​MAY

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, May 4
Furstenberg Native Garden
9 a.m. to noon
Time to brush off those gardening skills! The Furstenberg Native Garden showcases the beauty of Michigan wildflowers. Help get the garden ready for spring. Learn about native plants while making the garden beautiful. Meet in the parking lot off Fuller Road (map). 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 4
Sunset Brooks Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Sunset Brooks is a great place to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of spring. The dogwoods in bloom are a delight. Non-native species such as garlic mustard and dame's rocket are threatening to displace the native plants. Join us in clearing out invasive plants from this habitat. Meet at the park entrance on Sunset Road, at the end of Brooks Street (map).  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 4
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 summer. No experience in butterfly identification is necessary, though it is helpful. Space is extremely limited, so please register by May 2 to NAP@a2gov.org, or call us at 734.794.6627.

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, May 5
Maryfield Wildwood Park
9 a.m. to noon
Spend the day outside beautifying one of Ann Arbor's neighborhood parks. Many exotic ornamental plants have been introduced to this wooded ravine. Help us make room for native species by removing these harmful plants. Come make a difference in your community. Meet at the intersection of Linwood and Wilton Streets (map). 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 5
Miller Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
The extensive trails at Miller Nature Area offer a great place to take a walk on a spring day. If you look carefully you can see signs of the land's uses before it was a park. Park stewards have spent many hours making this woodland beautiful again. Join them to continue the restoration by pulling invasive species such as garlic mustard. Meet us at the Arborview Boulevard entrance, just east of Wildwood Avenue (map). 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 11
Lakewood Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Have you seen enough wildflowers this spring? If not, come enjoy the rich spread of native wildflowers at Lakewood Nature Area. Explore the several ravines, streams, and hilly habitats in this beautiful nature area. Unfortunately, invasive species threaten the diversity here. Take part in our efforts to remove these threatening invaders. Meet us at the Lakewood Elementary School parking lot off Gralake Avenue (map). 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 11
Dolph Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Dolph Nature Area is a favorite among birdwatchers because the variety of ecosystems here support a diverse bird population. Visit during spring migration and you're sure to see dozens of birds. Help NAP protect this diversity by removing non-native species such as garlic mustard. Meet at the parking lot off Wagner Road (map). 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 12
Bird Hills Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
It's easy to forget you're in the city in this 160-acre woodland. This quiet oasis is home to birds, frogs, deer, and a wide variety of trees and wildflowers. Native species here need help fending off invasive plants. Join us to pull garlic mustard and dame's rocket and prevent the spread of these intruders. Meet at the Bird Road entrance to the park, west of Huron River Drive (map). 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, May 14
Bruegger's Bagels, 709 N University Ave
7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
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: Foraging
Wild foods foraging has grown in popularity in recent years. Humans have harvested wild foods for thousands of years but in this fragmented landscape it can put pressure on the resource. It is also an opportunity to engage and reconnect people to stewardship. Join us for a conversation about the concerns, challenges, and opportunities of foraging.

Bird Walk
Friday, May 17
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 (map).

21st Annual Garlic Mustard Weed Out Day
Saturday, May 18
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:

• Argo Nature Area- Meet in the parking lot north of the Argo Canoe Livery, off Longshore Drive (map).

• Black Pond Woods Nature Area – Meet us on Tibbits Ct, off of Pontiac Trail (map).

• Hannah Nature Area - Meet at the west end of Bath Street, off 7th, just north of Huron (map).

• Huron Hills Golf Course Woods- Meet us on Hunting Valley off Provincial Drive (map​).

• Huron Parkway Nature Area- Meet at the Park Steward's house- 3470 Woodland Road, off East Huron River Drive (map).

• Leslie Woods Nature Area- Meet at the park entrance at the north end of Upland Drive, north of Plymouth Road (map).

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, May 19
Fuller Park
9 a.m. to noon
Celebrate Huron River Day by resorting native habitat near the river. This floodplain forest contains many water-loving species. But non-native species are degrading the quality of this habitat. Help us pull these unwanted plants. The native wildlife will thank you! Meet at the Island Park parking lot at the end of Island Drive (map). All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided.

