Archived News Release: February 6, 2023 - 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 parks. These tasks are performed by both staff and volunteers. NAP is sharing events planned for February and March 2023.
To attend a workday, participants are encouraged to preregister using VolunteerHub at https://cityofannarbor.volunteerhub.com/lp/nap; registration links to each event in VolunteerHub are also provided with each description.
All volunteers are asked to wear long pants, tall socks, and closed-toe shoes to NAP workdays. Tools and know-how provided. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
Public Meeting: Controlled Burn Program
Wednesday, February 15
7 to 8:30 p.m.
NAP Office, 3875 E Huron River Drive
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 (http://a2gov.org/NAPBurn). 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 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.
Controlled Burn Crew Training
Thursday, February 16
Noon to 5 p.m.
Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Rd
Become a part of NAP's Volunteer Burn Crew! This is the required training session for anyone interested in assisting with NAP's controlled burns. Burns typically take place Monday through Friday between noon and 7 p.m. Pre-registration through VolunteerHub at https://nap.a2gov.org/BurnTraining2023 is required by February 15. For more information, call 734.794.6627 or email [email protected]. A portion of this training will be outdoors - regardless of the weather! Please come prepared with appropriate outerwear.
Salamander Survey Kickoff and Training
Sunday, March 5
Noon to 2 p.m.
Online
Learn how to help NAP monitor salamanders in Ann Arbor's parks – there are 5 species here! Volunteers will select parks to survey and learn how to identify these rarely seen silent amphibians. Volunteers must be willing to walk in the woods on rainy cold spring nights and look under logs in the woods during the day, once a month in spring, summer, and fall. Pre-register for the training: https://nap.a2gov.org/SalTraining2023.
Frog & Toad Survey Kickoff and Training
Sunday, March 5
2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Online
Everyone is invited to help monitor frog populations in Ann Arbor! No experience required! You will learn to identify frogs by ear and eye. There are about 8 local species, with very distinct calls. You have a choice of routes to survey. Once per month, March through June, you'll travel your route through the city after dark, stopping to listen for frogs at designated points along the way and recording which species you hear and how loud their chorus is. Most routes require driving, but some points can be reached by bike or on foot. Pre-register for the training: https://nap.a2gov.org/FrogTraining2023.
Photo Monitoring Kickoff and Training
Saturday, March 11
10 to 11 a.m.
Online
Do you like photography and spending time outdoors? NAP needs volunteers to take photos at specific locations in parks throughout the year to record ecological changes and the progress of NAP's work. Join this informational meeting to learn how to become a photo monitor and sign up for your favorite park! Pre-register for the training: https://nap.a2gov.org/PhotoTraining2023.
Stewardship Workday
Hansen Nature Area
Saturday, March 18, 2023
9 a.m. to noon
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, then come back in 4-5 weeks to check out the amazing flower display. Meet at the Grace Bible Church additional parking lot at 1300 South Maple Road, 1/3 mile south of West Liberty. Pre-register through VolunteerHub at https://nap.a2gov.org/Hansen031823 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. Tools and know-how provided! For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks, and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
Bluffs Nature Area
Sunday, March 19, 2023
1 to 4 p.m.
Bluffs Nature Area is a diverse park containing a wooded ravine, an open prairie, and an oak-hickory forest. This once-disturbed site is now home to a prairie and many butterflies and insects. With such diversity, Bluffs is a must-explore for any nature lover. Help protect biodiversity at Bluffs by joining NAP to remove invasive shrubs such as honeysuckle. Meet at the park entrance on Orkney Drive (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/BluffsOrkney). Pre-register through VolunteerHub at https://nap.a2gov.org/Bluffs031923 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. Tools and know-how provided! For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
World Water Day
Furstenberg Nature Area
Saturday, March 25, 2023
9 a.m. to noon
UN World Water Day 2023 (https://www.worldwaterday.org/) is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. And because water affects all people, everyone who is able needs to take action for #WorldWaterDay. That means you! You and your family, school and community can make a difference by helping protect and restore natural areas that store and filter water. Join NAP to remove invasive shrubs from Furstenberg to keep the Huron River healthy! Meet in the Furstenberg parking lot off Fuller Rd (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/FurstenbergParking). Pre-register through VolunteerHub at https://nap.a2gov.org/Furstenberg032523 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. Tools and know-how provided! For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
World Water Day
Braun Nature Area
Saturday, March 25, 2023
1 to 4 p.m.
Mallett's Creek flows through Braun Nature Area, and the root systems of the prairie plants growing along the stream here are essential to controlling soil erosion and filtering water. The UN's #WorldWaterDay (https://www.worldwaterday.org/) is a day of action to ensure clean water and sanitation for all – do your part to and work with NAP clear away invasive shrubs that threaten prairie plants and the watershed. Meet at the park entrance on Chalmers Dr (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/BraunChalmers). Pre-register through VolunteerHub at https://nap.a2gov.org/Braun032523 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. Tools and know-how provided! For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
Barton Nature Area
World Water Day
Sunday, March 26, 2023
1 to 4 p.m.
The Huron River is one of the most beloved natural features in Ann Arbor and supports many unique plant communities along its banks. Take action for #WorldWaterDay (https://www.worldwaterday.org/) and support the health of the river at Barton Nature Area. Barton's beautiful, riverside meadow needs your help – join other volunteers in cutting invasive shrubs in this unique nature area. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (https://nap.a2gov.org/BartonParkingLot). Pre-register through VolunteerHub at https://nap.a2gov.org/Barton032623 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. Tools and know-how provided! For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
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