February

Stewardship Workday

Saturday, February 27

Mary Beth Doyle Park

1 to 3 p.m.

Help us honor the late environmental activist, Mary Beth Doyle, by removing invasive shrubs from prairie edges inside Mary Beth Doyle Park. One of the ways prairie ecosystems are lost is due to invasive shrubs establishing in a disturbed open area and spreading without natural predators and ecological controls. We need your help in removing these aggressive shrubs from the park to keep this prairie a prairie! 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 leather work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided after registration. Register here (tinyurl.com/MaryBe022721).​

​
​​

​March

Salamander Survey Kickoff and Training

Saturday, March 6

Zoom Meeting

Noon to 2 p.m.

Learn how to help NAP monitor salamanders in Ann Arbor's parks - there are 5 species here! Volunteers will select parks to survey and learn how to identify these rarely-seen amphibians. Must be willing to walk in the woods on rainy, cold, early spring nights and look under logs in the woods during spring and summer. Please pre-register by March 3 by emailing NAP@a2gov.org or calling our office at 734.794.6627.

Stewardship Workday

Saturday, March 6

Oakwoods Nature Area

1 to 4 p.m.

You might never know from the unassuming entrances nestled among the quiet suburbs surrounding the park, but Oakwoods is a majestic oak and hickory forest ripe with softly rolling hillsides and small, peaceful ponds. Join us to protect and restore this natural area by removing invasive species from the 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 leather work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided after registration.​ Register here (tinyurl.com/Oakwoo030621).

Frog & Toad Survey Kickoff and Training

Saturday, March 6

Zoom Meeting

2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to help monitor frog populations in Ann Arbor! No experience required! You will learn to identify frogs by ear and eye and will select a route to survey. Then, once per month, March through June, you travel a route through the city at night, stopping to listen for frogs along the way. Most routes require driving. Please pre-register by March 3 by emailing NAP@a2gov.org or calling our office at 734.794.6627.

Stewards' Circle

Tuesday, March 9

Zoom Meeting

7:30-8:30 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 discussion at https://tinyurl.com/SCZoom2021.

Stewardship Workday

Saturday, March 13

Onder Nature Area

1 to 4 p.m.

Wander over to Onder and discover a small, but well-loved park in need of your assistance! This park is an important link in a series of parks that create a “green corridor" stretching from Black Pond Woods Nature Area to Barton Nature Area across the northern part of Ann Arbor. Join us to remove invasive species from the park to keep this corridor happy and healthy for park users and wild critters alike! 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 leather work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided after registration.​ Register here (tinyurl.com/Onder031321).

Photo Monitoring Kickoff and Training

Saturday, March 20

Zoom Meeting

11 a.m. to noon

Do you like photography and spending time outdoors? We need volunteers to take photos at specific locations in parks throughout the year to record changes and the progress of our work. Join us at this informational meeting for more details. Please pre-register by March 17 by emailing NAP@a2gov.org or calling our office at 734.794.6627.

Workday Leader Training

Saturday, March 20

Zoom Meeting

1 to 3:30 p.m.

This training is for volunteers interested in leading and/or co-leading NAP volunteer workdays. A strong commitment to preserving the environment while fostering community and engaging the public is necessary. Minimum age of 18. Please pre-register by March 17 by emailing NAP@a2gov.org or calling our office at 734.794.6627.

Stewardship Workday

Sunday, March 21

Lakewood Nature Area

1 to 4 p.m.

Home to a rich understory of wildflowers, Lakewood Nature Area is truly a springtime gem! Join us to remove invasive species and keep the habitat open for these colorful treasures. Then, after you've left the workday, explore Lakewood and its next-door neighbor, Dolph Nature Area. 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 leather work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided after registration. Register here (tinyurl.com/Lakewo032121).

Stewardship Workday

Saturday, March 27

Hansen Nature Area

1 to 4 p.m.

Come see the trout lilies! Hansen Nature Area is a 9-acre goodie basket full to the brim with spring wildflowers and mixed hardwood forests, and it needs your help! Keep this park healthy by helping to remove invasive species. 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 leather work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided after registration.​ Register here (tinyurl.com/Hansen032721).

​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 NAPbirds@a2gov.org.

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 NAP@a2gov.org.

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