Archived News Release: August 2, 2024 - 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 also offers environmental education and enrichment activities for kindergarten- fifth-grade students, seniors and the general public. NAP is sharing events planned for September 2024.
To attend an event, 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.
Stewardship Workday
Dhu Varren Nature Area
Saturday, Sept. 7
9 a.m.–noon
What has big, smelly leaves, “perfect" flowers, sprawling suckers and can be found at Dhu Varren Naure Area? Find out when you join NAP for some shady September stewardship! A native understory plant, it is often found in moist, deep, rich soils like those at Dhu Varren. Invasive plants threaten the habitat of this distant relative to one of the oldest flowering plants in North America, that also can produce some delicious fruit. Help support this curious “dog-eared" plant (and other native plants and animals) by removing invasive shrubs. Meet at the intersection of Birchwood Drive and Dhu Varren Road. Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister through VolunteerHub 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: How to prepare for a NAP workday (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
Patriot's Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance
Huron Parkway Nature Area
Wednesday, Sept. 11
1-4 p.m.
As stewards of Ann Arbor's natural areas, NAP volunteers serve the greater community by bolstering the local ecosystem, maintaining and expanding access to quality experiences in nature and strengthening bonds through volunteerism. Commemorate this Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance with NAP by working together to clean up foliage and make way for native plants to flourish. Meet at the Park Steward's house—3470 Woodland Road, off East Huron River Drive. Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister through VolunteerHub 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: How to prepare for a NAP workday (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
Argo Nature Area
Sunday, Sept. 15
9 a.m.–noon
Argo Nature Area provides hikers with breathtaking views of the Huron River and riverside habitat for native plants and animals. The slopes on the north end of the park are slowly, steadily being cleared of invasive shrubs by volunteers who want to help native plants and animals have a place to survive and thrive. Join in on the fun of cutting invasive shrubs with other motivated folks while enjoying the view! Meet on Longshore Drive at Amherst Avenue. Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister through VolunteerHub 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: How to prepare for a NAP workday (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
National Cleanup Day
Olson Nature Area
Saturday, Sept. 21
1-4 p.m.
National Cleanup Day, in concert with the United Nations's World Cleanup Day, sets out to engage community members in cleaning up waste like trash and litter — so NAP is expanding the definitions to include invasive plants! What could be more trashy than rapidly spreading shrubs that threaten the ecosystem? Join other community members to clean up natural habitat and help spread awareness of the need for clean and invasive-free natural areas. Meet at the entrance on Dhu Varren Road, just east of Pontiac Trail. Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister through VolunteerHub 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: How to prepare for a NAP workday (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
Hickory Nature Area
FRIDAY, Sept. 27
1-4 p.m.
One of the newest city nature areas in Ann Arbor, Hickory is ready for help from volunteers. Many native tree species call Hickory home like — you guessed it — hickories! Also you'll find oaks, ironwood and hackberry trees along with trillium and prickly gooseberry. Spend your Friday afternoon helping remove invasive shrubs that divert sunlight, water, air and nutrients away from the native plants and their wildlife friends. Meet at the park entrance on Dillon Drive. Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister through VolunteerHub 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: How to prepare for a NAP workday (PDF).
Stewardship Workday
National Public Lands Day
Ruthven Nature Area
Saturday, Sept. 28
9 a.m.–noon
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994, this celebration brings out thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country. NPLD is special because it provides all lovers of the environment an opportunity to show our appreciation for these precious natural resources through stewardship. Join NAP at Ruthven on NPLD to cut and remove invasive shrubs. Meet at the park entrance off Huron Parkway. If driving: park at the Gallup launch parking lot, then follow the park path and use the crosswalk to get to the Ruthven Huron Parkway entrance (look for the NAP truck). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister through VolunteerHub 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: How to prepare for a NAP workday (PDF).
Park millage renewal on Nov. 5 General Election ballot
The 2025–2044 Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage renewal proposal is set to appear on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot, asking Ann Arbor voters to decide whether to continue supporting the Ann Arbor park system. If passed, the renewed millage would continue funding park system enhancements, repairs, NAP programs and restoration for the next 20 years. The millage renewal proposal remains for 1.10 mills and does not pose an increase; the rate would remain the same as the millage that is expiring this year. Visit parks online for answers to frequently asked questions, to learn about projects and activities funded through the current and past millages and much more. Additional questions — or interest in scheduling a parks and recreation informational presentation for your neighborhood or community organization this summer or fall — can be directed to [email protected].
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