Archived News Release: September 7, 2022 - City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) works to protect and restore Ann Arbor's natural areas and to foster an environmental ethic within the community. 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. NAP is sharing events planned for October 2022.
To attend a workday, participants are encouraged to preregister using VolunteerHub at https://cityofannarbor.volunteerhub.com/lp/nap; links to each event in VolunteerHub are also provided with each description.
NAP is continuing to closely monitor recommendations from city and other health officials. As a result, the events planned 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. Visit www.a2gov.org/NAPevents for the most up-to-date information.
At all NAP workdays, please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, bring a water bottle and leather work gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Stay home if you are feeling unwell. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Stewardship Workday
Buttonbush Nature Area
Saturday, Oct. 1
9 a.m.–noon
Named appropriately for the large buttonbush swamp within, Buttonbush Nature Area is a beautiful and important park in Ann Arbor. Many species, including frogs and salamanders, call this natural area home, while other wildlife use this park as a corridor to other habitats. Join NAP for a morning of removing invasive species from Buttonbush Nature Area to help promote both native flora and fauna. Meet at the park entrance at the end of Hickory Point Drive (map: tinyurl.com/ButtonbushHickoryPoint). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Buttonbush100122.
Stewardship Workday
Dhu Varren Nature Area
Saturday, Oct. 1
1–4 p.m.
A hilly park that speaks of the area's glacial past, dotted with oaks and hickories, Dhu Varren is another unique Ann Arbor treasure. A workday of cutting and removing invasive plants here offers the opportunity to experience open woodlands and a large, beautiful wetland. Come walk the natural trails and help NAP continue to keep Dhu Varren's native wildlife thriving! (And don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for those glacial erratics!) Meet at the intersection of Birchwood Drive and Dhu Varren Road (map: tinyurl.com/DhuVarrenBirchwood). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/DhuVarren100122.
Stewardship Workday
World Habitat Day
Berkshire Creek Nature Area
Sunday, Oct. 2
9 a.m.–noon
Tucked away behind Whole Foods and Berkshire Creek Condos, off Huron Parkway, Berkshire Creek is a little-known natural area. With 120 native species in the park, maintaining robust native plant communities to restore and protect the ecosystems of the adjacent Malletts Creek is a priority. Join NAP to cut and remove invasive shrubs for World Habitat Day. The urban green spaces that NAP and volunteers steward in Ann Arbor are part of the “human habitat" that everyone has a responsibility to protect and conserve. Meet at the end of Warwick Road off Glenwood, north of Washtenaw Avenue. Please park on Glenwood (map: tinyurl.com/BerkshireWarwick). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Berkshire100222.
Stewardship Workday
World Habitat Day
Huron Parkway Nature Area
Sunday, Oct. 2
1–4 p.m.
Despite its proximity to a major roadway, Huron Parkway Nature Area is a pretty place to wander through the woods. Malletts Creek flows along the eastern border, and scenic overlooks of the channel can be found here. Cutting and removing invasive shrubs is an opportunity to support the larger habitat for fellow humans on World Habitat Day. This day is a reminder that all have the power and responsibility to protect and conserve natural resources. Meet at the park steward's house at 3470 Woodland Road, off East Huron River Drive (map: tinyurl.com/HuronParkwayWoodland). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/HuronParkway100222.
Stewardship Workday
Barton Nature Area
Saturday, Oct. 8
9 a.m.–noon
October is a wonderful time to witness the diverse flora that Barton Nature Area has to offer. From the moisture-loving Joe-pye-weed of the wet meadows to the big and little bluestems of the dry prairie, when you visit Barton, you know you're in for a treat. This natural area has come a long way since 1960, when it was purchased from Detroit Edison, and there is still lots to be accomplished. Your help in restoring Barton Nature Area — by cutting and removing invasive shrubs — is what continues to invite special species of birds, butterflies and mammals, and it will help keep this unique park healthy for years to come. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map: tinyurl.com/BartonParkingLot). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Barton100822.
Stewardship Workday
Bandemer Park
Sunday, Oct. 9
1–4 p.m.
