Workday Leader Annika demonstrates shrub ID at Oakridge, March 6.
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Introducing: Deputy Manager Remy Long
Greetings NAP Community:
It's possible that I am not a familiar face for many, despite working with the City for the last three years. That will change quickly as I join the NAP community in this new and expanded Deputy Manager position overseeing NAP, land acquisition, and sustainability at Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Reading Dave's farewell message, I was reminded of his perseverance and leadership as NAP's “acorn" emerged as the thriving oak it is now. His dedication and vision took NAP beyond natural areas management and grew it into an entire community. Dave leaves behind an enduring legacy of service and stewardship in both this community and our landscape.
His words also had me thinking about the other efforts that grew beside NAP's oak in a forest of conservation efforts. Led by the City, Washtenaw County, and regional partners like Legacy Land Conservancy and the Huron River Watershed Council, these efforts built an ecosystem of conservation work that reflects this community's deep conservation ethic.
The City is responsible for two of the most impressive land conservation efforts in that wider ecosystem: NAP and the Open Space & Parkland Preservation Program (Greenbelt). The visionary success of these two programs show what cities are capable of when they invest in land conservation. My aim is to advance and evolve these programs to improve the City's conservation outcomes. I look forward to championing NAP's work through new partnerships, and using its critical role and staff expertise to benefit the entire ecosystem of conservation work in our area.
As a first step in our work together, I want to share a little about myself and my prior conservation work. For the last three years I've worked for The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit contracted by the City to administer all aspects of their Open Space & Parkland Preservation program – commonly known as the Greenbelt. In addition to managing the day-to-day land and easement acquisitions, I've focused much of my energy on grant writing to support the City's acquisitions and strengthening relationships with our partners – most recently by securing a $7.4M federal grant to support land conservation efforts across several agencies. I've also worked to find new metrics to align Greenbelt outcomes with the City's A2Zero initiative and help the public better understand the value of the Greenbelt's investments in regional land conservation. To this end, a carbon storage analysis tool was recently developed in partnership with UM School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). The tool provides new context for the City's acquisition efforts, such as the Greenbelt-supported acquisition of 220-acres in Northfield Township. Beyond grants and metrics, I've spearheaded the City's development of an innovative acquisition framework that can support affordable farmland purchasing opportunities for new, beginning, socially disadvantaged, and historically underserved farmers in our region. If successful, this would be a first-of-its-kind model in Michigan that could be replicated by conservation agencies across the state, and could help foster a new generation of agricultural activity in our region.
Prior to working with the City, I spent a few years supporting, then managing, land and easement acquisitions at Legacy Land Conservancy while also earning my graduate degree from UM SEAS. And before starting a career in land conservation, I spent three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa, where I worked primarily in agroforestry and apiculture. Those years spent beneath the blistering sun, planting thousands of trees, and grimacing from bee venom, were some of my most formative conservation experiences. Paired with re-reading Aldo Leopold and other leaders of conservation thought, I returned to the US with a visceral land ethic.
All of these experiences – local or global, communal or individual – have provided me context for the distinct honor I have been given to serve NAP in this expanded role advancing the City's larger conservation mission. I look forward to working with all of you to protect and enhance the quality of our conservation community.
Remy Long (he/him)
Parks & Recreation Services Deputy Manager – Natural Area Preservation, Land Acquisition and Sustainability
City of Ann Arbor
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Burn Boss Mike walks along Huron River Drive at the South Pond burn, March 17.
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NAPpenings
The Stewardship Network's Stewards' Circle
Tuesday, April 12, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park Meeting Room, 2150 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor
The Stewardship Network hosts this monthly discussion group where local people who care about the land (like you!) gather to ask and answer questions, swap stories, and share knowledge in an informal setting. This month's topic: What plants do we want more of? A Steward brought up this helpful way to reframe the discussion: Instead of talking about what invasive plants we want to get rid of…what native plants do we want more of? What native plants have played important roles in your restoration work? What are your favorite native plants? After the discussion group, join us for a happy hour just up the street at HOMES Brewery to further connect with other land stewards!
Staff and volunteers at the first burn of 2022, at Kuebler Langford.
Staff Updates
Welcome…
Travis Wilcox
Conservation Worker
Travis was born and raised in Michigan, and attended Western Michigan University where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Geography and Environmental Sciences in 2019. Travis worked for the Michigan DNR as a Forest Health Technician to protect the forests of West Michigan from the catastrophic damages caused by the invasive insect, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, and the deadly tree pathogen, Oak Wilt Disease. Travis is excited to work with the NAP Crew and explore all that Ann Arbor has to offer.
Remy Long
Parks & Recreation Services Deputy Manager – Natural Area Preservation, Land Acquisition and Sustainability
Remy joins us in the newly expanded role of Deputy Manager overseeing NAP, land acquisition, and sustainability at Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. He spent the last three years working for The Conservation Fund on the City's Open Space & Parkland Preservation program – commonly known as the Greenbelt. Read more from Remy in his introduction above. Welcome to the NAP Family, Remy!
Murphy Harrington
Conservation Worker
After living in the Ann Arbor area for 4 years, I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve the community and these beautiful natural areas. I'm currently pursuing a master's degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at BGSU! When I'm not in the field obsessing over birds and mushrooms, you can find me paddling along the Huron River or re-watching the X-Files.
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Workday Leader Training, March 20.
Volunteers at Barton, March 13.
Thank you!
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Many thanks to the groups who volunteered with NAP recently. We could not make such a difference without you!
- EMU Eagle Corps
- EMU Delta Zeta
- UM Beta Alpha Ro
- UM Kappa Alpha Pi
- UM Tau Beta Pi
Volunteers at Foxfire West, March 12.
Events
Breeding Bird Survey Kickoff
Thursday, April 14
7 to 9 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
Learn how to survey for breeding birds in Ann Arbor's parks! Volunteer to help us with Ann Arbor's Breeding Bird Survey. Learn how we use eBird to record survey results, sign up to survey your favorite park, hear about last year's survey, and access the survey materials. Note that experience in bird identification is necessary, and you must be able to identify birds by sight and sound in order to participate in this survey. Register at https://tinyurl.com/BBSKickoff22.
Turtle Survey Kickoff
Saturday, April 23
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
At least 6 species of turtles live and nest in the city, maybe more! Help us maintain and protect nest sites, monitor populations, and look for turtles in habitats along the Huron River and nearby waters! We'll help you learn species identification, nest maintenance and monitoring, and how to report your turtle observations. And yes, you can survey for turtles while paddling down the river on a sunny morning! Register at https://tinyurl.com/TurtleKickoff22.
Earth Day Stewardship Workdays
Join us for one of these workdays in honor of #EarthDay22!
- Saturday, April 23
- Sunday, April 24
Spring Nature Walk with AADL
Mary Beth Doyle Park
Sunday, April 24, 2022, 1-2 p.m.
Spring is a wonderful time to visit Mary Beth Doyle Park. Spring rains turn the forest floor into a carpet of wildflowers. Join us on a family-friendly nature walk through this beautiful park. Meet at the parking lot off Packard Road, across from Easy Street. 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 and Natural Area Preservation 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 we can accommodate everyone! Register at https://tinyurl.com/MBDWalk042422.
Volunteer Stewardship CalendarCheck out our volunteer opportunities and other events at a2gov.org/NAPEvents, and register at tinyurl.com/NAPVolunteerHub
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Burn trailer at South Pond burn, March 17.
NATURAL AREA PRESERVATION NEWS
VOLUME 28, NUMBER 4 – APRIL 2022
A2GOV.ORG/NAP – [email protected] – 734.794.6627
