Archived News Release: February 3, 2021 - 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. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Below are events planned for March 2021. Natural Area Preservation is continuing to closely monitor recommendations from city and other health officials. As a result, the events listed are subject to change in order keep volunteers and the public safe. Should it be prudent to make changes to the event schedule, updates will be made to the NAP website and anyone who had registered for events will be notified. Please visit www.a2gov.org/NAPevents for the most up-to-date information.
Volunteer Stewardship Workdays at NAP have changed in response to COVID-19. To attend a workday, participants must preregister using Rec-1 at https://tinyurl.com/NAPWorkdays, and wear a mask over their mouth and nose while maintaining a 6-foot distance from others at all times during the event. Workday participants are also asked to please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and leather work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Please register for each event by noon on the Friday prior to the weekend which it occurs. Direct links to each event in Rec-1 are provided below.
Saturday, March 6, Noon–2 p.m.
Learn how to help NAP monitor salamanders in Ann Arbor parks — there are five 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, early-spring nights and look under logs in the woods in spring and summer. Please register by March 3. For more information or to register call NAP at 734.794.6627, or email [email protected].
Saturday, March 6, 1–4 p.m.
Oakwoods Nature Area
You might never know from the unassuming entrances nestled among the quiet suburbs surrounding the park, but Oakwoods is a majestic oak and hickory forest ripe with softly rolling hillsides and small, peaceful ponds. Join NAP to protect and restore this natural area by removing invasive species from the park. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited: https://tinyurl.com/Oakwoo030621. Meeting location will be provided after registration.
Saturday, March 6, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to help monitor frog populations in Ann Arbor! No experience required! You will learn to identify frogs by ear and eye and will select a route to survey. Then, once monthly, March through June, you travel a route through the city at night, stopping to listen for frogs along the way. Most routes require driving. Please register by March 3. For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or email [email protected].
Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, March 9, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Zoom Meeting
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. Join the virtual discussion via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/SCZoom2021 or dial in at 888 788 0099 (Toll-free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll-free). Meeting ID: 921 6530 3767
This month's topic: Taking the long view on restoration, with guest Jason Frenzel from the Huron River Watershed Council.
Saturday, March 13, 1–4 p.m.
Onder Nature Area
Wander over to Onder and discover a small, but well-loved park in need of your assistance! This park is an important link in a series of parks that create a “green corridor" stretching from Black Pond Woods Nature Area to Barton Nature Area across the northern part of Ann Arbor. Join NAP to remove invasive species from the park to keep this corridor happy and healthy for park users and wild critters alike! Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited: https://tinyurl.com/Onder031321. Meeting location will be provided after registration.
Sunday, March 21, 1–4 p.m.
Lakewood Nature Area
Home to a rich understory of wildflowers, Lakewood Nature Area is truly a springtime gem! Join NAP to remove invasive species and keep the habitat open for these colorful treasures. Then, after you've left the workday, explore Lakewood and its next-door neighbor, Dolph Nature Area. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited: https://tinyurl.com/Lakewo032121. Meeting location will be provided after registration.
Saturday, March 27, 1–4 p.m.
Hansen Nature Area
Come see the trout lilies! Hansen Nature Area is a 9-acre goodie basket full to the brim with spring wildflowers and mixed hardwood forests, and it needs your help! Keep this park healthy by helping to remove invasive species. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited: https://tinyurl.com/Hansen032721. Meeting location will be provided after registration.
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