Archived News Release: July 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 parks. These tasks are performed by both staff and volunteers. Volunteer opportunities coming up in August 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.
More information about NAP can be found at www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Saturday, Aug. 3, 1–4 p.m.
Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area
The summer sun may be hot, but this 13-acre woodland provides plenty of shade. Japanese hedge parsley is one of the newer species to invade Washtenaw County, and it's threatening this high quality area. Assist NAP in pulling these plants and protecting the native habitat. Meet at the intersection of Birchwood Drive and Dhu Varren Road (map).
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, Aug. 10, 9 a.m.–noon
Olson Park
Olson Park has it all: a playground, a dog park, soccer fields and trails that wind through the woodlands and prairies. Take a walk on these trails, and you're sure to see plenty of butterflies and birds. Join NAP to remove invasive species from the prairie to preserve the native habitat. Meet at the park entrance on Dhu Varren Road, just east of Pontiac Trail (map).
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, Aug. 11, 9 a.m.–noon
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
The summer flowers are blooming in the prairie at Kuebler Langford Nature Area; and the shaded forest provides a respite from the heat. Come, spend a summer morning in this natural oasis. NAP will be pulling exotic plants, such as spotted knapweed, that threaten the native biodiversity. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road (map).
Tuesday, Aug. 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 — Rare plant locations: To share or not to share. The locations of rare plant species are often blocked from plant inventory websites or herbarium specimen websites. Blocking these locations may help slow down harvesting rare plants but it also blocks data that could be useful to scientists and amateurs that help conservation efforts. Should we share rare plant locations or block them?
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, Aug. 25, 9 a.m.–noon
Barton Nature Area
Barton Nature Area is one of the top butterflying spots in Ann Arbor. Many species seen here rely on native plants. Take part in the effort to protect butterfly habitat by pulling the non-native plant species. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map).
Nature Walk with NAP and Ann Arbor District Library
Thursday, Aug. 29, 6-7:30 p.m.
Cedar Bend Nature Area
Cedar Bend was Ann Arbor's first nature area, protected as a nature area in a time when manicured parks were the common practice. Join NAP for a family-friendly nature walk to explore this historic park overlooking the Huron River. Meet at the Island Park parking lot, at the end of Island Drive (map). Wear comfortable clothes and bring water if desired. The nature walks are a collaboration between the Ann Arbor District Library and Natural Area Preservation that take place once a month April through September.
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