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 parks. With tasks performed by both staff and volunteers, NAP is sharing events planned for April 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

Braun Nature Area

Sunday, April 7

1-4 p.m.

Malletts Creek runs through Braun Nature Area on its way to South Pond and the Huron River. The Huron River Watershed Council describes the Mallets creek shed as having less than 8% natural lands! Braun's natural areas protect the creek — and the Huron River — from the negative effects of stormwater, runoff like excess phosphorus and other pollutants. Volunteer with NAP to remove exotic plants and help native plants thrive so they can soak up rainwater and runoff, filter pollutants and provide wildlife habitat. Meet at the park entrance on Chalmers Drive. Depending on the weather, volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs or pull herbaceous weeds from the ground. 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 safety, volunteers should 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

Folkstone Park

Saturday, April 13

9 a.m.-noon

The undeveloped area that comprises Folkstone Park was set aside by developers as the surrounding area was being built up with housing. Fairly wet and heavily wooded, we can be thankful that it was unattractive for development. Despite being disturbed by the installation of utilities, this little haven still holds valuable habitat for wildlife and provides a bit of nature for neighbors. Volunteers are needed to join NAP for a morning in the woods to remove exotic plants that don't serve the remaining natural communities. Meet at the park entrance at the north end of Folkstone Court. Depending on the weather, volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs, and pull herbaceous weeds from the ground. 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 safety, volunteers should 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

Riverwood Nature Area

Sunday, April 14

1-4 p.m.

Riverwood Nature Area is a somewhat small park, at fewer than 5 acres, and it lies between residential areas and M-14. So how much nature can be found at Riverwood? With a beautiful display of blossoms from spring to fall, a collection of mature native trees, and wildlife that enjoys the habitat they provide, controlled burns are one of the management tools NAP engages to keep this spot healthy, along with work from volunteers removing invasive plants. Meet at the park sign on Riverwood Drive, just west of Newport Road. Depending on the weather, volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs, and pull herbaceous weeds from the ground. 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 safety, volunteers should 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

Earth Day

Bird Hills Nature Area

Saturday, April 20

9 a.m.-noon

Bird Hills Nature Area was the site of NAP's first workday in 1994, and work there continues to keep the 146 acres healthy. The hilly terrain features several different plant communities. Volunteers are invited to join the effort in honor of Earth Day 2024 to restore this previously logged and farmed woodland by removing invasive species such as garlic mustard. Hardcore volunteers can stick around for the double-header event in the afternoon! Meet at the entrance on Bird Road, west of Huron River Drive (additional parking in Barton Nature Area dam entrance). Volunteers will pull invasive weeds from the ground by hand. 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 safety, volunteers should 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

Earth Day

Bird Hills Nature Area

Saturday, April 20

1-4 p.m.

Join nature lovers, volunteering enthusiasts, and hardcore Bird Hills fans for the second of two work events today! In honor of Earth Day 2024, NAP is hosting a double-header at the largest natural area in the park system. The wildlife and native plants at this quiet oasis will be well on their way to thriving after volunteers remove invasive plants like dames rocket. Meet at the entrance on Bird Road, west of Huron River Drive (additional parking in Barton Nature Area dam entrance). Volunteers will pull invasive weeds from the ground by hand. 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 safety, volunteers should 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).

Turtle Steward Kickoff and Training

Saturday, April 20

1:30-3:30 p.m.

Help NAP search for turtles and maintain nesting habitat! At least six species of turtles live and nest in the city, maybe more. Help NAP maintain and protect nest sites, monitor populations and look for turtles in habitats along the Huron River and nearby waters. NAP will help volunteers learn species identification, nest maintenance and monitoring, and how to report turtle observations. And yes, you can survey for turtles while paddling down the river on a sunny morning! Register through VolunteerHub. Open to anyone who can look for turtles. Suitable for families. Surveys can be done from the water. This training will also be recorded.

Stewardship Workday

Earth Day

Mary Beth Doyle Park

Sunday, April 21

9 a.m.-noon

It's another Earth Day at Mary Beth Doyle Park! NAP will be out this morning to celebrate nature and all its wonders while putting in the work to help protect the natural oasis that is Mary Beth Doyle Park. Join other volunteers in the forest to pull invasive weeds to make way for the explosion of native spring wildflowers and honor the planet that gives them to us. Meet at the corner of Butternut Street and Cardinal Avenue. Volunteers will pull invasive weeds from the ground by hand. 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 safety, volunteers should 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

Earth Day

Cedar Bend Nature Area

Sunday, April 21

1-4 p.m.

The Earth Day 2024 celebration continues at Ann Arbor's oldest park! The Ann Arbor community has enjoyed this “natureful" public resource since 1900, and it's all of our jobs to make sure it stays vibrant and thriving. Alongside other volunteers, you can show your commitment to the health of the global ecosystem by removing invasive weeds by hand. Meet NAP at the Island Park parking lot, at the end of Island Drive. Volunteers will pull invasive weeds from the ground by hand. 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 safety, volunteers should 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).

Earth Day Celebration

Leslie Science and Nature Center

Sunday, April 21

This free, family-friendly event features displays from local environmental, nonprofit and government organizations. For more information, visit www.lesliesnc.org/a2earthday.

Weekday Stewardship Workday

Lakewood Nature Area

Friday, April 26

1-4 p.m.

It's another Friday afternoon of volunteering with NAP, this time at Lakewood Nature Area. Do you have some time to give to nature at the end of your week? The native plants and wildlife at Lakewood would love to have some help. These 7 acres will be host to a lovely display of native wildflowers (they may be already popping up!) as long as volunteers show up to make space by removing invasive weeds like dames rocket. Meet at the park entrance on Sunnywood Drive. Volunteers will pull invasive weeds from the ground by hand. 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 safety, volunteers should 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

Global Youth Service Days

Argo Nature Area

Saturday, April 27

9 a.m.-noon

Bring your young family members and friends out to volunteer for this Global Youth Service Days event at Argo Nature Area! This volunteer opportunity is for all ages, especially the young-at-heart. NAP will be at this beautiful riverside natural area removing invasive weeds by hand. This action directly impacts the natural habitat for native wildlife and supports the health of the Huron River. Meet on Longshore Drive at Amherst Avenue. Volunteers will pull invasive weeds from the ground by hand. 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 safety, volunteers should 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

Global Youth Service Days

Huron Hills Golf Course Woods

Saturday, April 27

1-4 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to join NAP for environmental service during Global Youth Service Days (GYSD)! Spend some time in the woods with other members of the community called to serve, and help NAP remove invasive weeds. Exotic plants take up the space and nutrients that native plants need to provide habitat for wildlife. GYSD is a great time to help your local ecosystem. Meet on Hunting Valley off Provincial Dive.Volunteers will pull invasive weeds from the ground by hand. 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 safety, volunteers should 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).

Original source can be found here.