Archived News Release: February 28, 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 April are listed below. Those participating in the stewardship workdays, 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 NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Tuesday, April 10, 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: Simplifying field work. Washtenaw County staff have found a new way to monitor and assess a wetland restoration project at Trinkle Marsh Preserve. Collector is a surprisingly easy program that gives staff a lot of information to use in, and understand, the greater landscape. Join us to discuss how this technology can be useful in your restoration project.
Thursday, April 12, 7–9 p.m.
Natural Area Preservation Office, 3875 E. 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 2017 survey results. Please register by April 9. For more information, or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send an email to [email protected].
Saturday, April 14, 1–4 p.m.
The Ponds Park
Spring is here! Get outdoors and volunteer! Last year, volunteers helped build a new trail in this park. Now, help is needed to remove invasive species, such as garlic mustard, to improve the habitat for wildlife. Meet at the park entrance at the corner of Emerald Avenue and Candlewick Drive.
Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m.–noon
Cedar Bend Nature Area
Cedar Bend is Ann Arbor's oldest park, planned in the early 1900s as a place to escape to nature. Many native wildflowers such as May-apple and jack-in-the-pulpit are facing competition from non-native species such as garlic mustard and dame's rocket. Help NAP remove invasives and restore this historic natural area. Meet at the Island Park parking lot, at the end of Island Drive.
Turtle Steward Kickoff & Training
Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.–noon
Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.
At least six 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 river and creeks. We'll cover species identification, nest maintenance and monitoring and how to report your turtle observations. This training will be indoors. Please register by April 19. For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send an email to [email protected].
Sunday, April 22, 9 a.m.–noon
Maryfield Wildwood Park
Maryfield Wildwood is a neighborhood park featuring a wooded ravine. In the spring, the redbud trees bloom with bright pink blossoms. Celebrate Earth Day with NAP by pulling invasive species, allowing more native plants to grow. Join us at the intersection of Linwood and Wilton Streets.
Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival
Sunday, April 22, noon–4 p.m.
Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road
Join us to celebrate the Earth! This free, family-friendly event features displays from local environmental, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. For more information please visit www.lesliesnc.org/a2earthday.
Sunday, April 22, 1–4 p.m.
Miller Nature Area
Get outside and protect biodiversity on Earth Day! Despite this park's history of logging, farming and gravel mining, progress has been made to restore its natural beauty. Join NAP to continue the restoration process by pulling invasive dame's rocket and garlic mustard. Meet at the park entrance on Arborview Boulevard, just east of Wildwood Avenue.
Nature Walk with Ann Arbor District Library
Thursday, April 26, 6–7:30 p.m.
Mary Beth Doyle Park
Mary Beth Doyle Park is an 81-acre park with both paved and unpaved trails. NAP staff will lead a family-friendly nature walk through the woods and around the pond. 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 28, 9 a.m.–noon
Mary Beth Doyle Park
The wetland at Mary Beth Doyle Park is a great place to watch for migratory birds. The woodland is filled with spring wildflowers such as trillium and trout lilies. On Arbor Day, join NAP to plant shrubs along Mallets Creek and increase the native habitat in this beautiful park. Meet at the parking lot off Packard Road, across from Easy Street.
Saturday, April 28, 1–4 p.m.
Molin Nature Area
Park stewards have been hard at work in this 7-acre neighborhood park. They need your help to remove spring invasives to allow the native plants to thrive. Celebrate Arbor Day with us by restoring native habitat. Meet at the park entrance at the intersection of Powell Avenue and Columbia Avenue.
Sunday, April 29, 1–4 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area
Marshall Nature Area is part of a large undeveloped corridor in northeast Ann Arbor. The gently sloping hillsides are rich with wildflowers. This beautiful area is threatened by non-native species such as garlic mustard. Help preserve biodiversity by pulling invasive plants. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road.
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Photo: Painted Turtle, by Lynda Ludy
