How do I sign up to volunteer?
Pre-registration through
VolunteerHub is encouraged for workdays, so we can be as prepared as possible. Links to to register are in each event listed below, or go directly to our VolunteerHub page.
Youth Nature Programs: Michigan Mammal Homes (K-5)
Wednesday, January 29
2 - 3:30 p.m.
Gallup Park Meeting Room
Come build a home for a Michigan mammal! K-5 students and their families are welcome. We will learn which mammals live in Gallup Park and what kinds of home their live in for the winter. Create your own home out of paper and natural materials. Be prepared to go outside in all weather. Meet at the Gallup Park Meeting Room, in the Canoe Livery.
This event is for K-5 students accompanied by an adult. Younger and older siblings are welcome! Please dress to be prepared for all weather. Some trails at this park are unpaved and the group will briefly go off-trail. Registration is limited! Please preregister the adult(s) in your party and reserve slots for everyone joining you. Preregister at VolunteerHub. Feel free to call NAP for assistance at 734.794.6627 or email [email protected].
Youth Nature Program: Deer Detectives (K-5)
Friday, February 7
4 - 5:30 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area
Join us to discovery what deer are doing in winter! What do they eat, where do they sleep, how do they survive the cold? K-5 students and their families are welcome to join us for a mile hike on a hilly, dirt trail in Marshall Nature Area to learn all about these amazing animals! Meet at the parking lot off Dixboro Rd.
This event is for K-5 students accompanied by an adult. Younger and older siblings are welcome! Please dress to be prepared for all weather - boots, hats, and gloves strongly encouraged! Trails at this park are unpaved and the group will briefly go off-trail. There is no restroom at this park, and the entire program will be outdoors. Registration is limited! Please preregister the adult(s) in your party and reserve slots for everyone joining you. Preregister at VolunteerHub. Feel free to call NAP for assistance at 734.794.6627 or email [email protected].
Youth Nature Program: Wild Valentines (K-8)
Friday, February 14
10 - 11:30 p.m.
Burns Park Shelter
Create your own nature inspired valentines. K-8 student and their families are invited to get crafty with watercolors and colored pencils to make valentines to take home. All materials provided. Meet at the Burns Park shelter.
This event is for K-8 students accompanied by an adult. Younger and older siblings are welcome! Registration is limited! Please preregister the adult(s) in your party and reserve slots for everyone joining you. Preregister at VolunteerHub. Feel free to call NAP for assistance at 734.794.6627 or email [email protected].
Frog & Toad Survey Kickoff & Training
Saturday, March 1
Noon – 2 p.m.
Ann Arbor Senior Center
Everyone is invited to help monitor frog populations in Ann Arbor! No experience required! You will learn to identify frogs mainly by ear, optionally by eye, and chose an area of the city to survey. There are about 8 local species, each with very distinct calls which we will help you learn. This training is indoors at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, no special materials or gear needed. It will also be recorded, for those who can't attend in person. Register at VolunteerHub. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Salamander Survey Kickoff & Training
Saturday, March 1
3 – 5 p.m.
Ann Arbor Senior Center
Learn how to help NAP monitor salamanders in Ann Arbor's parks – there are 5 species here! Volunteers will select parks to survey and learn how to identify these rarely-seen silent amphibians. We'll try to find them on their annual breeding migration on spring nights, and later we'll look for them under logs in the woods. Volunteers will need to be able to walk off-trail in nature areas. This training is indoors at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, no special materials or gear needed. It will also be recorded, for those who can't attend in person. Register at VolunteerHub. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Youth Nature Program: River Ramble (K-5)
Friday, March 7
4 – 5:30 p.m.
Island Park Shelter A
Join us at Island Park to learn what is happening in the Huron River during winter! We'll explore the river at Island Park to look for fish, crayfish and macroinvertebrates like stoneflies and learn about how they survive the cold. We will go for a mile hike on an unpaved, hilly trail. Wear waterproof boots and dress for the weather! There is no restroom at this park, and the entire program will be outdoors. Meet at Island Park Shelter A, the first shelter you'll see when arriving at the park.
This event is for K-5 students accompanied by an adult. Younger and older siblings are welcome! Please dress to be prepared for all weather. Some trails at this park are unpaved and the group will briefly go off-trail. There is no restroom at this park, and the entire program will be outdoors. Registration is limited! Please preregister the adult(s) in your party and reserve slots for everyone joining you. Preregister at VolunteerHub. Feel free to call NAP for assistance at 734.794.6627 or email [email protected].
Nest Box Monitoring Training
Saturday, March 15
2 – 4 p.m.
Barton Nature Area
Join NAP Ornithologist Juliet Berger for a training on how to maintain, identify, and monitor the bird nests in birdhouses in our City parks. All are welcome to attend and help with this fun program.
Volunteers will monitor assigned nest boxes weekly. eBird will be used to keep lists of birds observed both at and apart from the nest boxes, volunteers will also maintain a record of nest box visits using the Michigan Bluebird Society reporting form. Tools and knowhow will be provided. This training will take place at Barton Nature Area.
We'll be looking at several types of nest boxes, and several varieties of bird nests so that we have experience in identifying them in the field. We have nest boxes in the prairies at Barton, where habitat favors Bluebirds and Tree Swallows, while other sites are best for Chickadees or House Wrens. Early spring is the best time to begin checking nest boxes, since Bluebirds will often start nesting in March. Participants are trained to watch for House Sparrow nesting and take steps to prevent it (removing nests and eggs).
Monitoring nest box sites requires walking on unpaved trails, going off trail, and some sites only offer street parking. Register at VolunteerHub. For more information contact [email protected].
Breeding Bird Survey Kickoff & Training
Thursday, April 17
7 – 9 p.m.
Join NAP Ornithologist Juliet Berger to learn about the 2025 Ann Arbor Breeding Bird Survey, which takes place in our nature areas.
We'll talk about eBird and how we use it to track our bird data, past and present. If eBird is new to you, please take this free eBird Essentials Course from Cornell Lab of Ornithology before we meet.
Participants must have some experience identifying our local nesting bird species by sight and sound. Come learn all about the birds of Ann Arbor and choose your favorite park for the Breeding Bird Survey! This training will also be recorded. Register at VolunteerHub.
Turtle Steward Kickoff & Training
Saturday, April 19
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor Senior Center
Help NAP search for turtles and maintain nesting habitat! 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! This training will also be recorded.
Open to anyone who can look for turtles. Suitable for families. Surveys can be done from the water. Register at VolunteerHub. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
