Archived News Release: March 3, 2017 - City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) works to protect and restore Ann Arbor's natural areas and to foster an environmental ethic among its citizens. This involves conducting plant and animal inventories, ecological monitoring, and stewardship projects in Ann Arbor parks. Both staff and volunteers perform these tasks. Please dress in layers/appropriate for the outside elements, and wear shoes suitable for wet ground for workday events. Workdays are suitable for all ages, but minors must be accompanied by a guardian, or contact NAP in advance to obtain a release form. Tools, snacks and know-how provided. Free. Volunteer opportunities coming up in April are listed below. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Stewards' Circle – Optimizing Your Volunteer Experience
Tuesday, April 11, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Bruegger's Bagels, 709 N. University Ave.
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. Your time is valuable and your dedication is admirable! This month, join us for a discussion on how to build a management plan to best utilize your generously donated time and energy, and how to optimize fulfillment as an environmental steward. Free! For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org.
Thursday, April 13, 7–8:30 p.m.
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 2016 survey results. Please register by April 10. For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send us an email at [email protected].
Saturday, April 15, 1–4 p.m.
Miller Nature Area
Spring is here, and what better way to get outdoors after a long winter than enjoying nature at Miller Nature Area! Miller's 22 acres include magnificent trees and miles of winding trails. We will be pulling invasive garlic mustard to make room for native spring wildflowers. Meet us at the Arborview Boulevard entrance, just east of Wildwood Avenue.
Turtle Steward Kickoff and Training
Saturday, April 22, 4–7 p.m.
Gallup Canoe Livery Meeting Room
At least six species of turtles live and nest in the city, maybe more! Help us protect nest sites, monitor populations and look for turtles in habitats along the river and creeks! We'll cover species identification, nest monitoring and how to report your turtle observations. This training will be indoors. Please register by April 13. For more information or to register call NAP 734.794.6627, or send us an email at [email protected].
Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m.–noon
Marshall Nature Area
You and your friends and family can help us celebrate Earth Day by removing invasive plants that crowd out native wildflowers! This large nature area, which extends into a county park and University of Michigan property, is a valuable piece of wildlife habitat in the northeast part of the city. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road.
Saturday, April 22, 1–4 p.m.
Huron Parkway Nature Area
Huron Parkway is home to many types of wildlife — everything from birds to turtles can be found in this secluded nature area. This Earth Day, we will remove garlic mustard and other invasive herbs that would otherwise take over the park. Meet at the Park Steward's house, 3470 Woodland Road, off East Huron River Drive.
Ann Arbor Area Earth Day Festival
Sunday, April 23, noon–4 p.m.
Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road
Join us for an afternoon of celebrating the Earth through entertainment, education, exploration and fun! This free, family-friendly event features displays from local environmental, nonprofit and governmental organizations; live animal demonstrations; hands-on activities; live entertainment; green building and commuting technologies; energy topics; water awareness; sustainable agriculture; and more.
For more information please visit http://www.lesliesnc.org/a2earthday
Sunday, April 23, 1–4 p.m.
Huron Hills Golf Course Woods
Help us celebrate Earth Day by removing invasive species from Huron Hills Golf Course Woods, in order to make room for native spring wildflowers! We will also be doing trail maintenance. Meet us on Hunting Valley Road off of Provincial Drive.
Nature Walk with Ann Arbor District Library
Thursday, April 27, 6:30–8 p.m.
Mary Beth Doyle ParkMary Beth Doyle Park is an 81-acre park located east of the Malletts Creek branch of the AADL. It has both paved and unpaved trails that meander through woods and wetlands. A large pond near the center of the park is a wonderful area for wildlife viewing. Spring wildflowers here are spectacular! Staff from City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation will lead a family-friendly nature walk through the woods.
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!
Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m.–noon
Furstenberg Nature Area - Native Garden
Love gardening? At this stewardship workday, we will be planting and prepping Furstenberg's native garden space! Help provide habitat for local pollinators at Furstenberg this weekend. Meet us in the parking lot off of Fuller Road.
Saturday, April 29, 1–4 p.m.
Bird Hills Nature Area
Bird Hills is our largest nature area and is home to a wide array of plant and animal species, some of which make their homes in this nature area's many towering trees. However, some of these species are invasive and serve little benefit to the other species that call Bird Hills home. Join us at the Beechwood entrance off of Sunset Road.
Sunday, April 30, 1–4 p.m.
Mary Beth Doyle Park
The woods in this park contain many uncommon species, including hazelnut, flowering dogwoods and chinkapin oaks. Help us manage the nature area and improve wildlife habitat by removing garlic mustard. Along with the woods, this park has many other features, including a disc golf course, playground and a storm water pond that attracts many birds. Meet us at the parking lot off Packard Road, across from Easy Street.
# # # # #