Do you like butterflies? Did you know that, in southeast Michigan, some species of butterflies can be seen through October? Though we often associate butterflies with summer, question marks, red admirals, tortoiseshells and other species of butterflies can be seen flitting around prairies and woodlands even now! During a workday of cutting and removing invasive shrubs at Bandemer Park, you may see some butterflies visiting the fall-blooming asters and goldenrods. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Lake Shore Drive, off Main Street (map: tinyurl.com/BandemerLakeShore). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Bandemer100922.
Stewardship Workday
Redbud Nature Area
Saturday, Oct. 15
9 a.m.–noon
There is something magical about Redbud Nature Area — maybe because it's the last undeveloped area along Malletts Creek, maybe it's the giant skunk cabbages that decorate the mucky soil, or maybe it's the presence of the largest group of redbud trees of any Ann Arbor park. Redbud trees are best known for their spring beauty, but did you know the bark and roots of this tree were traditionally used to treat cold and flu symptoms? The redbud tree is the perfect symbol for this small but mighty park — branches tender enough for deer to eat but with a large taproot that protects it from wind, storms and ice. Join other volunteers in cutting and removing invasive shrubs here. Meet at the park entrance at the intersection of Parkwood Avenue and Jeanne Street (map: tinyurl.com/RedbudParkwood). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Redbud101522.
Stewardship Workday
Folkstone Park
Sunday, Oct. 16
9 a.m.–noon
If you enjoy the crisp air of an autumn morning and the festival of autumn colors, join this workday at Folkstone Park to cut and remove invasive shrubs. The oak-hickory forests are certain to delight, no matter where they are in their fall color change! Who knows, you may even get to see the frogs of the wetland before the autumn chill has them tucked away for the year! Meet at the park entrance at the north end of Folkstone Court (map: tinyurl.com/FolkstoneFolkstone). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Folkstone101622.
Stewardship Workday
Make a Difference Day
Stapp Nature Area
Saturday, Oct. 22
9 a.m.–noon
What better day to join NAP than Make a Difference Day! Started in 1992, this day has continually been the largest day of community service for over 20 years. There are so many great ways to make a difference in your community, like removing invasive species to help both human and natural communities! When you volunteer at Stapp Nature Area, you help keep salamander, frog and floral communities healthy and thriving. Meet at the park sign at the corner of Huron Parkway and Tuebingen Parkway (map: tinyurl.com/StappTuebingen). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Stapp102222.
Stewardship Workday
Bird Hills Nature Area
Sunday, Oct. 23
1–4 p.m.
No need to chase the fall colors all the way to the UP — just join NAP for a workday at Bird Hills! This hilly park offers magnificent views of the sweeping forest and of the Huron River from a variety of vantage points. Thank the glaciers for providing such rich topography, resulting in one of the most scenic workdays NAP offers. Enjoy the view while removing invasive shrubs with NAP. Meet at the Newport Road entrance, just north of M-14 (map: tinyurl.com/BirdHillsNewport). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Bird102322.
Stewardship Workday
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
Sunday, Oct. 30
1–4 p.m.
Join NAP for a fa-BOO!-lous workday at Kuebler Langford! The fall-flowering shrub, witch-hazel, is just one of a variety of beautiful native plants at this 31-acre nature area. At this workday, give the native plants a treat by cutting and removing invasive shrubs. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road (map: tinyurl.com/KueblerBeechwood). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and leather gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Kuebler103022.
Autumn Nature Walk
Sunday, Oct. 30
Marshall Nature Area
1–2 p.m.
Lace up your BOOts and join NAP for an autumn nature hike in beautiful, wooded Marshall Nature Area. Featuring oaks, hickories, maples and beeches along gently rolling hills, this park is a great place to experience a variety of fall floral favorites and perhaps catch a glimpse of the tail end of some avian migration. Meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Road, north of Plymouth Road (map: tinyurl.com/MarshallDixboro). Make sure to dress for the weather (walks happen rain or shine) and bring a water bottle. Nature walks are a collaboration between the Ann Arbor District Library and Natural Area Preservation and take place once a month. Some of AADL's Science Tools will be available for use during the walk! Registration is strongly encouraged so NAP can accommodate everyone! Register at tinyurl.com/MarshallWalk103022.
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