APRIL

Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, April 10
Bruegger's Bagels, 709 N University Ave
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 am
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! For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org.
This month's topic: Simplifying field work
Washtenaw County staff have found a new way to monitor and assess a wetland restoration project at Trinkle Marsh Preserve. Collector is a surprisingly easy program that gives staff a lot of information to use in, and understand, the greater landscape. Join us to discuss how this technology can be useful in your restoration project.

Breeding Bird Survey Kickoff & Training
Thursday, April 12, 7 to 9 pm
Natural Area Preservation Office, 3875 East Huron River Drive
Learn how to survey for breeding birds in Ann Arbor's parks! Some experience in bird identification is necessary. Sign up for your favorite park, pick up survey materials, and learn about the 2017 survey results. Please register by April 9. For more information, or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send us an email at NAP@a2gov.org.

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, April 14
The Ponds Park
1 to 4 p.m.
Spring is here! Get outdoors and volunteer! Last year volunteers helped us build a new trail in this park. Now we need help removing invasive species such as garlic mustard to improve the habitat for wildlife. Meet at the park entrance at the corner of Emerald Avenue and Candlewick Drive. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, April 21
Cedar Bend Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Cedar Bend is Ann Arbor's oldest park, planned in the early 1900s as a place to escape to nature. Many native wildflowers such as may-apple and jack-in-the-pulpit are facing competition from non-native species such as garlic mustard and dame's rocket. Help NAP remove invasives and restore this historic natural area. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Island Park parking lot, at the end of Island Drive. All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Turtle Steward Kickoff & Training
Saturday, April 21
Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave
10 a.m. to noon
At least 6 species of turtles live and nest in the city, maybe more! Help us maintain and protect nest sites, monitor populations, and look for turtles in habitats along the river and creeks! We'll cover species identification, nest maintenance and monitoring, and how to report your turtle observations. This training will be indoors. Please register by April 19. For more information or to register call NAP 734.794.6627, or send us an email at NAP@a2gov.org.

Stewardship Workday- Earth Day
Sunday, April 22
Maryfield Wildwood Park
9 a.m. to noon
Maryfield Wildwood is a neighborhood park featuring a wooded ravine. In the spring the redbud trees bloom with bright pink blossoms. Celebrate Earth Day with NAP by pulling invasive species, allowing more native plants to grow. Join us at the intersection of Linwood and Wilton Streets. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday- Earth Day
Sunday, April 22
Miller Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Get outside and protect biodiversity on Earth Day! Despite this park's history of logging, farming, and gravel mining, progress has been made to restore its natural beauty. Join NAP to continue the restoration process by pulling invasive dame's rocket and garlic mustard. Meet at the park entrance on Arborview Boulevard, just east of Wildwood Avenue. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival
Sunday, April 22
Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road
Noon to 4 p.m.
Join us to celebrate the Earth! This free, family-friendly event features displays from local environmental, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. For more information please visit www.lesliesnc.org/a2earthday.

Nature Walk with AADL
Thursday, April 26
Mary Beth Doyle Park
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Mary Beth Doyle Park is an 81-acre park with both paved and unpaved trails. NAP staff will lead a family-friendly nature walk through the woods and around the pond. Meet us at the parking lot off Packard Road, across from Easy Street, or park at the Malletts Creek branch library and walk one-half mile east on the south side of Eisenhower and Packard. Wear comfortable clothes and bring water if desired. The nature walks are a collaboration between the AADL and Natural Area Preservation that take place once a month April through September. Some of AADL's Science Tools will be available for use during the walk!

