Archived News Release: June 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 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. NAP is sharing events planned for July 2022.
To attend a workday, participants are encouraged to preregister using VolunteerHub at http://vhub.at/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, participants are asked to please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if available. 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
Bluffs Nature Area
Saturday, July 9
9 a.m.–noon
Do you like to spend time in nature? NAP volunteers get to spend a whole morning outdoors and then go home knowing they made a difference to the environment. It's easy, fun and educational! NAP staff will teach volunteers how (and why) to identify and pull weeds that crowd out native plants. Meet at the entrance on Sunset Road near Wildt Street (map: tinyurl.com/BluffsSunset). 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. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Bluffs070922.
Stewardship Workday
Olson Park
Sunday, July 10
9 a.m.–noon
Olson Park was once a gravel pit, but is now a place to play soccer, ride a mountain bike or take a hike. It's also home to many butterflies including the declining Monarch. Invasive weeds are invading the open meadows, threatening pollinator habitats. Join NAP to pull these non-native plants. Meet at the entrance on Dhu Varren Road, just east of Pontiac Trail (map: tinyurl.com/OlsonParkingLot). 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. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Olson071022.
Stewardship Workday
Furstenberg Nature Area
Saturday, July 23
9 a.m.–noon
The prairie at Furstenberg Nature Area blooms with beautiful colors and is important habitat for many birds and pollinating insects. However, non-native species that provide little food for wildlife are crowding out native flowers. NAP to pull invasive species in order to allow the native plants to thrive. Please meet in the parking lot off of Fuller Road (map: tinyurl.com/FurstenbergParking). 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. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Furstenberg072322.
Stewardship Workday
Ruthven Nature Area
Saturday, July 23
1–4 p.m.
Are you looking for a way to make an impact? As the saying goes, “think globally, act locally." Volunteering with NAP is an easy way to support the local ecosystem. At a NAP workday, you'll spend a few hours out in nature learning how to remove invasive plants. Meet us at the southeast corner of Huron Parkway and Geddes Road (map: tinyurl.com/RuthvenCorner). 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. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Ruthven072322.
Stewardship Workday
Brokaw Nature Area
Saturday, July 30
1–4 p.m.
Trails in natural areas make it easier for people to enjoy nature, and they ensure the plants and animals living there can stay safe from disturbance. Help NAP maintain trails at Brokaw Nature Area by trimming back shrubs and widening overgrown areas. Meet us in the parking lot off West Huron River Drive just southeast of Wagner Road (map: tinyurl.com/BrokawHRD). 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. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and wear socks that close the gap between shoes and pants. Bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Register at tinyurl.com/Brokaw070322.
Summer Nature Walk
Sunday, July 31
Buttonbush Nature Area
This natural area was named for the large buttonbush swamp found here. Buttonbush is a 6- 12-foot shrub native to Michigan with long-lasting, unique, ball-shaped flowers. Sometimes resembling pincushions, the 1-inch blossoms can be white or pale pink. Check out a stunning display at this nature walk. Meet at the park entrance at the end of Hickory Point Drive (map: tinyurl.com/ButtonbushHickoryPoint). Make sure to dress for the weather (walks happen rain or shine) and bring a water bottle. The nature walks are a collaboration between the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) and NAP that 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/ButtonbushWalk073122
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