Archived News Release: January 26, 2018 - 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. These tasks are performed by both staff and volunteers. Volunteer opportunities coming up in March are listed below. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Salamander Survey Kick-off and Training
Saturday, March 3, noon–2 p.m.
Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.
Learn how to help NAP monitor salamanders in Ann Arbor's parks — we have at least five species here! Volunteers will be trained to identify salamanders and select parks to survey. Must be willing to walk in the woods on rainy, cold nights in early spring, and take day surveys in spring and summer. Please register by March 1. For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send an email to [email protected].
Frog and Toad Survey Kick-off and Training
Saturday, March 3, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.
Everyone is invited to help monitor frog populations in Ann Arbor! Volunteers will be trained to identify frogs by ear and eye and will select a route to survey. No previous experience required! Surveying is done on night trips, at least once per month, March through June. Most routes require driving. Please register by March 1. For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627 or send an email to [email protected].
Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, March 13, 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. Free! For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org. This month's topic: How can cities help save the planet's biodiversity?
By 2050, the amount of land surface on the planet dedicated to urban habitats is projected to grow three-fold as 90 percent of humanity moves into cities. The proliferation of urban habitats will undoubtedly influence biodiversity — but there's no agreement on how. Some say cities and their development practices are one of the primary contributors to biodiversity loss. Others say cities harbor more biodiversity than they are often given credit for, and that certain types of "green" development practices can help save biodiversity. We will discuss the role of cities — big and small - in biodiversity loss, using Ann Arbor's past and present development practices as a warning, or exemplar, of the role cities play in conservation.
Photo Monitoring Kick-off and Training
Saturday, March 24, 10–11 a.m.
NAP Office, 3875 E. Huron River Drive
Do you like photography and spending time outdoors? Photo monitoring may be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! We need volunteers to take beautiful photos at specific locations in parks throughout the year to record the progress of our restoration work. Come join us at this informational meeting for more details about this volunteer opportunity! Please register by March 22. For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send an email to [email protected].
Workday Leader Training
Saturday, March 24, noon–5 p.m.
NAP Office, 3875 E. Huron River Drive
This is for volunteers interested in leading and/or co-leading NAP volunteer stewardship workdays. We will focus on procedures, ecological consideration and tips and tricks to lead a successful event. An interest and background in ecology (and plant ID) is strongly desired, but not required. A strong commitment to preserving the environment, while fostering community and engaging the public, is necessary. Participants should be dressed for classroom and possible field training. Minimum age of 18. Please register by March 22. For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send an email to [email protected].
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