Archived News Release: June 5, 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. Volunteer opportunities coming up in July are listed below. For stewardship workdays, please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes; every participant must present a completed release form; all minors should be accompanied by a guardian; and tools, snacks, and know-how provided. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Sunday, July 9, 9 a.m.–noon
Barton Nature Area
Restoration work here has brought back a grassland in this bend of the river, but it is being invaded by exotic weed species. Volunteers will help protect the park's diversity by pulling summer invasives in these prairies. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive.
Tuesday, July 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. This month, you are invited to join us for a discussion with State Representative Yousef Rabhi about how to navigate the political system to advocate for the environment at all levels of government. Free and open to anyone interested. For more information, go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org.
Saturday, July 15, 9 a.m.–noon
Furstenberg Native Garden
Park Steward and Master Gardener Aunita Erskine will lead this workday, maintaining the native garden at this park. Furstenberg's native garden is a living demonstration of the beauty of native wildflowers, both a help for identification and an example of how they can be used in landscaping. Please meet in the parking lot off of Fuller Road.
Saturday, July 15, 9 a.m.–noon
Furstenberg Nature Area
This park along the river has high ecological diversity, including restored prairie and oak savanna. Help is needed to protect it from invasive weeds that crowd out natives and provide little food for wildlife. Please meet in the parking lot off Fuller Road.
Nature Walk with Ann Arbor District Library
Thursday, July 27, 6:30–8 p.m.
Bluffs Nature Area
Home to many trails with access to a small prairie tucked away within the oak-hickory woods, Bluffs is around 40 acres of beautiful Michigan habitat. Under NAP's care, prairies and oak seedlings are establishing here after many years of disturbance. Staff from NAP will lead a family-friendly nature walk through the woods. Meet at the entrance on Sunset Road near Wildt Street.
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, July 29, 9 a.m.–noon
Bluffs Nature Area
Volunteers are needed to remove invasive plants that provide little food for wildlife and crowd out native wildflowers. This park offers some interesting views of the river and has a small hidden prairie. Meet at the entrance on Sunset Road near Wildt Street.
Sunday, July 30, 1–4 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area
This large park (almost 90 acres) is near natural areas owned by the county and the University of Michigan. This large area of contiguous natural habitat makes each individual part that much more valuable for conservation. Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plant species that are invading the open woodlands and meadows here. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road.
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