Archived News Release: August 6, 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 September are listed below.
For 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.
Learn more about NAP at www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Sunday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m.–noon
Oakwoods Nature Area
Shakespeare said that one touch with nature makes the whole world kin. We can honor the kin we lost on 9/11 by helping to restore the native nature of Oakwoods. Join in efforts to remove invasive shrubs such as buckthorn and honeysuckle so that the wildlife can thrive. Meet at the park entrance off Dunwoodie.
Sunday, Sept. 9, 1–4 p.m.
Arbor Hills Nature Area
The anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has been declared a day of service, for citizens to unite and improve their community. Arbor Hills Nature Area is a small park, but home to an intricate community of wetlands and woods. Come protect this unique area by removing threatening invasive shrubs. Meet at the park entrance on Ashburnham.
Bird Walk
Sunday, Sept. 9, 5–6:30 p.m.
Mary Beth Doyle Park
Join NAP's ornithologist, Juliet Berger, on a walk around this diverse park, which includes a storm water retention pond often frequented by migrating shorebirds. If there is mud around the pond, we may see killdeer, spotted sandpiper and other more exotic species. There may be migrating waterfowl on the pond as well. We'll also search for fall migrating songbirds in the woods. Bring binoculars if you have them, and be prepared for walking in potentially muddy areas. Meet us in the parking lot at the end of Birch Hollow Drive. No pets, please.
Tuesday, Sept. 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. Free! For more information, go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org. This month's topic: Ann Arbor's bees. Michigan is home to over 450 species of wild bees, and Ann Arbor's natural areas provide important habitat for many of these. Come learn about the diversity of wild bees in the area, their ecological importance and reasons for the declining populations of many bees. We'll discuss ways to manage lands to promote the wellbeing of wild bees and strategies for engaging the public in understanding and protecting these essential pollinators.
Sunday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m.–noon
Stapp Nature Area
Stapp Nature Area is a small park adjacent to the Traverwood Branch of the Ann Arbor District Library. It contains mature oak hickory forest and a vernal pond, as well as lovely trails for enjoying the plentiful frogs, toads, turtles and salamanders. Help us maintain this habitat by lopping and sawing non-native shrubs. Meet at the park sign at the corner of Huron Parkway and Tuebingen Parkway.
Sunday, Sept. 16, 1–4 p.m.
Foxfire West Nature Area
Foxfire West is a small but diverse park in the Traver Creek watershed. This high quality area is threatened by invasive species such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. Help NAP cut these shrubs to keep this ecosystem healthy. Meet at the park entrance on Birchwood Drive between Hickory Point Drive and Timbercrest Court.
Sunday, Sept. 23, 1–4 p.m.
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
National Public Lands Day is a day dedicated to volunteering in our nation's public lands. Kuebler Langford Nature Area features lush woodlands, dramatic ravines and a diverse array of rare plants and wildflowers. However, non-native shrubs are crowding out the native plants. Join us, using hand saws and loppers, to remove these shrubs and allow the native plants to flourish. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road.
Nature Walk with AADL
Thursday, Sept. 27, 6–7:30 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area
The trails at Marshall Nature Area wind through prairie, oak-hickory forest and an old pine plantation. Join NAP staff on a nature walk to learn about the native plants and animals that call this park home. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road. 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, Sept. 29, 9 a.m.–noon
Argo Nature Area
Argo Nature Area is a long narrow strip of forest that runs along the river, north of the canoe livery. It is home to many wildflowers, birds, bullfrogs and many invasive shrubs. Help to cut these shrubs to allow a more plentiful amount of native plants to grow. Meet in the parking lot north of the Argo Canoe Livery, off Longshore Drive.
Saturday, Sept. 29, 1–4 p.m.
Onder Nature Area
Onder Nature Area is a small neighborhood park featuring many black cherry and box elder trees as well as a few large oak trees. Help make it a beautiful day in the neighborhood by removing invasive shrubs harming the small oak savanna. Meet at the intersection of Hilldale Drive and Brookside Drive.
Sunday, Sept. 30, 1–4 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area
Nestled in the northeast part of the city is Marshall Nature Area, home to a variety of birds that nest in the oak hickory forest. Buckthorn and honeysuckle are crowding out the native plants needed to keep these birds singing. Join our team in removing these offenders while enjoying the song of the woods. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road.
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