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​April

Stewardship Workday

Sunday, April 11

Folkstone Park

1 to 4 p.m.

The spring wildflowers –such as rue-anemone, or Thalictrum thalictroides—in this oak-hickory forest will knock your socks off. You're sure to enjoy an afternoon spent helping us remove non-native plants from Folkstone Park.  Pre-registration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Registration link: tinyurl.com/Folkst041121

Stewards' Circle

Tuesday, April 13

Zoom Meeting

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. Join the virtual discussion via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/SCZoom2021 or dial in at 888 788 0099 (Toll-free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll-free). Meeting ID: 921 6530 3767

Breeding Bird Survey Kickoff

Thursday, April 15

Zoom Meeting

7 to 9 p.m.

Learn how to survey for breeding birds in Ann Arbor's parks! Volunteer to help us with Ann Arbor's Breeding Bird Survey. Experience in bird identification is necessary.  Learn how we use eBird to record survey results, sign up to survey your favorite park, hear about last year's survey, and access survey materials.  This program is a virtual event.  Please register by April 13. For more information, or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send us an email at [email protected].

Stewardship Workday

Saturday, April 17

Berkshire Creek Nature Area

9 a.m. to noon

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Canadian writer and environmental activist Margaret Atwood gave us this affirmation of spending time outdoors in the spring, getting our hands dirty. Join us at Berkshire Creek Nature Area to celebrate spring and protect this part of the Huron River system by removing non-native plants. Pre-registration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Registration link: tinyurl.com/Berksh041721​

Stewardship Workday

Sunday, April 18

Lakewood Nature Area

9 a.m. to noon

Looking to make a big impact? This park is one of a complex of parks in this area! A victory for one is a victory for all when working in Lakewood Nature Area, so come help us make this workday a success by removing invasive species. Pre-registration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Registration link: tinyurl.com/Lakewo041821​

Stewardship Workday- Earth Day

Thursday, April 22

Furstenberg Nature Area

1 to 3 p.m.

Celebrate with us on #EarthDay2021! Home to prime examples of many ecosystems including wetland, woodland, prairie, and oak savanna, there's hardly a better place to continue a half-century of worldwide positive action than at Furstenberg Nature Area. Join us in removing invasive plants from this very special and diverse park! Pre-registration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Registration link: tinyurl.com/Furste042221

Stewardship Workday – Earth Day Weekend

Saturday, April 24

Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area

9 a.m. to noon

Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area is a much-beloved park and serves as an outdoor classroom for students at Mitchell Elementary and Scarlett Middle School. Celebrate 51 years of Earth Day by helping us clear non-native plants and improving habitat for native flora and fauna. #EarthDay2021. Pre-registration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Registration link: tinyurl.com/Scarle042421

Stewardship Workday – Earth Day Weekend

Saturday, April 24

Bluffs Nature Area

9 a.m. to noon

Help care for our planet by improving the ecological quality of a nearby wildlife habitat! Maintaining pockets of natural areas in cities like Ann Arbor is crucial for strengthening our planet's network of ecosystems. Bluffs Nature Area is a 40-acre park right on Main Street, between downtown Ann Arbor and M-14, but it is home to many of Ann Arbor's native flora and fauna. Celebrate #Earthday2021 by pulling invasive plants from Bluffs Nature Area. Pre-registration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Registration link: tinyurl.com/Bluffs042421​

Stewardship Workday – Earth Day Weekend

Saturday, April 24

Sunset Brooks Nature Area

1 to 4 p.m.

Spend an afternoon removing non-native plants at Sunset Brooks Nature Area and you will likely walk away inspired by the dedicated neighbors and their endeavor to maintain and improve this lovely oak-hickory woodland. Join us and others who love this park and celebrate 51 years of Earth Day. #Earthday2021. Pre-registration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Registration link: tinyurl.com/Sunset042421

Stewardship Workday – Global Youth Service Day

Sunday, April 25

Marshall Nature Area

1 to 4 p.m.

Did you know that 50% of the world's population is under age 25? Global Youth Service Day is the largest youth service and civic action event in the world. There is no age limit to join us at Marshall Nature Area while we remove non-native plants – the only requirement is a desire to protect our natural areas and leave the world a better place for today's youth #GYSD. Pre-registration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Registration link: tinyurl.com/Marsha042521​

Turtle Steward Kickoff

Saturday, April 24

Zoom Meeting

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.​​

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 Huron River and nearby waters! We'll cover species identification, nest maintenance and monitoring, and how to report your turtle observations. Please register by April 21. For more information or to register call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send us an email at [email protected].

​May

Stewardship Workday

Saturday, May 1, 9 a.m. to noon

Huron Parkway Nature Area

Did you know Mallett's Creek has 10 miles of open streams and serves as a drainage system for nearly 11 square miles of land in Ann Arbor and surrounding townships? Mallett's Creek flows along the eastern border of Huron Parkway Nature Area. Unfortunately, the park is threatened by invasive plants! Help us restore this scenic nature area long Mallett's Creek by pulling invasive weeds. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/HuronP050121).

Stewardship Workday – Arbor Day

Saturday, May 1, 1 to 4 p.m.

Mary Beth Doyle Park

While most holidays celebrate something that has already happened, Arbor Day represents a hope for the future. Join us to remove non-native plants and to celebrate our community's hope for the future as modeled by one of Michigan's most prominent environmental advocates, Mary Beth Doyle. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/MaryBe050121).