Huron River Day
Sunday, May 19
Gallup Park
12 to 4 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

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, May 25
Bluffs Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Bluffs Nature Area is a diverse park containing a wooded ravine, an open prairie, and an oak-hickory forest. With such diversity, Bluffs is a must-explore for any nature lover. However, exotic species such as garlic mustard are threatening to take over. Join us to keep the native species thriving by removing invasive plants. Meet in the parking lot off Main Street, just north of Lake Shore Drive (map). 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, May 30
Bird Hills Nature Area
6:00-7:30 p.m.
The largest park in Ann Arbor contains steep hills created by glaciers and erosion. Join us for a family friendly nature walk through these woods to look for native plants and wildlife. Meet at the Bird Road entrance to the park (map). Additional parking available at the Barton Dam parking lot across Huron River Drive. Wear comfortable clothes and bring water if desired. The nature walks are a collaboration between the Ann Arbor District Library 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

Stewardship Workday-National Trails Day
Saturday, June 1
Barton Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
National Trails Day is dedicated to connecting more people to their local trails. The trails at Barton Nature Area wind through 83 acres of various habitats and provide great wildlife viewing opportunities. Lend a hand to maintain these trails so nature lovers can continue to explore this beautiful nature area. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map). 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 1
Brokaw Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day by building trails through one of our newest nature areas. Brokaw Nature Area is a diverse park with seven species of oak. People will be able to enjoy this diversity along with views of the Huron River from the new trails. Meet at the park entrance on Huron River Drive just south of Wagner Road (map). 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.

Bird Walk
Sunday, June 2
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 (map).

Stewardship Workday-National Trails Day
Sunday, June 2
Swift Run Marsh
9 a.m. to noon
Come find your trail on National Trails Day! Swift Run contains a high quality prairie and a large pond that attracts many ducks, waders, and shorebirds. Help us trim the trails to allow access to birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts. We'll meet you on Eddy Street, off of Verle Avenue (map). 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 2
Bird Hills Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
With 3.7 miles of trails, Bird Hills Nature Area is a wonderful place to take a hike. A variety of trees, wildflowers, and rocks left by glaciers can be seen along these trails. Join us on National Trails Day to protect and repair the trail leading into the park. Meet us at the Beechwood entrance off of Sunset Road (map). 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 Get Outdoors Day
Saturday, June 8
Onder Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
It's National Get Outdoors Day, and what better way to get outdoors than volunteering? Onder Nature Area is a quiet neighborhood park with natural beauty. We need your help to keep invasive species from degrading this park. Spend the afternoon outdoors, meet new people, and preserve nature. Meet on Brookside Drive, just west of Hilldale Drive (map). 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 9
Mary Beth Doyle Park
9 a.m. to noon
The oak-hickory forest at Mary Beth Doyle has a diverse array of wildflowers. NAP staff and volunteers have been hard at work to protect the biodiversity of these woods. But there is still much work to do! Join us to continue the restoration by removing non-native species such as bittercress. Meet at the parking lot off Packard Road, across from Easy Street (map). 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 11
Bruegger's Bagels, 709 N University Ave
7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
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: Planning native plantings
We've all spent time removing non-native plants, but what about planting natives? Let's discuss developing and implementing planting plans. Bring your feedback on what works and what doesn't.

Mayor's Green Fair
Friday, June 14
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!

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, June 15
Furstenberg Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
As spring turns to summer, the native garden begins to bloom. Work with park steward and master gardener, Aunita Erskine to maintain the garden, which showcases the beauty of native plants. Formal gardening not your thing? We'll also be working to remove invasive species in other areas of the park. Meet in the parking lot off Fuller Road (map). 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 15
Forest Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Forest Nature Area is connected to and shares trails with Parker Mill County Park. This floodplain forest is home to native water-loving plants, which are threatened by invasive species such as bittercress. Join NAP and Washtenaw County Parks for a joint workday to pull non-native plants in this special park. Meet us in the Parker Mill parking lot, off Geddes Road, ¼ mile east of Dixboro Road (map). 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 16
Marshall Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
The songs of birds will greet you at Marshall Nature Area. Over 120 species have been spotted in this woodland. Help us care for this habitat by removing aggressive non-native plants. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road (map). 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 Pollinator Week
Saturday, June 22
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Under NAP's care a prairie has been restored to this once-disturbed site. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators live in this habitat. Celebrate National Pollinator week by improving their home. Team up with us to remove invasive species such as sweet clover to keep the native prairie plants thriving. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road (map). 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 Pollinator Week
Sunday, June 23
Olson Park
1 to 4 p.m.
Pollinator Week is an international celebration of the services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and beetles. Olson Park is home to a variety of pollinators, including the uncommon wild indigo duskywing butterfly. Help provide quality habitat for pollinators by removing non-native plants. Meet at the park entrance on Dhu Varren Road, just east of Pontiac Trail (map). 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 NAP and AADL
Thursday, June 27
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Barton Nature Area
The habitats at Barton Nature Area are home to butterflies, birds, frogs, and turtles. Join us on a family-friendly walk to explore the prairies, woodlands, and along the river. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map). 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.

Stewardship Workday
Saturday, June 29
Barton Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
A tallgrass prairie with 6 foot tall big bluestem grass can be found along the railroad tracks at Barton Nature Area. Non-native species such as sweet clover are threatening the quality of this rare ecosystem. Lend a hand pulling these invasive plants to protect the native prairie species. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map). 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.

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