Please come out and join us for one of these free events! NAP is closely monitoring recommendations from city and other health officials, and adapting workday protocols accordingly.
Please remember to dress for the weather and wear shoes suitable for uneven terrain and working off-trail. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Please stay home if you're feeling ill.
September
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, September 18, 2021, 9 a.m. – noon
Foxfire West Park
Foxfire West is mostly wetland, providing habitat for unique and sometimes rare species. The wetlands here include a fen—a peat-accumulating wetland fed by mineral-rich ground or surface water. Invasive shrubs threaten wetlands by crowding out the native flora and fauna that make this natural area special. Join us to cut and remove buckthorn and honeysuckle. Meet at the corner of Hickory Point Dr. and Indian Creek
Cir. (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Foxfir091821)
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, September 19, 2021, 9 a.m. – noon
Leslie Woods Nature Area
Leslie Woods is a historically intact woodland that remains a well-functioning ecosystem. In other words, Leslie Woods is one place you can visit to get a sense of what most of the Ann Arbor area looked like pre-European settlement. Leslie Park Golf Course, owned and operated by the City of Ann Arbor, borders this nature area. Come out to cut and remove invasive shrubs and help keep the ecosystem functioning well. Meet us at the park entrance at the north end of
Upland Drive, north of Plymouth Road (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Leslie091921)
Stewardship Workday
National Public Lands Day
Saturday, September 25, 2021, 9 a.m. – noon
Cedar Bend Nature Area
#NationalPublicLandsDay is the nation's largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994, this celebration brings out thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country. NPLD is special because it provides all lovers of the environment—old and new—an opportunity to show our appreciation for these precious natural resources through stewardship. Join us at Cedar Bend on NPLD to cut and remove invasive shrubs. #NPLD #publiclands Meet us at the Island Park parking lot, at the end of
Island Dr. (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/CedarB092521)
Stewardship Workday
World Rivers Day
Sunday, September 26, 2021, 1 – 4 p.m.
Argo Nature Area
World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world's waterways—NAP and millions of people in more than 100 countries will participate in World Rivers Day this year. Join us to cut and remove invasive shrubs that threaten the health of our waterways by competing with native plants. Meet on Longshore Dr. at Amherst Ave (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Argo092621)
October
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, October 2, 2021
9 a.m. – noon
Dolph Nature Area
Ann Arbor's park system contains several interesting varieties of landforms created by glaciers around 10,000 years ago, including the two kettle lakes at Dolph Park. Unique plants and animals can be found at First and Second Sister Lakes and their adjoining wetlands and marshes—First Sister Lake even hosts the only bog in the park system. At this workday we will be caring for the herp habitat at Dolph by carefully cutting invasive shrubs and installing “buckthorn baggies." “Buckthorn baggies" are thick black plastic sheets that must be carefully placed around the stump after the invasive shrub has been removed. This technique is time consuming, but if done correctly, can reduce the need to use herbicides. Please join us to help with this experimental technique. Meet us at the Dolph parking lot off Wagner Rd. (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Dolph100221)
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, October 2, 2021
1-4 p.m.
Fritz Park
Neighbors and friends of Fritz Park have made amazing headway removing dense and unsightly thickets of the invasive shrub buckthorn and opening up the forest floor to make way for native wildflowers like black snakeroot and white baneberry. We will be keeping up the momentum of conservation by cutting and removing invasive shrubs. Meet us at the park entrance at the corner of Russett Rd. and Hewett Rd. (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Fritz100221)
Stewardship Workday
World Habitat Day
Sunday, October 3, 2021
9 a.m. – noon
Braun Nature Area
In 1985 the United Nations designated #WorldHabitatDay to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter, as well as to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. NAP works to insure the future of the human habitat through conservation efforts that protect and restore natural areas—efforts that contribute to the health of the local ecosystem while fostering an environmental ethic in the community. Join us in observing #WorldHabitatDay by removing invasive shrubs at Braun Nature Area. Meet us at the park entrance on Chalmers Drive about ½ mile north of Washtenaw Avenue (map) (look for the city truck and friendly NAP staff waiting to greet you). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Braun100321)
Annual Volunteer Appreciation Gathering
Sunday, October 3, 2021
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Olson Park Shelter
Drop in for our annual Volunteer Appreciation event!! We'd love to have you join us on Sunday, October 3, for a casual gathering to celebrate your hard work and stewardship. We will have some refreshments ready for you, as well as fun activities like guided walks, games, informal storytelling, and lots of time to chat, catch-up, and celebrate! Hope to see you there! Register for this event
here. (
https://tinyurl.com/NAPVolunteers2021)
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, October 9, 2021
1-4 p.m.