Stewardship Workday

Sunday, May 2, 9 a.m. to noon

Leslie Woods Nature Area

Leslie Park Golf Course is a City of Ann Arbor owned and operated golf course, loved by many local golfers. What you may not know, is that there is also a 23-acre nature area attached to the southeastern part of the property. Here you can find a mature oak-hickory forest dotted with vernal pools and bustling with native fauna. Help us keep this small pocket of natural wonder healthy for our wildlife and beautiful for our golfers by pulling invasive plants. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/Leslie050221).

Stewardship Workday – Huron River Day

Sunday, May 2, 1 to 4 p.m.

Argo Nature Area

Throughout May 2021, we will be celebrating Huron River Day! This annual event seeks to educate citizens about the importance of water quality and Huron River preservation. The narrow strip of parkland that protects the Huron River just north of the Argo Canoe Livery needs your help! Invasive plants threaten the health of the river and push out beautiful native flowers that support butterflies and other pollinators. Join us to keep these natural treasures safe and healthy. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/Argo050221).

Stewardship Workday – International Migratory Bird Day

Saturday, May 8, 9 a.m. to noon

Brokaw Nature Area

“It's a range of biodiversity that we care for – the whole thing – rather than just one or two stars" said nature journalist David Attenborough. We would love your help in caring for all of our native flora and fauna at Brokaw Nature Area. This newer park has 126 recorded plant species that make up a complex and diverse wooded ecosystem on the northwest side of town. In order to maintain this resilient ecosystem, we need to remove aggressive non-native plants, that if left unchecked will reduce the biodiversity of this woodland. Join us as we pull these invasive weeds! Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/Brokaw050821).

Stewardship Workday

Saturday, May 8, 1 to 4 p.m.

Miller Nature Area

Park stewards of Miller Nature Area have banned together to improve the natural area in this neighborhood park. Spend an afternoon joining this effort by removing aggressive non-native plants to make more space for magnificent spring wildflowers such as Trillium, Dutchman's Breeches, and Bloodroot. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/Miller050821).

Stewards' Circle

Tuesday, May 11, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Zoom Meeting

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. This month's topic: In 2018, Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC) installed a Native Plant & Insect Garden at the entrance of their Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve. Now in 2021, SMLC will be expanding on this project's success by converting the entrance lawn into a native prairie. Join us to discuss the process of planning, funding, and implementing a formal garden installation and a small-scale natural community restoration. Julie McLaughlin is the Stewardship and Outreach Manager for SMLC. Cathy Bach is a retired professor of ecology at Eastern Michigan University and a member of the Superior Township Chapter of SMLC. Free! For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org. Join the virtual discussion via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/SCZoom2021 or dial in at 888 788 0099 (Toll-free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll-free). Meeting ID: 921 6530 3767

Stewardship Workday

Saturday, May 15, 9 a.m. to noon

Buttonbush Nature Area

Named for the dramatic thickets of buttonbush shrubs that bloom in the “inundated shrub swamp" in late July, Buttonbush Nature Area is only two years old –one of Ann Arbor's newest parks. Join us to remove non-native plants, and spend some time getting to know this new and unique park. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/Button051521).

Stewardship Workday

Saturday, May 15, 1 to 4 p.m.

Oakwoods Nature Area

After 25 years of restoration effort from the community, the flora and fauna at Oakwoods Nature Area are both diverse and beautiful. Join us to help keep up the fight against non-native plants and experience the woodland and wetland wonder for yourself. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/Oakwoo051521).

Stewardship Workday- Huron River Day

Sunday, May 16, 1 to 4 p.m.

Cedar Bend Nature Area

Throughout May 2021, we will be celebrating Huron River Day! This annual event seeks to educate citizens about the importance of water quality and Huron River preservation. One of the oldest parks in Ann Arbor, Cedar Bend is home to a rich history of ecological restoration. Come be a part of that history on the Huron River as we remove garlic mustard and other spring time invasive weeds. We'll be making more room for the native flora and fauna to thrive. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/CedarB051621).

Stewardship Workday – World Biodiversity Day and Huron River Day

Saturday, May 22, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Bird Hills Nature Area

Help preserve the Huron River and celebrate World Biodiversity Day at Bird Hills! Bird Hills gives us the opportunity to view many different kinds of wildlife, including reptiles, amphibians, and tons of fascinating birds. Come help us improve the habitat for these creatures – and protect the overall health of the river – as we and pull spring invasive plants. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/BirdHi052221).

Butterfly Survey Kickoff

Saturday, May 22, 11 a.m to 1 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. Please register by May 19 to [email protected]or call us at 734.794.6627.

Stewardship Workday- Huron River Day

Saturday, May 22, 1 to 4 p.m.

Barton Nature Area

Throughout May 2021, we will be celebrating Huron River Day! This annual event seeks to educate citizens about the importance of water quality and Huron River preservation. Join us to protect the woodlands, wetlands, and prairies all battling aggressive non-native plants at Barton Nature Area – a location that is vital to protecting the Huron River.  Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/Barton052221).

Stewardship Workday

Sunday, May 23, 9 a.m. to noon

Black Pond Woods Nature Area

The woods surrounding Black Pond have so much to offer in the way of habitat. Come learn about the mysterious name of this natural area while we remove non-native plants threatening the diverse native plants and animals that call Black Pond Woods home. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/BlackP052321).

Stewardship Workday

Sunday, May 23, 1 to 4 p.m.

Onder Park​

After 13 years of public workdays at Onder Park, volunteers like you have dramatically improved this “green corridor" and the habitat continuity it provides for nearby natural areas. Join us as we continue this important work, by removing non-native plants and making way for native plants to re-establish. Pre-registration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Participants must wear a mask and maintain a 6-ft distance from others at all times. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here (https://tinyurl.com/Onder052321).

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