Stewardship Workday- Arbor Day
Saturday, April 28
Mary Beth Doyle Park
9 a.m. to noon
The wetland at Mary Beth Doyle Park is a great place to watch for migratory birds. The woodland is filled with spring wildflowers such as trillium and trout lilies. On Arbor Day, join NAP to plant shrubs along Mallets Creek and increase the native habitat in this beautiful park. Meet at the parking lot off Packard Road, across from Easy Street. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday- Arbor Day
Saturday, April 28
Molin Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Park stewards have been hard at work in this 7-acre neighborhood park. They need your help to remove spring invasives to allow the native plants to thrive. Celebrate Arbor Day with us by restoring native habitat. Meet at the park entrance at the intersection of Powell Avenue and Columbia Avenue. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, April 29
Marshall Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area is part of a large undeveloped corridor in northeast Ann Arbor. The gently sloping hillsides are rich with wildflowers. This beautiful area is threatened by non-native species such as garlic mustard. Help us preserve biodiversity by pulling invasive plants. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

MAY

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, May 5
Lakewood Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Lakewood Nature Area is a 7-acre woodland, with many spring wildflowers. Connecting to Dolph Nature Area, it is an excellent place to birdwatch. Help us preserve its habitat by removing invasive plants such as garlic mustard and dame’s rocket. Meet us in the Lakewood Elementary School parking lot off Gralake Aveune. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, May 5
Folkstone Park
1 to 4 p.m.
This park is an excellent example of the oak-hickory forests that once dominated this area. In the spring the forest floor is covered with rue-anemone. Help NAP maintain this woodland habitat by pulling invasive species. Meet at the park entrance at the north end of Folkstone Court. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, May 5
Dolph Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
With over 140 species of birds recorded here, Dolph Nature Area is considered the premier birding spot for spring migrants. The diverse ecosystems here include lakes, forest, and shrubland. However, non-native plants threaten the natural biodiversity. Help NAP remove invasive species and maintain the quality habitat for birds and other wildlife. Meet at the parking lot off Wagner Road. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, May 6
Oakridge Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Oakridge Nature Area is 8 acres of fen and oak-hickory woods. Over 100 native species are found in this small nature area. Join us to preserve this valuable piece of wildlife habitat by pulling invasive plants. Meet us in the southwest corner of the intersection of Glazier Way and Huron Parkway. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday- National Public Gardens Day
Sunday, May 6
Furstenberg Native Garden
1 to 4 p.m.
Ready to do some spring gardening? Join us at this special workday in the Furstenberg native garden in honor of National Public Gardens Day. Help create a beautiful display of Michigan’s biodiversity while spending time in one of Ann Arbor’s beautiful parks. Meet in the parking lot off of Fuller Road. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, May 6
Furstenberg Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Furstenberg Nature Area was acquired by the city in 1971 in order to preserve and protect the Huron River valley. Extensive work has been done to restore the healthy oak-savanna here. Help us pull invasive plants in order to continue to preserve and protect the habitat in this riverside park. Meet in the parking lot off of Fuller Road. Please wear long plants and closed-toe shoes. All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewards’ Circle
Tuesday, May 8
Bruegger's Bagels, 709 N University Ave
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 am
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! For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org.
This month’s topic: Japanese stiltgrass
Japanese stiltgrass is regarded as one of the country’s top invasives and was discovered in Michigan in 2017. Come learn how it was detected, documented, and destroyed in Scio Township, and how you can be on the lookout for it on your land.

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, May 12
Sunset Brooks Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
This park in the Water Hill neighborhood is 8 acres of oak-hickory woodland. In the spring, the dogwood grove is a beautiful place to take a walk. Help pull invasive species like garlic mustard to make room for spring wildflowers. Meet us at the park entrance on Sunset Road, at the end of Brooks Street. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, May 12
Bird Hills Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Bird Hills Nature Area was the site of NAP’s first workday in 1994 and we’ve been working there ever since. The hilly terrain features several different plant communities. Join the effort to restore this previously logged and farmed woodland by removing invasive species such as garlic mustard. Meet at the entrance off of Beechwood Drive. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, May 12
Bluffs Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Hikers and mountain bikers alike enjoy the trails in this 39-acre park. The steep wooded slopes support a rich diversity of wildlife. Help NAP remove invasive species that threaten this habitat.
Meet us at the entrance on Sunset Road near Wildt Street. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Butterfly Survey Kickoff & Training
Saturday, May 12
NAP Office, 3875 E. Huron River Drive
1:30 to 4 p.m.
Ann Arbor is home to 80 species of butterflies! Come learn our survey protocol and help us search our prairies and woodlands for these beautiful insects throughout the spring and summer. No experience in butterfly identification is necessary, though it is helpful. Space is extremely limited, so please register by May 9 to NAP@a2gov.org, or call us at 734.794.6627.

