Archived News Release: February 3, 2020 - 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 March are listed below. For stewardship workdays, please dress in layers and wear shoes suitable for snow or wet ground. 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.
Sunday, March 1, 1–4 p.m.
Black Pond Woods
Celebrate World Wildlife Day by volunteering to support wildlife! Join NAP to remove the non-native species threatening the area. Meet at Tibbits court (map).
Saturday, March 7, 1–4 p.m.
Barton Nature Area
Join NAP to cut invasive shrubs in this beautiful and unique nature area. Check out lovely views of the Huron River and Barton Pond as we make this park more suitable for the varied wildlife that calls Barton home. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map).
Sunday, March 8, noon –2 p.m.
Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.
Learn how to help NAP monitor salamanders in Ann Arbor's parks – there are 5 species here! Volunteers will select parks to survey and learn how to identify these rarely-seen amphibians. Must be willing to walk in the woods on rainy cold nights in early spring, and look under logs in spring and summer. Please register by March 5. Meet us at the Ann Arbor Senior Center (map). For more information or to register call NAP at 734.794.6627, or send us an email at [email protected].
Sunday, March 8, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.
Everyone is invited to help monitor frog populations in Ann Arbor! No experience is required Participants will learn to identify frogs by ear and eye, and will select a route to survey. Then, once per month, March through June, travel a route through the city at night, stopping to listen for frogs along the way. Most routes require driving. Please register by March 5. Meet at the Ann Arbor Senior Center (map). For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or email [email protected].
Tuesday, March 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: City Nature Challenge and iNaturalist
Saturday, March 21, 1–4 p.m.
Hannah Nature Area
Join NAP to maintain a lovely little neighborhood park. Hannah may be small but is full of many beautiful native plants. Please help take back the space from invasive shrubs! Meet at the entrance at the end of Bath Street (map).
Saturday, March 28, 10–11 a.m.
NAP Office, 3875 E. Huron River Drive
Do you like photography and spending time outdoors? Photo monitoring may be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! NAP needs volunteers to take photos at specific locations in parks throughout the year to record ecological changes and the progress of restoration work. Attend this informational meeting for details about this volunteer opportunity! Please register by March 25. Please meet at the NAP office (map). For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or email [email protected].
Saturday, March 28, noon–3:30 p.m.
NAP Office, 3875 E. Huron River Drive
This is for volunteers interested in leading and/or co-leading NAP volunteer stewardship workdays. The training will focus on procedures, ecological consideration and tips and tricks to lead a successful event. An interest and background in ecology (and plant ID) is strongly desired, but not required. A strong commitment to preserving the environment, while fostering community and engaging the public, is necessary. Participants should be dressed for classroom and possible field training. Minimum age of 18. Please register by March 25. Please meet at the NAP office (map). For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or email [email protected].
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