Archived News Release: January 3, 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 February 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 (layered clothing is recommended in winter), bring a water bottle and 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.
World Wetlands Day
Saturday, Feb. 5
1–3 p.m.
Arbor Hills Nature Area
This nature area was an easy pick for NAP to celebrate World Wetlands Day! Frog and toad survey volunteers have identified six frog and toad species at Arbor Hills, all of which depend on the wetlands found in the park. During the winter months, NAP spends time removing invasive shrubs from wetland areas that are not otherwise accessible in warmer parts of the year. Join NAP to protect and improve this wetland habitat! Meet at the park entrance at the end of Ashburnam Road (map). 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. Register: http://tinyurl.com/ArborHills020522.
Tuesday, Feb. 8
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park Meeting Room
2150 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor
All are welcome to join this monthly discussion group where local stewards gather to ask and answer questions, swap stories, and share knowledge in an informal setting. This month's topic: Measuring progress. A Stewards' Circle member recently asked: How do we measure progress? Progress in restoration can feel elusive sometimes — how can we tell when we are making an impact? After the discussion group, join a happy hour just up the street at HOMES Brewery to further connect with other land stewards!
Tuesday, Feb. 15
7–8:30 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
Fire is used as a restoration tool in many of Ann Arbor's natural areas. This meeting will be a discussion about NAP's Controlled Ecological Burn Program. Ask questions and learn more about the benefits of effectively and safely using fire as a restoration tool.
To join the Zoom meeting via link: https://tinyurl.com/BurnMeeting021522. To join via telephone: +1 206 337 9723 or +1 213 338 8477 or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free). Meeting ID: 940 7724 0723. Passcode: 951554.
All persons are encouraged to participate in public meetings. Accommodations, including sign language interpreters, may be arranged by contacting the City Clerk's office at 734.794.6140; via email to: [email protected]; or by written request addressed and mailed or delivered to: City Clerk's Office, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Requests made with less than two business days' notice may not be able to be accommodated.
Controlled Burn Crew Training
Wednesday, Feb. 16
Noon–5 p.m.
Become a part of NAP's Volunteer Burn Crew! This is the required training session for anyone interested in assisting with NAP's controlled burns. Burns typically take place Monday through Friday between noon and 7 p.m. Registration through VolunteerHub is required by Feb. 15. Register at http://tinyurl.com/BurnCrew2022. Call 734.794.6627 or email [email protected] for more information. If held in-person, some portion of the training may be outdoors.
Saturday, Feb. 19
1–3 p.m.
Cedar Bend Nature Area
Cedar Bend Nature Area is one of Ann Arbor's oldest parks, dating back to the early 1900s. Enjoy the same scenic views of the Huron River that drew nature lovers to Cedar Bend over 100 years ago while helping to cut and remove invasive shrubs such as honeysuckle and buckthorn. Meet at the Island Park parking lot, at the end of Island Drive (map). 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. Register at http://tinyurl.com/CedarBend021922.
Sunday, Feb. 20
1–3 p.m.
Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area
“In winter, there is nothing better than two or three hours of buckthorn cutting." NAP happens to agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment from Scarlett Mitchell Park Steward Manfred Schmidt! If you're looking for ways to warm up and get a break from the winter monotony, consider joining NAP volunteers in the woods for the best winter activity of all — using loppers and handsaws to remove invasive shrubs from a local nature area. Meet in the Scarlett Middle School bus loop off Lorraine Street (map). 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. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Scarlett022022.
Saturday, Feb. 26
1–3 p.m.
Gallup Park
At this workday, participants will be expanding an existing area of wet prairie by removing invasive shrubs with handsaws and loppers. Wet prairie is native wetland grassland that occurs in certain areas with fluctuating water levels — and it also depends on fire to maintain open conditions and species diversity. Help make way for future controlled burns by removing the large invasive shrubs which are too big to burn, and which are crowding and shading native species. Meet in the Gallup Park parking lot, just over (south of) the wooden bridge (map). 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. Register at http://tinyurl.com/Gallup022622.
Sunday, Feb. 27
1–2 p.m.
Oakwoods Nature Area
A winter walk can be just the thing to lift our spirits and access the healing power of spending time with nature. Join NAP for the second of three winter walks. Oakwoods is a 55-acre woodland with upland forest, ponds, and wetlands where a wide variety of plant and animal species. The park has an impressive diversity of trees, such as oaks, hickories, ironwood, beech and basswood. Make sure to dress for the weather and bring a water bottle. Meet at the park entrance off Dunwoodie (map). Register at https://tinyurl.com/OakwoodsWalk022722.
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