Archived News Release: July 7, 2023 - City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) works to protect and restore Ann Arbor's natural areas and to foster an environmental ethic within the community. 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 2023.
To attend a workday, participants are encouraged to preregister using VolunteerHub at https://cityofannarbor.volunteerhub.com/lp/nap; registration links to each event in VolunteerHub are also provided with each description.
All volunteers are asked to wear long pants, tall socks, and closed-toe shoes to NAP workdays. Tools and know-how provided. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023
9 a.m.–noon
Olson Nature Area
Olson Park was once a gravel pit, but is now a place to play soccer, ride a bike or take a hike. It's also home to many butterflies including the declining monarch. Non-native plants are invading the open meadows, threatening pollinator habitats. Help NAP remove these unwanted plants and improve habitat for butterflies and their friends. Meet at the entrance on Dhu Varren Road, just east of Pontiac Trail (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/OlsonParkingLot). Volunteers will use their hands to pull small-to-medium plants from the ground. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/Olson080523 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023
9 a.m.–noon
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
The summer flowers are blooming in the prairie at Kuebler Langford Nature Area, and the shaded forest provides a respite from the heat. Come and spend a summer morning in this natural oasis removing harmful invasive species, creating more space for native plants to thrive. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/KueblerBeechwood). Volunteers will use their hands to pull small-to-medium plants from the ground. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/Kuebler082023 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023
9 a.m.–noon
Gallup Park Wet Prairie
This high-quality sedge meadow is composed of perennial forbs, grass and sedge mixtures that grow in saturated soils. The native wetland plants — some quite rare — need help gaining a strong foothold to fend off invasion by exotic plants. Join NAP in protecting this unique area by removing these harmful invaders. Meet in the Gallup Park parking lot, just over the wooden bridge (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/GallupOvertheBridge). Volunteers will use their hands to pull small-to-medium plants from the ground. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister through at https://nap.a2gov.org/Gallup082623 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: https://nap.a2gov.org/WhatToWear (PDF).
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