Archived News Release: May 4, 2016 - City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) works to protect and restore Ann Arbor's natural areas and to foster an environmental ethic among its citizens. This involves conducting plant and animal inventories, ecological monitoring, and stewardship projects in Ann Arbor parks. These tasks are performed by both staff and volunteers. Volunteer opportunities coming up in June are listed below. All events are free. For stewardship workdays, 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 are provided. For more information about NAP, visit
www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Nature Walk with Ann Arbor District Library
Thursday, June 2, 7–8:30 p.m.
Black Pond Woods Nature Area
Black Pond Woods Nature Area is a 34-acre woodland located north of Leslie Science & Nature Center (LSNC). There is a small, vernal pond in the woods with a floating walk over its dark water. The nature area features several distinctive habitats, including a wet meadow. The raptor cages at LSNC make visiting this park a special treat!
AADL and Natural Area Preservation have formed a partnership to offer a monthly nature walk during the summer and fall. For this one, we'll meet in the LSNC parking lot. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring water and bug spray if desired. AADL will have some of their science tools available to use on the walk, too!
Saturday, June 4, 7:30– 9:30 a.m.
Wheeler Service Center
Free and family-friendly! The Wheeler Service Center is the only place within the city where grassland birds like bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks nest. We'll observe them, and look for waterfowl on the pond. Please come prepared to walk in fields of tall grass. Bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not necessary. Use the Platt Road entrance and look for us in the small parking lot at the
first turnoff on the right.
Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m.–noon
Bird Hills Nature Area
The 3 miles of trails in Bird Hills give some lovely views of the Huron River from the city's largest nature area. Volunteers are needed to help maintain the trails throughout the park. Join us at the Bird Road entrance on the north side of this park, west of Huron River Drive. There is limited parking at the entrance, but more nearby at the Barton Nature Area entrance on Huron River Drive.
Saturday, June 4, 1–4 p.m.
Ruthven Nature Area
There's a new trail at this park! We've made progress restoring native wildflowers here, and now they are easier to get to. Help continue this effort by removing invasive plants and working to maintain the trails. Please meet at the Gallup Park boat launch parking lot, on the southeast corner of Huron Parkway and Geddes Road.
Sunday, June 5, 1–4 p.m.
Black Pond Woods Nature Area
Come on out to experience a woods filled with oak, hickory, maple and dogwood. Volunteers will work on trails and remove invasive garlic mustard. This is a great park to bring families out to enjoy a day outdoors. Please meet at the Tibbits Court entrance to the park.
Friday, June 10, 6–9 p.m.
Main Street between Huron Street and William Street
The City of Ann Arbor mayor's office is hosting the 16th annual Mayor's Green Fair to celebrate our community's environmental leadership as exhibited by citizens, nonprofits, government and businesses. Ann Arbor's downtown Main Street will be closed to car traffic between Huron and William streets, remaining open for pedestrians, Green Fair guests and displays of environmental information, "green" products, live music and general enjoyment of the urban outdoor environment. Information, entertainment and hands-on activities for all ages will be provided.
Saturday, June 11, 9 a.m.–noon
Bluffs Nature Area
Come on out for Get Outdoors Day! Volunteers are needed to remove invasive plants that provide no food for wildlife and crowd out native wildflowers. This park offers some interesting views of the river, and has a small hidden prairie. Meet at the park entrance on Sunset Road.
Saturday, June 11, 1–4 p.m.
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
Join families across the country and get outdoors on National Get Outdoors Day. At this workday volunteers will remove spotted knapweed and other invasive plant species to make more room for the rich diversity of wildflowers here. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive.
Tuesday, June 14, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Bruegger's Bagels, 709 N. University Ave.
Are you interested in learning more about how to care for our natural areas? 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! This month's topic: Join staff and representatives of the Huron-Arbor Cluster for a lively discussion of ongoing programs and new opportunities at the Stewardship Network. Topics will range from the Garlic Mustard Challenge to new TSN staff in clusters across the Great Lakes and New England!
Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m.–noon
Argo Nature Area
Bring family and friends out to remove invasive weeds, opening space for tree seedlings and native wildflowers. The oak-hickory woods here overlook Argo Pond, and owls and hawks nest in the trees. Meet in the parking lot north of the Argo Canoe Livery, off Longshore Drive.
Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m.–noon
Furstenberg Nature Area
Park Steward and Master Gardener Aunita Erskine will lead this workday, maintaining the native garden at this park. The garden is a living demonstration of the beauty of native wildflowers, both a help for identification and an example of how they can be used in landscaping. Please meet in the parking lot off of Fuller Road.
Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m.–noon
Furstenberg Nature Area
This park along the river has lots of great ecological diversity, including restored prairie and oak savannah. Help is needed to protect it from invasive weeds that crowd out natives and provide little food for wildlife. Please meet in the parking lot off of Fuller Road.
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