Archived News Release: May 3, 2019 - 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's parks. These tasks are performed by both staff and volunteers. Volunteer opportunities coming up in June are listed below.
For all 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.
Find more information about NAP at www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m.–noon
Barton Nature Area
National Trails Day is dedicated to connecting more people to their local trails. The trails at Barton Nature Area wind through 83 acres of various habitats and provide great wildlife viewing opportunities. Lend a hand to maintain these trails so nature lovers can continue to explore this beautiful nature area. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map).
Saturday, June 1, 1–4 p.m.
Brokaw Nature Area
Celebrate National Trails Day by building trails through one of our newest nature areas. Brokaw Nature Area is a diverse park with seven species of oak. People will be able to enjoy this diversity along with views of the Huron River from the new trails. Meet at the park entrance on Huron River Drive just south of Wagner Road (map).
Bird Walk
Sunday, June 2, 7:30–9:30 a.m.
Wheeler Service Center, 4150 Platt Road
The fields at Wheeler Service Center are home to uncommon grassland birds, including bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks. We'll find these and other grassland species and look for waterfowl on the pond. Please come prepared to walk in fields of tall grass. Bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not required. Use the Platt Road entrance and look for us in the small parking lot at the first turnoff on the right (map).
Sunday, June 2, 9 a.m.–noon
Swift Run Marsh
Find your trail on National Trails Day! Swift Run contains a high quality prairie and a large pond that attracts many ducks, waders and shorebirds. Help trim the trails to allow access for birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts. Meet on Eddy Street, off of Verle Avenue (map).
Sunday, June 2, 1–4 p.m.
Bird Hills Nature Area
With 3.7 miles of trails, Bird Hills Nature Area is a wonderful place to take a hike. A variety of trees, wildflowers and rocks left by glaciers can be seen along these trails. Join us on National Trails Day in protecting and repairing the trail leading into the park. Meet at the Beechwood entrance off of Sunset Road (map).
Saturday, June 8, 1–4 p.m.
Onder Nature Area
It's National Get Outdoors Day, and what better way to get outdoors than volunteering? Onder Nature Area is a quiet neighborhood park with natural beauty. NAP needs help to keep invasive species from degrading this park. Spend the afternoon outdoors, meet new people and preserve nature. Meet on Brookside Drive, just west of Hilldale Drive (map).
Sunday, June 9, 9 a.m.– noon
Mary Beth Doyle Park
The oak-hickory forest at Mary Beth Doyle has a diverse array of wildflowers. NAP staff and volunteers have been hard at work to protect the biodiversity of these woods. But there is still work to do! Join in to continue the restoration by removing non-native species such as bittercress. Meet at the parking lot off Packard Road, across from Easy Street (map).
Tuesday, June 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: Planning native plantings. We've all spent time removing non-native plants, but what about planting natives? Let's discuss developing and implementing planting plans. Bring your feedback on what works and what doesn't.
Mayor's Green Fair
Friday, June 14, 6–9 p.m.
Main Street between Huron Street and William Street
The City of Ann Arbor Mayor's office is hosting the 18th annual Mayor's Green Fair to celebrate our community's environmental leadership as exhibited by citizens, nonprofits, government and businesses. Ann Arbor's downtown Main Street will be closed to car traffic between Huron and William streets, remaining open for pedestrians. Green Fair guests will enjoy displays of environmental information, "green" products, live music and the general urban outdoor environment. Information, entertainment and hands-on activities for all ages will be provided. Come visit us at NAP's table!
Saturday, June 15, 9 a.m.–noon
Furstenberg Nature Area
As spring turns to summer, the native garden begins to bloom. Work with park steward and master gardener Aunita Erskine to maintain the garden, which showcases the beauty of native plants. Formal gardening not your thing? We'll also be working to remove invasive species in other areas of the park. Meet in the parking lot off Fuller Road (map).
Saturday, June 15, 1–4 p.m.
Forest Nature Area
Forest Nature Area is connected to and shares trails with Parker Mill County Park. This floodplain forest is home to native water-loving plants, which are threatened by invasive species such as bittercress. Join NAP and Washtenaw County Parks for a joint workday to pull non-native plants in this special park. Meet in the Parker Mill parking lot, off Geddes Road, ¼ mile east of Dixboro Road (map).
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, June 16, 1–4 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area
The songs of birds will greet you at Marshall Nature Area. Over 120 species have been spotted in this woodland. Help us care for this habitat by removing aggressive non-native plants. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road (map).
Stewardship Workday- National Pollinator Week
Saturday, June 22, 9 a.m.–noon
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
Under NAP's care a prairie has been restored to this once-disturbed site. Butterflies, bees and other pollinators live in this habitat. Celebrate National Pollinator week by improving their home. Team up with NAP to remove invasive species, such as sweet clover, to keep the native prairie plants thriving. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road (map).
Stewardship Workday- National Pollinator Week
Sunday, June 23, 1–4 p.m.
Olson Park
Pollinator Week is an international celebration of the services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles. Olson Park is home to a variety of pollinators, including the uncommon wild indigo duskywing butterfly. Help provide quality habitat for pollinators by removing non-native plants. Meet at the park entrance on Dhu Varren Road, just east of Pontiac Trail (map).
Nature Walk with NAP and Ann Arbor District Library
Thursday, June 27, 6–7:30 p.m.
Barton Nature Area
The habitats at Barton Nature Area are home to butterflies, birds, frogs and turtles. Join us on a family-friendly walk to explore the prairies, woodlands and along the river. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map). 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.
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, June 29, 1–4 p.m.
Barton Nature Area
A tallgrass prairie with 6-foot-tall big bluestem grass can be found along the railroad tracks at Barton Nature Area. Non-native species, such as sweet clover, are threatening the quality of this rare ecosystem. Lend a hand pulling these invasive plants to protect the native prairie species. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map).
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