Archived News Release: September 10, 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 community. This involves conducting plant and animal inventories, ecological monitoring and stewardship projects in Ann Arbor's parks. NAP is releasing its schedule for October. These tasks are performed by both staff and volunteers. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
The City of Ann Arbor and NAP will be monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and will be following both the governor's orders and recommendations from the Washtenaw County Health Department. As a result, the events scheduled are subject to change in order keep volunteers and the public safe. Should it be prudent to make changes to the event schedule, NAP will provide updates via website at www.a2gov.org/NAPevents and notify anyone who registered for events.
To attend a volunteer workday, participants must preregister using Rec-1at https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog by noon on the Friday prior to the weekend which it occurs, and wear a mask while maintaining a 6-foot distance from others at all times during the event. Participants should also wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and leather work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Links to each event in Rec-1 are provided with each event listing. Meeting location will be provided after registration.
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, Oct. 4, 1–4 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area
Join NAP in one of Ann Arbor's largest parks for a Sunday afternoon of volunteering for nature. Several trails popular with hikers and runners alike loop through the hills and slopes of the park and lead to Washtenaw County's Freeman Preserve. There is plenty of nature to protect and restore in this park, and NAP needs help removing invasive shrubs from the area. Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyMTMwOTA=.
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.–noon
Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area
Because this park spans 25 acres, NAP is offering two simultaneous workdays to remove invasive shrubs and improve the habitat for the birds, reptiles and amphibians who call this area home. Those who would like to work on the west side of the park, use this link to register: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyMTMyMTk=. If the east side is more your style, use this link: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyMTMyODg=.
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, Oct. 10, 1–4 p.m.
Mary Beth Doyle Park
Join NAP at this expansive park with a beautiful pond for an afternoon of shrub cutting. Renamed for Mary Beth Doyle, a local environmentalist and activist, restoration efforts in this park continue her legacy and provide a natural oasis for the surrounding neighborhoods. Help NAP as we continue to ecologically restore the park. Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyMTMzNjI=
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, Oct. 11, 1–4 p.m.
Huron Parkway Nature Area
Join NAP to cut invasive shrubs from this oak-hickory woodland. Catch views of Mallet's Creek, a pond and a wetland full of wildlife as this beautiful area is restored. Controlled burns have been used to control the invasive shrubs in this park in previous years. As NAP wasn't able to conduct a spring burn season this year, this area especially needs help in getting rid of invasive shrubs. Register here:
https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyMjcwNzU=
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.–noon
Stapp Nature Area
Don't let the cooling weather “Stapp" you from participating in outdoor volunteer opportunities! Meet NAP in this oak-hickory woodland to experience a morning full of colorful autumn leaves while protecting the beloved natural areas. Stapp Nature Area is home to a vernal pool, which is important habitat for salamanders and other critters like frogs and toads. Volunteers will help improve this key habitat for our reptile and amphibian favorites. Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyMjcwOTg=
Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Virtual, on Zoom
Are you interested in learning more about how to care for 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, visit www.stewardshipnetwork.org, and find the link to the Zoom meeting on the calendar of events at www.a2gov.org/NAPevents. This month's topic: Fall and Winter Bird Watching at Home and in Ann Arbor's Parks.
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, Oct. 17, 1–4 p.m.
Leslie Woods Nature Area
Leslie Woods is perhaps one of the nicest parks Ann Arbor has to offer, and it has been so for a very long time. The diversity of plant species here suggests that this site has remained undisturbed by farming or grazing, but now it's being threatened by invasive species! Join NAP to keep this park safe from harm by cutting invasive shrubs in the area, allowing for the great plant diversity to thrive and grow. Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyMjcxMzI=
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, Oct. 18, 1–4 p.m.
Black Pond Woods Nature Area
Join NAP in braving the shady slopes of Black Pond Woods to fight back against invasive shrubs threatening the health of this unique park. Located adjacent to the Leslie Science and Nature Center, this site is used for education efforts and visiting groups to explore. Help make this an even better place to learn and grow in nature. Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyMjcxNjk=
Public Meeting: Controlled Burn Program
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7–8:30 p.m.
Fire is used as a restoration tool in many of Ann Arbor's natural areas. This meeting will be a discussion about NAP's Controlled Ecological Burn Program. Ask questions and learn more about the benefits of effectively and safely using fire as a restoration tool. All persons are encouraged to participate in public meetings. Accommodations, including sign language interpreters, may be arranged by contacting the Ann Arbor City Clerk's office at 734.794.6140; via email to: [email protected]; or by written request addressed and mailed or delivered to: City Clerk's Office, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Requests made with less than two business days' notice may not be able to be accommodated.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://a2gov.zoom.us/j/93564271984?pwd=UkdXYkMwdVdodzdVK2swSU1teGxRUT09
Passcode: 296115
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +12063379723,,93564271984# or +12133388477,,93564271984#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 206 337 9723 or +1 213 338 8477 or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 935 6427 1984
International numbers available: https://a2gov.zoom.us/u/a4loSfGs6
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, Oct. 25, 1–4 p.m.
Narrow Gauge Way Nature Area
Come visit a beloved neighborhood park known for its precious geologic features. Between 10,000 and 16,000 years ago, the advancing and retreating of glaciers across the land created features known as a kames. Narrow Gauge Way has one of these kames, which is a sand and gravel hill deposited from an ice sheet. Enjoy views of this natural wonder while removing invasive shrubs from the park. Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyMjcxODg=
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