Archived News Release: March 3, 2015 - 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 March are listed below. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP. Volunteers are asked to please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes to workday events. Workday events are 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. These events are free.
Tuesday, April 7, 7–8:30 p.m.
Gallup Canoe Livery, Eli Gallup Meeting Room, 3000 Fuller Road
This is the night to sign up for your favorite park and pick up materials for our annual survey. Some experience in bird identification is necessary. City Ornithologist Dea Armstrong will also report on the 2014 data and survey highlights. Please register by April 3. For more information or to register call NAP 734.794.6627, or send us an email at [email protected].
Stewards' Circle: Challenges in Today's Environment
Tuesday, April 14, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Bruegger's Bagels, 709 N. University Ave.
Join the Stewardship Network's Huron Arbor cluster for a monthly informal discussion. This month's topic: Climate change, invasive species and landscape fragmentation. These are all interconnected challenges that form a new environment under which plants are growing. In order for restoration to be successful, plant communities have to be able to reproduce (independently). In this meeting, stewards will talk about what they have found successful when establishing new species, especially trees. What methods are most successful? Which species are most appropriate to plant in the face of these challenges? Free and open to anyone interested. For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org
Turtle Steward Kick Off and Training
Saturday, April 18, 2:30–5:30 p.m.
Gallup Canoe Livery, Eli Gallup Meeting Room, 3000 Fuller Road
Learn all about Michigan's many turtles! We'll cover turtle species identification, turtle nest monitoring, and ways to report your turtle observations. Participants should be dressed for classroom and possible field training. Please register by April 16. For more information or to register, call NAP 734.794.6627, or email [email protected].
Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m.–noon
Wurster Park
Bring friends and family out to lend a hand combating garlic mustard, sprucing up the park, and helping to spread woodchips. Bring along your plastic sleds to help with the woodchip hauling. We'll also be working to maintain Wurster Park's edible garden, the only miniature fruit orchard in a city park! While you are here, make sure to catch a glimpse of Wurster's own champion oak tree! Please meet at the cul-de-sac on Edgewood Place off of West Davis Avenue. 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. Free.
Sunday, April 19, noon–4 p.m.
Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road
This free, family-friendly event features displays from local environmental, non-profit and governmental organizations; live animal exhibits; hands-on activities; live entertainment; and green building features. This event is focused on community education and youth activities. All ages welcome. For more information please visit www.a2gov.org/green or www.lesliesnc.org/a2earthday.
Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m.–noon
Lakewood Nature Area
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. Meet us at the Lakewood Elementary School parking lot, 344 Gralake Ave. 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. Free.
Saturday, April 25, 1–4 p.m.
Hollywood Park
Come celebrate Arbor Day in this rich and diverse mesic forest! Bring friends and family out to lend a hand combating garlic mustard and other spring invasive plants that threaten the growth of native foliage. Please meet at Sequoia Parkway near the intersection of Archwood Drive. 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. Free.
Saturday, April 25, 1–4 p.m.
Mary Beth Doyle Park
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! Please meet at the end of Verle Avenue, west off of Platt Road between Packard and Ellsworth. 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. Free.
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