Archived News Release: November 4, 2019 - 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. Volunteer opportunities coming up in November are listed below.
If participating in stewardship workdays, please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. All participants must complete a release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks and know-how provided.
For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m.–noon
Miller Nature Area
Miller Nature Area is a natural oasis, beloved by neighbors. The mature trees are a great place to watch birds. Help NAP make the neighborhood more beautiful by removing invasive species and making room for more native plants. Meet us at the Arborview Boulevard entrance, just east of Wildwood Avenue (map).
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, Dec. 8, 1–4 p.m.
Sugarbush Park
The natural area at Sugarbush Park may be small, but it has some unique features including a pawpaw grove. Join NAP to remove non-native shrubs such as buckthorn and honeysuckle to help this native habitat thrive. Meet between the two cul-de-sacs on Yellowstone Drive, just north of Bluett Road (map).
Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Bruegger's Bagels, 709 N University Ave.
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. This month's topic: Goatscaping at Gallup Park. “Goatscaping" is a way to address poison ivy, overgrown brush and invasive plants in non-chemical ways. This past summer, Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation used goats to control plants on two islands at Gallup Park. Come learn about this pilot project, its goals and results, and what happens next.
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