 4 p.m.
Meet at the end of Verle Avenue, west off Platt Road between Packard and Ellsworth. Tremendous progress has been made to increase the native habitat in this large preserve — help continue this effort! Lend a hand planting native shrubs and pulling invasive garlic mustard. Native plants provide essential food and shelter for many local animals, including butterflies, birds and turtles!
Barton Nature Area – Saturday, April 25, 1 to 4 p.m.
Meet at Sequoia Parkway near the intersection of Archwood Drive. Bring friends and family out to lend a hand combating garlic mustard and other spring invasive plants that threaten the growth of native foliage in this rich and diverse forest.
Elizabeth Dean Grove – Tuesday, May 12, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Meet at the Elizabeth Dean Grove – off Geddes Road just east of Huron Parkway. Join the Elizabeth Dean Fund Committee to celebrate Arbor Day with tree plantings in the Elizabeth Dean Grove.
For all volunteer opportunities, please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. All minors must present a completed release form, and should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks and know-how provided. Stewardship workday events are free.
No RSVP is necessary for these Arbor Day events. If you have questions about the stewardship workdays, or if you'd like to volunteer with your group of 10 or more, please contact NAP at 734.794.6627 or [email protected]. If you have questions about the Elizabeth Dean Grove Arbor Day event, please contact Kerry Gray at [email protected] or 734.794.6430 ext. 43703.
# # # # #