Bird Walk
Friday, May 18
Gallup Park
6 to 8 p.m.
Take an evening walk in Gallup Park and Furstenberg Nature Area with NAP Ornithologist, Juliet Berger. We’ll look for the Baltimore Orioles that nest there, and see many other birds along the river as well. Bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not necessary. Meet at the Gallup Canoe Livery, 3000 Fuller Road.

20th Annual Garlic Mustard Weed Out Day
Saturday, May 19
9 a.m. to noon
Garlic Mustard Weed-Out Day is an annual tradition! On one day, volunteers hand-pull invasive garlic mustard in natural areas all around Ann Arbor! Garlic mustard is an aggressive invasive plant which can quickly crowd out native plant species and decrease natural diversity in the woods. Identifying and pulling garlic mustard is fun and easy for all ages, making this a great volunteer opportunity for families. 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.
Participating parks:
• Huron Hills Golf Course Woods- Meet us on Hunting Valley off Provincial Drive.
• White Oak - Meet at the park entrance on White Oak Drive.
• Hannah - Meet at the west end of Bath Street, off 7th, just north of Huron.
• Black Pond Woods – Meet us on Tibbits Ct, off of Pontiac Trail.
• Huron Parkway- Meet at the Park Steward’s house- 3470 Woodland Road, off East Huron River Drive.
• Argo- Meet in the parking lot north of the Argo Canoe Livery, off Longshore Drive.

Huron River Day
Sunday, May 20
Gallup Park
1 to 5 p.m.
Enjoy the beautiful Huron River with free family-friendly river activities. Listen to live music, eat delicious local food, and paddle a boat with $5 canoe and kayak rentals (free if you ride your bike!) For more information visit www.a2gov.org/hrd.
 
Nature Walk with AADL
Thursday, May 31
Bird Hills Nature Area
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Bird Hills Nature Area is our largest park. Join NAP staff on a family-friendly walk through these hilly woods to learn more about the natural features of this park. Meet at the Newport Road entrance, just north of M-14. Wear comfortable clothes and bring water if desired. The nature walks are a collaboration between the AADL and Natural Area Preservation that take place once a month April through September. Some of AADL’s Science Tools will be available for use during the walk!

JUNE

Bird Walk
Friday, June 1
Argo Nature Area
9 to 11 a.m.
Join Natural Area Preservation's Ornithologist, Juliet Berger, for a bird walk around the Argo Cascades and Argo Bluffs, to celebrate the River Hop. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Breeding birds will be settling down to nest, and we hope to see and will definitely hear a wide variety of them, at this beautiful nature area along the Huron River. Meet at the canoe livery.

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, June 2
Leslie Woods Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
This woodland has some of the largest oaks in the Ann Arbor parks, plus a very diverse understory. The plants here are threatened by invasive species like garlic mustard. Join us to remove non-native species and allow native plants to flourish. Meet us at the park entrance at the north end of Upland Drive, north of Plymouth Road. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Stewardship Workday- National Trails Day
Saturday, June 2
Stapp Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Stapp Nature Area boasts a large diversity of trees in a small area. It's a great place to go for a walk and observe wildlife and wildflowers. Come celebrate National Trails Day and help us build a new entrance trail. Meet at the park sign at the corner of Huron Parkway and Tuebingen Parkway. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Stewardship Workday- National Trails Day
Sunday, June 3
Bird Hills Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Calling all trail advocates! Bird Hills is a favorite hiking destination of many, with 3.7 miles of hilly trails. Join us on National Trails Day to repair some of these trails so visitors can continue to enjoy their hikes. Meet at the Beechwood entrance off of Sunset Road. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.  

