Archived News Release: June 7, 2022 - City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) will host two events to celebrate the Pollinator Partnership's National Pollinator Week. Every year in June, for one week, organizations all around the country raise awareness for pollinators, their importance to our ecosystem, how to reduce our impacts to pollinators, how to improve their habitat, and other ways to get involved.
Animal pollinators, including bees, butterflies, beetles, bats and birds, are responsible for the reproduction of 75% of flowering plants. Pollinators contribute to ecosystem health and a sustainable food supply. Pollinator Week is dedicated to uniting the nation around the issue of pollinator conservation. This year, Pollinator Week is June 20–26. For more information on nationwide events, visit www.pollinator.org. To get involved locally, join NAP for one of these workdays in Ann Arbor's pollinator habitats.
Saturday, June 25
Dolph Bioswale and Natural Area
9 a.m.–noon
Pollinators would love help on this Saturday morning. In fact, hand-pulling invasive weeds at Dolph will support pollinators, and everyone! By removing aggressive non-native plants like garlic mustard and dame's rocket, volunteers will free up resources for the native plants that pollinators visit. When pollinators have good habitat, all the other organisms in the ecosystem benefit. A small group will also care for the bioswale on the east side of the park (near Parklake Avenue and Lakeview Drive). Within the bioswale, volunteers will be removing invasive plants and giving some needed attention to the space. Meet at the trailhead off Parklake Avenue, just south of Lakeview Drive (map: tinyurl.com/DolphParklake). This workday is organized by the City of Ann Arbor in collaboration with the Water Resources Commissioner's Office. Register at tinyurl.com/Dolph062522.
Saturday, June 25
Lakewood Nature Area
1–4 p.m.
Lakewood pollinators have a unique and locally rare plant species to enjoy, the Kentucky coffee-tree (Gymnocladus dioicus). The seeds of this member of the legume family were once used to make a weak coffee substitute. Come out for an afternoon of hand-pulling invasive weeds that crowd and outcompete the native plant species that pollinators need to survive. Volunteer with NAP for the pollinators! Meet at the park entrance on Sunnywood Drive (map: tinyurl.com/LakewoodSunnywood). Register at tinyurl.com/Lakewood062522.
For all NAP volunteer events, 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 bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided.
Established in 1997, Pollinator Partnership (P2) is the largest 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the health, protection, and conservation of all pollinating animals. P2's actions for pollinators include education, conservation, restoration, policy, and research. P2's financial support comes through grants, gifts, memberships, and donations from any interested party. P2's policies are science-based, set by its board of directors, and never influenced by any donor. For more information visit www.pollinator.org.
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 parks. Both staff and volunteers perform these tasks. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
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