Archived News Release: December 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.
Below are the events NAP currently has planned for January 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 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. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
NAP 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 our volunteers and the public safe. Should it be prudent to make changes to our event schedule, we will update our website and notify anyone registered for events. Please visit www.a2gov.org/NAPevents for the most up-to-date information.
Leslie Woods Nature Area
Saturday, Jan. 8
1–3 p.m.
The diversity of plant species at Leslie Woods suggests that this site has remained undisturbed by farming or grazing. But like many other natural areas, threats to biodiversity still exist in the form of invasive plants at Leslie Woods. Join NAP volunteers in cutting and removing exotic shrubs and improving habitat for birds and other wildlife here. Meet at the park entrance at the north end of Upland Drive, north of Plymouth Road (map). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Register at http://tinyurl.com/LeslieWoods010822.
Tuesday, Jan. 11
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park Meeting Room
2150 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor
All are welcome to join this monthly discussion group where local stewards gather to ask and answer questions, swap stories, and share knowledge in an informal setting. NAP looks forward to chatting with you about how you “do" stewardship! This month's topic: Soil and invasives. Soil plays a vital role in ecosystem health, so one steward asks: What are invasive plants doing to the soil? After the discussion group, join a happy hour just up the street at HOMES Brewery to further connect with other land stewards!
Barton Nature Area
MLK Day of Service
Monday, Jan. 17
1–3 p.m.
In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a national day of service. Each year, on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is observed as a "day on, not a day off." MLK Day of Service is intended to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "beloved community." You're invited to help NAP protect and restore this nature area for the benefit of the whole community. 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. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Barton011722.
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
Saturday, Jan. 22
1–3 p.m.
Bush honeysuckle seemed like a good idea at the time — in the early 1800s it was introduced along with other honeysuckles as an ornamental and privacy shrubbery. But like many of the mistakes made by settlers in the area, bush honeysuckle has had a devastating effect. Attributes that were attractive when introduced — hardiness, quick growth, visually dense — are now the reasons bush honeysuckle pose one of the largest threats to the biodiversity of our natural areas as they crowd and shade native plants. Join NAP to cut and remove these invaders! Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road (map). Preregistration through VolunteerHub is encouraged; please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Kuebler012222.
Furstenberg Nature Area
Sunday, Jan. 30
1–2 p.m.
A winter walk can be just the thing to lift our spirits and access the healing power of nature. Join NAP for the first of three winter walks. Furstenberg Nature Area is a 38-acre park on Fuller Road, west of Gallup Park. Enjoy wetlands, woodlands, prairie and oak savanna on this nature walk with a staff naturalist from City of Ann Arbor NAP. Learn about native plants and trees, invasive plants, ecological restoration and lots more. Make sure to dress for the weather (layered clothing is recommend) and bring a water bottle. Meet at the Furstenberg parking lot off Fuller Road (map).
# # # # #
