Archived News Release: July 8, 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 August 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 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, please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, bring a water bottle and gardening gloves. 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
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
Sunday, Aug. 7
9 a.m.–noon
Since the time of its acquisition, Kuebler Langford has been a park of importance to the people of Ann Arbor. As this natural area continues to recover from top-soil removal and compaction from the 1970's, park users are left with areas of stunning prairie and forests. Because Kuebler Langford was fought for and won by the people of Ann Arbor, this is an opportunity for the community to contribute to the ongoing effort to bring health and beauty back to this natural area. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road (map: tinyurl.com/KueblerBeechwood). 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/Kuebler080722.
Stewardship Workday
Bandemer Park
Saturday, Aug. 13
9 a.m.–noon
Join Natural Area Preservation (NAP) at this 38-acre hub of outdoor recreation for a morning of removing invasive species. While you're here with NAP, perhaps you'll be inspired to return and utilize the disc golf course or watch the rowers glide across the Huron River. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Lake Shore Drive, off Main Street (map: tinyurl.com/BandemerLakeShore). 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/Bandemer081322.
Stewardship Workday
Olson Park
Saturday, Aug. 13
1–4 p.m.
For those who have ever wondered how much a place can recover after being mined and even dumped on, the answer can be found in the 54-acres of land known as Olson Park! This park will give you an up-close look at just how important the work of volunteers is to Ann Arbor's natural areas. This park is now home to a variety of amazing species of birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Join NAP for a day of removing invasive species and maybe encounter interesting wildlife in the process! 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/Olson081322.
Stewardship Workday
National Honey Bee Day
Gallup Park
Saturday, Aug. 20
9 a.m.–noon
There's a lot of buzz surrounding this workday at Gallup Park! It's #NationalHoneybeeDay, after all! This day brings awareness to the bee industry and the beekeeping community. Honey bees are more than just honey-makers, they are one of the many pollinators folks can support by removing invasive plants from the park. Meet in the Gallup Park parking lot, just over the wooden bridge (map: tinyurl.com/GallupBridgeParking). 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/Gallup082022.
Stewardship Workday
Barton Nature Area
Saturday, Aug. 27
9 a.m.–noon
Located along the Huron River, this park is home to an interesting phenomenon known as the Barton Oxbow. This U-shaped bend in the river suggests a few ideas about the history of this area before it was farmed. Though likely prairie and oak savanna in the past, Barton Nature Area now has a diversity of plant communities, from wet meadow to dry prairie to emergent marshland. When volunteering at a workday here, you're likely to encounter a wide array of flora to admire and help protect. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map: tinyurl.com/BartonParkingLot). 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/Barton082722.
Summer Nature Walk
Sunset Brooks Nature Area
Sunday, Aug. 28
1–2 p.m.
Come out for a nature walk through the rolling woods and wetlands of Sunset Brooks Nature Area. Though small, this park has a number of interesting and uncommon species within. Remember to bring your binoculars, too, as you may encounter some of the birds which call this park home. Make sure to dress for the weather (walks happen rain or shine) and bring a water bottle. Meet at the park entrance on Sunset Road, at the end of Brooks Street (map: tinyurl.com/SunsetBrooksSunset). The nature walks are a collaboration between the Ann Arbor District Library 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/SunsetWalk082822.
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