SEPTEMBER

Stewardship Workday - National Day of Service and Remembrance Sunday, September 9
Oakwoods Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Shakespeare said that one touch with nature makes the whole world kin.  We can honor the kin we lost on 9/11 by helping to restore the native nature of Oakwoods.  Join us in our efforts to remove invasive shrubs such as buckthorn and honeysuckle so that the wildlife can thrive. Meet us at the park entrance off Dunwoodie. 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 Day of Service and Remembrance
Sunday, September 9
Arbor Hills Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
The anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has been declared a day of service, for citizens to unite and improve their community. Arbor Hills Nature Area is a small park, but home to an intricate community of wetlands and woods. Come protect this unique area by removing threatening invasive shrubs. Meet at the park entrance on Ashburnham Rd. 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, September 9
Mary Beth Doyle Park
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Join NAP's Ornithologist, Juliet Berger, on a walk around this diverse park, which includes a storm water retention pond often frequented by migrating shorebirds.  If there is mud around the pond, we may see Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper and other more exotic species.  There may be migrating waterfowl on the pond as well.  We'll also search for fall migrating songbirds in the woods. Bring binoculars if you have them, and be prepared for walking in potentially muddy areas. Meet us in the parking lot at the end of Birch Hollow Drive. No pets, please.

Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, September 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: Ann Arbor's Bees
Michigan is home to over 450 species of wild bees, and Ann Arbor's natural areas provide important habitat for many of these. Come learn about the diversity of wild bees in the area, their ecological importance, and reasons for the declining populations of many bees. We'll discuss ways to manage lands to promote the wellbeing of wild bees, and strategies for engaging the public in understanding and protecting these essential pollinators.

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, September 16
Stapp Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Stapp Nature Area is a small park adjacent to the Traverwood Branch of the AADL. It contains mature oak hickory forest and a vernal pond, as well as lovely trails for enjoying the plentiful frogs, toads, turtles, and salamanders. Help us maintain this habitat by lopping and sawing non- native shrubs. 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
Sunday, September 16
Foxfire West Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Foxfire West is a small but diverse park in the Traver Creek watershed. This high quality area is threatened by invasive species such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. Help NAP cut these shrubs to keep this ecosystem healthy. Meet us at the park entrance on Birchwood Drive between Hickory Point Drive and Timbercrest 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- National Public Lands Day
Sunday, September 23
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
National Public Lands Day is a day dedicated to volunteering in our nation's public lands. Kuebler Langford Nature Area features lush woodlands, dramatic ravines, and a diverse array of rare plants and wildflowers. However, non-native shrubs are crowding out the native plants. Join us, using hand saws and loppers, to remove these shrubs and allow the native plants to flourish. 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.

Nature Walk with AADL
Thursday, September 27
Marshall Nature Area
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The trails at Marshall Nature Area wind through prairie, oak-hickory forest, and an old pine plantation. Join NAP staff on a nature walk to learn about the native plants and animals that call this park home. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road. 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
Saturday, September 29
Argo Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Argo Nature Area is a long narrow strip of forest that runs along the river, north of the canoe livery. It is home to many wildflowers, birds, bullfrogs, and many invasive shrubs. Help us cut these shrubs to allow a more plentiful amount of native plants to grow. Meet in the parking lot north of the Argo Canoe Livery, off Longshore 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, September 29
Onder Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Onder Nature Area is a small neighborhood park featuring many black cherry and box elder trees as well as a few large oak trees.  Help us make it a beautiful day in the neighborhood by removing invasive shrubs harming the small oak savanna. 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, September 30
Marshall Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Nestled in the northeast part of the city is Marshall Nature Area, home to a variety of birds that nest in the oak hickory forest. Buckthorn and honeysuckle are crowding out the native plants needed to keep these birds singing. Join our team in removing these offenders while enjoying the song of the woods.  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.

OCTOBER

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, October 7
Mary Beth Doyle Park
1 to 4 p.m.
The woodland at Mary Beth Doyle Park contains an exceptional diversity of native trees and shrubs. Help us protect the native plants by cutting invasive shrubs such as honeysuckle and buckthorn. There will be opportunity to collect native seeds in the prairie as well. 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.

Public Meeting – Controlled Ecological Burn Program
Monday, October 8
NAP Office, 3875 East Huron River Drive
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Fire is used as a restoration tool in many of Ann Arbor's natural areas. This meeting provides information and an opportunity for discussion about NAP's Controlled Ecological Burn Program. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the ecological benefits of burning, and hear about the specifics of effectively and safely using fire as a restoration tool. Burns are conducted in city parks throughout the spring and fall.

