Archived News Release: October 8, 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 events currently planned for November 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, the website will be updated and registered participants will be notified. Please visit www.a2gov.org/NAPevents for the most up-to-date information.
Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021
9 a.m.–noon
Lakewood Nature Area
Among the many animals and plants that have been spotted at Lakewood is the Cooper's Hawk, an agile woodland raptor. Cooper's Hawks hunt for their food by flying fast along the ground and then popping up over an obstruction to surprise their prey on the other side. They have even been known to pursue prey on foot! Lakewood has a lot of food to offer these fascinating birds, so join NAP to remove invasive exotic shrubs that threaten the habitat depended-upon by Cooper's Hawks and other native species. Meet at the park entrance on Sunnywood Drive (map: https://goo.gl/maps/tB8xzz2uXEGzD6jR6). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Lakewood110621
Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021
9 a.m.–noon
Foxfire South Park
This park is almost entirely wetlands, furnishing habitat to some locally uncommon species. Especially appealing to amphibians and reptiles, Foxfire South needs some help from NAP volunteers to thwart invasion of exotic shrubs. Join in to cut and remove such threats, like buckthorn and honeysuckle. Meet at the Dhu Varren Nature Area entrance on Dhu Varren Road (map). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at https://tinyurl.com/FoxfireS110721
Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021
1-4 p.m.
Barton Nature Area
Wild seed collection is one of the easiest conservation activities you can do with NAP. It's appropriate for all ages, and with more than 250 native plant species recorded at Barton, it's an optimal place for NAP to collect wild seeds. NAP strives to collect and disperse seeds from local genotypes so that planted seeds are more likely to adapt and create a successful habitat. During this workday, participants will also be cutting and removing invasive shrubs. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Barton110721
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 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: perils of working in nature — “How have you successfully (or unsuccessfully) avoided stings and bites? What kinds of precautions do you take to avoid overwork, dehydration and minor injury? What kind of close calls have you experienced that made you change the way you work outdoors?" After the discussion group, join a happy hour just up the street at HOMES Brewery to further connect with other land stewards!
Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021
9 a.m.–noon
Berkshire Creek Nature Area
This 5-acre park of mature oak-hickory woodland was acquired by the city in 2004 to aid in the restoration of the Mallett's Creek watershed. Since then, truly impressive restoration efforts by neighbors and other volunteers have transformed the park. At this workday, participants will be using handsaws and loppers to cut and remove invasive shrubs, continuing the work started by these ardent and devoted neighbors. Meet at the end of Warwick Road, off Glenwood north of Washtenaw Avenue (map: https://goo.gl/4rfgjx). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Berkshire111321
Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021
1-4 p.m.
Furstenberg Nature Area
Whether you're picnicking, hiking or paddling by, Furstenberg has a lot of wildlife to appreciate. Native plants are a cornerstone to natural communities, allowing insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and other organisms to thrive. At this workday, participants will be collecting wild seeds from native plants — an easy, all-ages activity that is educational, while at the same time provisioning future restoration efforts. Participants will also be using handsaws and loppers to cut and remove invasive shrubs. Meet at the parking lot off Fuller Road (map). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Furstenberg111321
NAP's 28th Anniversary
Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021
9 a.m.–noon
Black Pond Woods Nature Area
Celebrate NAP's 28th anniversary with us at Black Pond Woods! Leslie Science and Nature Center was the home of the NAP offices for several years, allowing staff to engage daily with the adjacent Black Pond Woods. More than 50 species of trees can be found here, and many birds, frogs, and salamanders depend on BPW for habitat. Help protect and maintain this important resource by removing invasive shrubs from the woods. Meet on Tibbits Court, off Pontiac Trail (map). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/BlackPond111421
NAP's 28th Anniversary
Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021
1-4 p.m.
Bluffs Nature Area
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. Celebrate NAP's 28th anniversary while removing invasive shrubs such as honeysuckle. Meet at the entrance on Sunset Road near Wildt Street (map: https://goo.gl/PpN5CT). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Bluffs111421.
Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021
1-4 p.m.
Bird Hills Nature Area
It's easy to forget you're in the city in this 146-acre woodland. This quiet oasis is home to birds, frogs, deer, and a wide variety of trees and wildflowers. Native species here need help fending off invasive shrubs that serve little benefit and overtake natural habitat. Join the effort to restore this previously logged and farmed woodland by removing invasive shrubs like buckthorn and honeysuckle. Meet at the Newport Road parking lot, just north of M-14 (map). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/BirdHills112021
Family Volunteer Day
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021
9 a.m.–noon
Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, what better way to show gratitude for A2's beautiful natural areas than by helping to improve the biodiversity of Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area, a park beloved by all ages. #FamilyVolunteerDay celebrates families that work together to improve their communities. Bring your family and join the NAP family in removing invasive shrubs, providing better native habitat for wildlife. Meet in the Scarlett Middle School parking lot off Lorraine Street (map). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Scarlett112121.
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