Stewardship Workday- National Trails Day
Sunday, June 3
Brokaw Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Brokaw Nature Area is one of Ann Arbor's newest parks. It needs some trails so visitors can enjoy its beauty. Celebrate National Trails day with us by creating some trails on this new property. Meet at the park entrance at 3013 W. Huron River Drive. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Mayor's Green Fair
Friday, June 8
Main Street between Huron Street and William Street
6 to 9 p.m.
The City of Ann Arbor Mayor's office is hosting the 18th 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 will enjoy displays of environmental information, "green" products, live music and the general urban outdoor environment. Information, entertainment and hands-on activities for all ages will be provided. Come visit us at NAP's table!

Bird Walk
Saturday, June 9
Wheeler Service Center, 4150 Platt Road
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
The fields at Wheeler Service Center are home to uncommon grassland birds, including Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks. We'll find these and other grassland species 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 required. Use the Platt Road entrance and look for us in the small parking lot at the first turnoff on the right. 

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, June 9
Onder Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Onder Nature Area is a small park, but part of a larger green corridor on the north side. It has a variety of both wet and dry habitats. Join us to pull non-native species such as dame's rocket, that threaten these habitats. Meet at the intersection of Hilldale Drive and Brookside Drive. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, June 10
Fuller Park
1 to 4 p.m.
The natural area at Fuller Park is a floodplain forest with water-loving trees such as sycamores. Wildflowers like violets and bloodroot are also abundant. Help us pull invasive garlic mustard and dame's rocket to protect this special community. Meet in the gravel Island Park parking lot at the end of Island drive. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, June 12
Bruegger's Bagels, 709 N University Ave
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 am
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! For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org.
This month's topic: Soil Microbes and restoring prairies
Restoring prairie to former agricultural land in Michigan is a widespread practice, but restored communities rarely resemble the communities in remnant prairies. Altered microbial communities may explain why. Join us to discover whether we can use microbes from remnant prairies to help desirable plant species thrive in restored prairies.  

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, June 16
Furstenberg Native Garden
9 a.m. to noon
Do you love native plants? The Furstenberg native garden showcases a variety of beautiful Michigan natives. Lend a hand weeding the garden and learn more about native gardening. Meet in the parking lot off of Fuller Road. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, June 16
Riverwood Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
This small park is home to many native plant species including beautiful flowering dogwoods. Non-native plants like garlic mustard threaten these native species. Help us maintain the quality of this woodland by pulling these exotic plants. Meet us near the park sign on Riverwood Drive, just west of Newport Road. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Stewardship Workday- Pollinator Week
Saturday, June 23
Barton Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Pollinator Week is an international celebration of bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and beetles! Barton Nature Area is one of the top spots to see butterflies in Ann Arbor. Help us protect their habitat by pulling invasive species in the prairie. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot just north of Bird Road on Huron River Drive. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Stewardship Workday- Pollinator Week
Saturday, June 23
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Love butterflies? This nature area is home to 35 species! Join us during Pollinator Week to maintain butterfly habitat by pulling non-native species around the park. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Stewardship Workday- Pollinator Week
Sunday, June 24
Bluffs Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
This once-disturbed site is now home to a prairie and many butterflies and insects. Celebrate Pollinator Week with NAP by pulling invasive species that threaten this precious pollinator habitat. Meet at the entrance on Sunset Road, near Wildt Street. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Stewardship Workday- Pollinator Week
Sunday, June 24
Olson Park
1 to 4 p.m.
Celebrate Pollinator Week by helping butterflies and other insect pollinators! This park is home to the city's largest population of Wild Indigo Duskywing butterflies, a rare species in our area. Help improve habitat for pollinators by pulling non-native species in the prairie. Meet us at the entrance on Dhu Varren Road, just east of Pontiac Trail. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.  All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. 

Nature Walk with AADL
Thursday, June 28
Bandemer Park
6 to 7:30 p.m.
This park is home to a variety of birds, butterflies, frogs and toads. Join NAP staff on a family-friendly walk through the park to learn more about this diversity. We will meet at the south end of the park, in the parking lot off Lake Shore Drive (via Main Street). Wear comfortable clothes and bring water if desired. The nature walks are a collaboration between the AADL and Natural Area Preservation that take place once a month April through September. Some of AADL's Science Tools will be available for use during the walk!

For more information about what each of these events may require, please read more about volunteering with NAP here.​​