Archived News Release: May 2, 2018 - The 20th Annual Garlic Mustard Weed-out Day is an opportunity for all ages to improve habitat for wildlife in the city's parks. The City of Ann Arbor's Natural Area Preservation Division (NAP) invites volunteers to lend a hand pulling garlic mustard at six Ann Arbor nature areas and parks on Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m.–noon.
Garlic Mustard Weed-out Day is an annual tradition for NAP and the community, bringing volunteers together to hand-pull invasive garlic mustard in natural areas all around Ann Arbor. Garlic mustard is an aggressive invasive plant which can quickly crowd out native plant species and decrease natural diversity in the woods. Identifying and pulling garlic mustard is fun and easy, making this a great volunteer opportunity for families.
Participating parks:
Huron Hills Golf Course woods — Meet on Hunting Valley off Provincial Drive.
White Oak — Meet at the park entrance on White Oak Drive.
Hannah — Meet at the west end of Bath Street, off 7th, just north of Huron.
Black Pond Woods — Meet on Tibbits Court, off Pontiac Trail.
Huron Parkway — Meet at the park steward's house, 3470 Woodland Road, off East Huron River Drive.
Argo — Meet in the parking lot north of the Argo Canoe Livery, off Longshore Drive.
For this and all NAP 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. Stewardship workday events are free. No RSVP is necessary for these events, however if you have questions, or if you'd like to volunteer with your group of 10 or more, please contact NAP at 734.794.6627 or [email protected].
Garlic mustard was introduced from Europe in the mid-1800s for food and medicinal purposes. Garlic mustard has no natural predators or diseases in its non-native environment, is very adept at seed dispersal, and has a longer growing season than our natives. These characteristics contribute to garlic mustard's rapid spread at the expense of native biodiversity. Over time, its continued presence can result in a total loss of native ground cover in large areas, and a decrease in overall species diversity. With the help of volunteers, NAP is able to continue the fight against this herbaceous invasive plant! For more information about invasive, non-native plants at NAP's website, www.a2gov.org/NAP.
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. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
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