Archived News Release: April 6, 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 May 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, May 1, 9 a.m.–noon
Huron Parkway Nature Area
Did you know Mallett's Creek has 10 miles of open streams and serves as a drainage system for nearly 11 square miles of land in Ann Arbor and surrounding townships? Mallett's Creek flows along the eastern border of Huron Parkway Nature Area. Unfortunately, the park is threatened by invasive plants! Help restore this scenic nature area long Mallett's Creek by pulling invasive weeds. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/HuronP050121.
Saturday, May 1, 1–4 p.m.
Mary Beth Doyle Park
While most holidays celebrate something that has already happened, Arbor Day represents a hope for the future. Join NAP to remove non-native plants and to celebrate the community's hope for the future as modeled by one of Michigan's most prominent environmental advocates, Mary Beth Doyle. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/MaryBe050121.
Sunday, May 2, 9 a.m.–noon
Leslie Woods Nature Area
Leslie Park Golf Course is a City of Ann Arbor-owned and operated golf course, loved by many local golfers. What you may not know is that there is also a 23-acre nature area attached to the southeastern part of the property. Here you can find a mature oak-hickory forest dotted with vernal pools and bustling with native fauna. Help keep this small pocket of natural wonder healthy for wildlife and beautiful for golfers by pulling invasive plants. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Leslie050221.
Sunday, May 2, 1–4 p.m.
Argo Nature Area
Throughout May 2021, we will be celebrating Huron River Day! This annual event seeks to educate the community about the importance of water quality and Huron River preservation. The narrow strip of parkland that protects the Huron River just north of the Argo Canoe Livery needs your help! Invasive plants threaten the health of the river and push out beautiful native flowers that support butterflies and other pollinators. Join NAP to keep these natural treasures safe and healthy. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Argo050221.
Saturday, May 8, 9 a.m.–noon
Brokaw Nature Area
“It's a range of biodiversity that we care for — the whole thing — rather than just one or two stars," said nature journalist David Attenborough. NAP would love help in caring for all native flora and fauna at Brokaw Nature Area. This newer park has 126 recorded plant species that make up a complex and diverse wooded ecosystem on the northwest side of town. In order to maintain this resilient ecosystem, we need to remove aggressive non-native plants, that if left unchecked, will reduce the biodiversity of this woodland. Join NAP to pull these invasive weeds! Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Brokaw050821.
Saturday, May 8, 1–4 p.m.
Miller Nature Area
Park stewards of Miller Nature Area have banned together to improve the natural area in this neighborhood park. Spend an afternoon joining this effort by removing aggressive non-native plants to make more space for magnificent spring wildflowers such as trillium, Dutchman's breeches and bloodroot. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Miller050821.
Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, May 11, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Zoom Meeting
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. This month's topic: In 2018, Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC) installed a native plant and insect garden at the entrance of their Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve. Now in 2021, SMLC will be expanding on this project's success by converting the entrance lawn into a native prairie. Join this session to discuss the process of planning, funding, and implementing a formal garden installation and a small-scale natural community restoration. Julie McLaughlin is the stewardship and outreach manager for SMLC. Cathy Bach is a retired professor of ecology at Eastern Michigan University and a member of the Superior Township Chapter of SMLC. 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
Saturday, May 15, 9 a.m.–noon
Buttonbush Nature Area
Named for the dramatic thickets of buttonbush shrubs that bloom in the “inundated shrub swamp" in late July, Buttonbush Nature Area is only 2 years old — one of Ann Arbor's newest parks. Join NAP to remove non-native plants, and spend some time getting to know this new and unique park. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Button051521.
Saturday, May 15, 1–4 p.m.
Oakwoods Nature Area
After 25 years of restoration effort from the community, the flora and fauna at Oakwoods Nature Area are both diverse and beautiful. Join NAP to help keep up the fight against non-native plants and experience the woodland and wetland wonder for yourself. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Oakwoo051521.
Sunday, May 16, 1–4 p.m.
Cedar Bend Nature Area
Throughout May 2021, we will be celebrating Huron River Day! This annual event seeks to educate citizens about the importance of water quality and Huron River preservation. One of the oldest parks in Ann Arbor, Cedar Bend is home to a rich history of ecological restoration. Come be a part of that history on the Huron River, helping to remove garlic mustard and other springtime invasive weeds. More room will be made for the native flora and fauna to thrive. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/CedarB051621.
Garlic Mustard Weed Out WEEK
Saturday, May 22–Sunday, May 30
Sunrise to sunset
Garlic Mustard Weed Out is an annual tradition, and for the second year in a row, Weed-out Day is Weed-out Week! Garlic mustard is an aggressive invasive plant that can quickly crowd out native plant species and decrease biodiversity in the woods. Identifying and pulling garlic mustard is fun and easy for all ages, making this a great volunteer opportunity for families. AND — you can participate from anywhere! NAP is inviting the community to survey their own yards to find and remove target species, and spend some time pulling in your local City of Ann Arbor nature areas. Check out a2gov.org/gmwow for all the information to participate.
Stewardship Workday – World Biodiversity Day and Huron River Day
Saturday, May 22, 9 a.m.–noon
Bird Hills Nature Area
Help preserve the Huron River and celebrate World Biodiversity Day at Bird Hills! Bird Hills gives us the opportunity to view many different kinds of wildlife including reptiles, amphibians and tons of fascinating birds. Help NAP improve the habitat for these creatures — and protect the overall health of the river — by pulling spring invasive plants. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/BirdHi052221.
Butterfly Survey Kickoff
Saturday, May 22, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ann Arbor is home to 80 species of butterflies! Come learn NAP survey protocol and help search the prairies and woodlands for these beautiful insects throughout the summer. No experience in butterfly identification is necessary, though it is helpful. Please register by May 19 to [email protected] or call 734.794.6627.
Saturday, May 22, 1–4 p.m.
Barton Nature Area
Throughout May 2021, we will be celebrating Huron River Day! This annual event seeks to educate citizens about the importance of water quality and Huron River preservation. Join NAP to protect the woodlands, wetlands and prairies all battling aggressive non-native plants at Barton Nature Area — a location that is vital to protecting the Huron River. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Barton052221.
Sunday, May 23, 9 a.m.–noon
Black Pond Woods Nature Area
The woods surrounding Black Pond have so much to offer in the way of habitat. Come learn about the mysterious name of this natural area while removing non-native plants threatening the diverse native plants and animals that call Black Pond Woods home. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/BlackP052321.
Sunday, May 23, 1–4 p.m.
Onder Park
After 13 years of public workdays at Onder Park, volunteers have dramatically improved this “green corridor" and the habitat continuity it provides for nearby natural areas. Join NAP to continue this important work, by removing non-native plants and making way for native plants to re-establish. Preregistration through Rec1 is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Onder052321.
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