All persons are encouraged to participate in public meetings. Accommodations, including sign language interpreters, may be arranged by contacting the City Clerk's office at 734.794.6140; via email to: cityclerk@a2gov.org; or by written request addressed and mailed or delivered to: City Clerk's Office, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Requests made with less than two business days notice may not be able to be accommodated.

Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, October 9
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: Partnering with UM SEAS
Learn how the UM School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) engages with local stewards, practitioners, and educators involved in conservation and restoration. SEAS has many partnerships from student research on the avian use of Ann Arbor rain gardens, to an educational tool on Phragmites control in the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge to public stewardship opportunities in university-owned properties. How can SEAS partner with you?

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, October 14
Furstenberg Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
Furstenberg is 38 acres of rich habitat diversity, including tall grass prairie, oak woodland, and wetlands.  Non-native plants are choking the native plants and we need your help to stop them. Spend the day enjoying the beauty of this park while removing non-native offenders. Meet us in the parking lot off 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, October 14
Ruthven Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m
Ruthven Nature Area is a 20 acre park with a hill that overlooks the Huron River. NAP staff and volunteers have done a lot of work to restore the native plant communities here. Lend a hand with this restoration work by cutting invasive shrubs and collecting native seeds. Meet us at the Gallup boat dock parking lot, at the southeast corner of Huron Parkway and Geddes 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.

Volunteer Appreciation Potluck
Thursday, October 18
Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
All volunteers, past, present, and future, are invited to our annual appreciation event! Let's celebrate our collective accomplishments while sharing food and community. Games, door prizes, and fun activities for all. Please bring a dish to pass and friends or family. Costumes are encouraged. RSVPs appreciated. Call us at 734.794.6627 or email us at NAP@a2gov.org by October 16.

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, October 21
Sunset Brooks Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon
What better way to spend a crisp fall morning than exploring the 7.8 acre hickory woodland of Sunset Brooks? You can enjoy the wetlands and dogwood groves while helping to maintain them by removing threatening, invasive shrubs. Meet at the Beechwood entrance to the park. 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, October 21
Bird Hills Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. As Ann Arbor's largest park, come see how gorgeous the 161 acres of Bird Hills are right now while simultaneously helping to protect these acres by removing invasive shrubs like buckthorn. We'll also collect native seeds in order to help spread these native plants. Join us at the Beechwood entrance off 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
Saturday, October 27
Miller Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Miller Nature Area is an example of a disturbed site returning to its former natural beauty. However, many invasive species remain. Join us to cut non-native shrubs to increase the native biodiversity. Meet us at the Arborview Boulevard entrance, 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.

NOVEMBER

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, November 4
Braun Nature Area
9 a.m. to noon   
Malletts Creek runs through Braun Nature Area and wetland plants thrive along its banks. However, exotic shrubs such as honeysuckle are threatening the biodiversity here. Join us to remove these invasive species, allowing the native plants to flourish. Meet at the park entrance on Chalmers 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, November 4
Huron Parkway Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Huron Parkway Nature Area contains a pond and wetlands encircled by woodlands and meadow. These diverse communities are home to everything from fox to owls. We need your help maintaining the quality of this habitat by removing invasive shrubs. We'll also be collecting native seeds. You might even catch a glimpse of a white feathered wild turkey.  Meet at the Park Steward's house- 3470 Woodland Road, off East 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
Saturday, November 10
Cedar Bend Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Autumn is a magical season of migration in the riverside nature area of Cedar Bend.  Plentiful oak, hickory, and cherry trees provide habitat for these birds and other wildlife. Enjoy spotting birds while cutting down the invasive plants menacing this habitat. We'll also collect native seeds to help disperse these important plants. Meet us at the 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.

Stewardship Workday
Sunday, November 11
Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area is not only 88 acres of diverse plant communities, it is also the location of many school field trips. Help our kids continue to enjoy the natural native wonders of this area by removing invasive shrubbery. Meet in the Scarlett Middle School parking lot off Lorraine 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.

Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, November 13
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: Prioritzing Conservation Work
With so much to do, how do you prioritize which areas will receive resources for conservation work? What are some tools that can be used to make these decisions? Join us to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using certain criteria to determine priorities.

Stewardship Workday- Family Volunteer Day
Sunday, November 18
Barton Nature Area
1 to 4 p.m.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, what better way to show gratitude for our beautiful natural areas than by helping to improve the biodiversity of Barton Nature Area, an essential part of Ann Arbor's riverside greenway. Family Volunteer Day celebrates families that work together to improve their communities. Bring your family and join the NAP family in removing invasive shrubs and collecting native seeds. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot 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.

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