Mary Beth Doyle Park
You're invited to spend an afternoon with us and some extremely dedicated volunteers at the beloved Mary Beth Doyle Park. Learn about and support the diverse and delightful plants and animals that have been given the chance to thrive thanks to the concerted efforts of local agencies and private citizens like you. At this workday we will be cutting and removing invasive shrubs and collecting seeds from native plants in the park. Meet us at the end of Verle Rd., two blocks west of Platt Rd. (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Doyle100921)
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, October 10
1-4pm
Stapp Nature Area
Help honor late environmental activist, Dr. William B. Stapp, by removing invasive shrubs at Stapp Nature Area. Dr. Stapp helped plan the first ever Earth Day in 1970 in an effort to think globally and act locally. Recognized for his contributions to environmental education in Ann Arbor Public Schools, Dr. Stapp understood the importance of community outreach in the fight for climate justice. Together, let's continue restoration of Stapp's oak-hickory forest – and bring your friends and family! Please meet us at the park entrance on Traverwood Dr., just south of the Ann Arbor District Library (map).
Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Stapp101021)
Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (Followed by a happy hour nearby!)
Veterans Memorial Park Meeting Room
Introducing a whole new Stewards Circle! For the last 10 years, the Huron Arbor Cluster of the Stewardship Network has been gathering monthly with a local expert to answer your questions; now it's time to flip the script! You are invited to join us at the newly renovated Veterans Memorial Park Meeting Room to share your experiences and learn from your peers. This month's topic: planning resources. “What methods do you use to you keep track of your restoration work? Are there any tools for planning that have helped you? What doesn't work?" After the discussion group, join us for a happy hour just up the street at HOMES Brewery to further connect with other land stewards! For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org.
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, October 16, 2021
1-4 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area
This large park (almost 90 acres) is next to natural areas owned by the County and the University of Michigan. The expansive area of natural habitat makes each part of it that much more valuable for conservation. Join us for two conservation activities: collecting seeds from native plants and cutting and removing invasive shrubs. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Rd., north of Plymouth Rd. (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Marshall101621)
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, October 17, 2021
9 a.m. – noon
Bird Hills Nature Area
Autumn in Bird Hills Nature Area is a delight! The picturesque trees and the rolling hills make it a wonderful place to spend a morning. Join us to maintain this natural beauty by cutting invasive shrubs. Meet us at the Newport Rd. parking lot, just north of M-14 (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/BirdHills101721)
Stewardship Workday
Make a Difference Day
Saturday, October 23, 2021
9 a.m. – noon
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
Join us for #MakeaDifferenceDay—the annual holiday that encourages everyone to engage in community service activities. We will be at Kuebler Langford to cut and remove invasive shrubs threatening the native flora and fauna that serve the larger ecosystem we all rely upon. #MDDay Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Dr., north of Sunset Rd. (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Kuebler102321)
Stewardship Workday
Make a Difference Day
Saturday, October 23, 2021
1-4 p.m.
Miller Nature Area
In Miller Nature Area we see an area with great disturbance history—logging in the 1800s, farming in the early 20th century, gravel mining after 1950—as well as a more recent history of trash, yard waste, and other dumping. We also see an astonishing recovery—mature oaks and hickory, and thriving native jewelweed—after these disturbances, thanks to the dedication of Park Stewards and other volunteers who committed themselves to making a difference. We will be continuing the recovery efforts on #MakeaDifferenceDay by cutting and removing invasive shrubs. #MDDay Meet us at the Arborview Blvd. entrance, just east of Wildwood Ave. (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Miller102321)
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, October 24, 2021
1 – 4 p.m.
Botsford Nature Area
A lovely and peaceful setting throughout the year, Botsford Nature Area is a great place to spend time getting to know the native plants of the area. The oak-hickory woodland contains exceptionally diverse flora that need our help to protect and maintain their habitat from non-native plants. At this workday we will be cutting invasive shrubs and collecting native seeds. Meet at the Miller Rd. parking area north of M-14, just past the sign for Botsford Recreational Preserve (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Botsford102421)
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, October 30, 2021
1-4 p.m.
Gallup Park
This high-quality sedge meadow is composed of perennial forbs, grass, and sedge mixtures that grow in saturated soils. The native wetland plants—some quite rare—need help gaining a strong foothold to fend off invasion by exotic plants. Help NAP protect the natural diversity in this and other parks by removing invasive brush and collecting native seeds to be dispersed as part of future conservation efforts. Meet in the Gallup Park parking lot, just over the wooden bridge (map). Pre-registration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register here. (http://tinyurl.com/Gallup103021)
For more information about what each of these events may require, please read more about volunteering with NAP
here.
