Ann Arbor Times

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 September 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, Sept. 9, 2023

9 a.m.–noon

Dhu Varren Nature Area

Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area is a 13-acre woodland on the city's north side. The beech, maple, oak and hickory trees provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. Help NAP continue restoration in this area by reducing the number of invasive species in the woodland. Meet at the intersection of Birchwood Drive and Dhu Varren Road (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/DhuVarrenBirchwood). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/DhuVarren090923 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For 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, Sept. 10, 2023

1–4 p.m.

Hickory Nature Area

Natural areas like Hickory provide an oasis amidst urban development. Big or small, these areas can make a big difference to wildlife as well as the people that live nearby. Help NAP restore this newer park so more native plants can thrive and provide food and habitat for wildlife. Meet at the park entrance on Dillon Drive (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/HickoryDillon). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/Hickory091023 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For 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).

Fall Shorebird Walk

Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023

1–4 p.m.

Mary Beth Doyle Nature Area

The mitigation wetland at Mary Beth Doyle is home to breeding shorebirds, Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers and migrating shorebirds like Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers and more. And this is prime migration time! Join NAP's ornithologist, Juliet Berger, and other enthusiastic bird watchers for a tour of this bird-rich nature area. The paths around the wetlands are wheelchair accessible, but not the wooded area. Participants will search the ponds for these species, and others, like the secretive Black-crowned Night-herons that are believed to nest nearby.  If time permits, the group will search the woods and trails for migrating Warblers and other songbirds. Please bring binoculars and spotting scopes to see the birds up closer. Some binoculars will be available to lend. For 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). Space is limited, so please cancel your registration if you find you are unable to attend.

Stewardship Workday for the National Day of Service and Remembrance

Monday, Sept. 11, 2023

9 a.m.–noon

Olson Nature Area

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 National Day of Service and Remembrance by clearing out invasive shrubs and making room for native plants to flourish. Meet at the entrance on Dhu Varren Road, just east of Pontiac Trail (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/OlsonParkingLot). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/Olson091123 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For 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).

Volunteer Appreciation Party!

Friday, Sept. 15, 2023

5–8 p.m.

Island Park, Shelter B

Please join NAP at the annual volunteer appreciation event to celebrate achievements this past year! NAP will have food, fun activities, door prizes and a welcome from Remy. Meet us at Island Park Shelter B (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/IslandShelterB). Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/party2023 so NAP can plan enough fun for everyone. Bring the family!

Stewardship Workday

Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023

1–4 p.m.

Lakewood Nature Area

Lakewood Nature Area is a 7-acre woodland, with many late summer wildflowers. Connecting to Dolph Nature Area, it is also an excellent place to birdwatch. Help NAP ensure the health of the ecological communities here by removing invasive species. Meet at the park entrance on Sunnywood Drive (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/LakewoodSunnywood). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/Lakewood091723 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For 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, Sept. 23, 2023

9 a.m.–noon

Barton Nature Area

Because of the many ecosystems found at Barton Nature Area, this park has a high diversity of native plants. However, encroaching invasive species can threaten native plants and animals. Join NAP to spend a few hours removing these invasives and enjoying the natural beauty of the park. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/BartonParkingLot). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/Barton092323 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For 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, Sept. 23, 2023

1–4 p.m.

Bluffs Nature Area

Home to many trails, with access to a small prairie tucked away within the oak-hickory woods, Bluffs is around 40 acres of beautiful Michigan habitat. Under NAP's care, prairie plants and oak seedlings are establishing here after many years of disturbance. Continue the restoration work with NAP by reducing the number of non-native species. Meet at the park entrance on Orkney Drive (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/BluffsOrkney). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/Bluffs092323 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For 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, Sept. 24, 2023

9 a.m.–noon

Kuebler Langford Nature Area

The natural areas in this part of town are connected by wooded areas, and this large forest offers habitat that smaller parks can't on their own. Help protect the plants and animals that depend on these woods by removing the invasive species threatening their habitat. Meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Drive, north of Sunset Road (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/KueblerBeechwood). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/Kuebler092423 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For 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, Sept. 24, 2023

1–4 p.m.

Fuller Park

Explore this hidden gem — a floodplain forest along the Huron River right near downtown tucked between soccer fields and Island Park. The many water-loving plants here help mitigate flooding downstream. Much restoration work has been done recently to help this natural ecosystem flourish, and volunteers can help continue that effort by removing invasive shrubs and giving native plants a chance. You may even get to meet the resident fisherman — he's quiet but very focused! Meet at the Island Park parking lot, at the end of Island Drive (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/IslandParkLot). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/Fuller092423 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For 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, Sept. 30, 2023

9 a.m.–noon

Ruthven Nature Area

NAP staff and volunteers have put in years of hard work to restore the native plant communities here, removing invasive shrubs that have a negative impact on wildlife habitat. Come out to continue this important work so more native plants can thrive. Meet at the park entrance off Huron Parkway (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/RuthvenCorner). If driving: park at the Gallup boat dock 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 https://nap.a2gov.org/Ruthven093023 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, Sept. 30, 2023

1–4 p.m.

Huron Parkway Nature Area

Autumn is a great season to explore Ann Arbor's natural areas. Join us to enjoy the autumn colors while removing invasive plants, which will allow more native plant species to become established. Meet at the Park Steward's house, 3470 Woodland Road, off East Huron River Drive (map: https://nap.a2gov.org/HuronParkwayWoodland). Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off trail. Preregister at https://nap.a2gov.org/HuronParkway093023 so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For 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).

Original source can be found here.