Archived News Release: November 9, 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 the NAP events currently planned for December 2021. To attend a workday, participants are encouraged to preregister using VolunteerHub at http://vhub.at/NAP, links to each event in VolunteerHub are provided below. At all NAP workdays, please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, bring a water bottle and gloves; stay home if you are feeling unwell.
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, NAP will update its website and notify anyone registered for events. Please visit www.a2gov.org/NAPevents for the most up-to-date information.
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, 1-4 p.m.
Buttonbush Nature Area
This park is named for the glorious buttonbush swamp that has remained mostly intact since at least the 1940s. The buttonbush swamp, the forest — dominated by oaks and hickories — and the vernal pools provide habitat for all kinds of interesting species. Join NAP to cut and remove invasive shrubs from areas that might be difficult to reach in warmer months. Meet at the park entrance at the end of Hickory Point Drive. Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Buttonbush120421
Stewardship Workday
World Soil Day
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, 1-4 p.m.
Brokaw Nature Area
Soil is home to more than ¼ of our planet's biodiversity! Soil organisms are responsible for many critical ecosystem processes, on which humans depend: from supporting plant growth to storing carbon. Soil biodiversity is truly a nature-based solution to climate change. Join NAP to support healthy soils in our parks on WorldSoilDay by removing invasive shrubs like buckthorn, which can have a long-lasting negative effect on soil health. Meet in the parking lot off of West Huron River Drive, just southeast of Wagner Road. Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Brokaw120521
Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, 5:30–6:30 p.m. (followed by happy hour nearby)
Veterans Memorial Park Meeting Room
Introducing a whole new Stewards' Circle! For the last 10 years, the Huron Arbor Cluster of the Stewardship Network has been gathering monthly with a local expert to answer your questions; now it's time to flip the script! You are invited to join in at the newly renovated Veterans Memorial Park meeting room to share your experiences and learn from your peers. This month's topic: winter restoration. “What types of restoration work have you done in the winter? What are you trying to accomplish before spring? What techniques have you found most useful and fun through the short, cold days?" After the discussion group, join the happy hour just up the street at HOMES Brewery to further connect with other land stewards!
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