Natural Area Preservation Workdays and Events in April
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. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
Below are events planned for April 2021. Natural Area Preservation is continuing to closely monitor recommendations from city and other health officials. As a result, the events listed are subject to change in order keep volunteers and the public safe. Should it be prudent to make changes to the event schedule, updates will be made to the NAP website and anyone who had registered for events will be notified. Please visit www.a2gov.org/NAPevents for the most up-to-date information.
Volunteer Stewardship Workdays at NAP have changed in response to COVID-19. To attend a workday, participants must preregister using Rec-1 at https://tinyurl.com/NAPWorkdays, and wear a mask over their mouth and nose while maintaining a 6-foot distance from others at all times during the event. Workday participants are also asked to please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and leather work gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Please register for each event by noon on the Friday prior to the weekend which it occurs. Direct links to each event in Rec-1 are provided below.
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, April 11, 1–4 p.m.
Folkstone Park
The spring wildflowers — such as rue-anemone, or thalictrum thalictroides — in this oak-hickory forest will knock your socks off. You’re sure to enjoy an afternoon spent helping NAP remove non-native plants from Folkstone Park. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration.
Stewards’ Circle
Tuesday, April 13, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Zoom Meeting
Are you interested in learning more about how to care for our natural areas? Then join the Stewardship Network’s Huron Arbor Cluster for an informal discussion on a monthly topic with volunteer and professional land stewards, plus others interested in nature. Free! For more information go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org. Join the online discussion via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/SCZoom2021 or dial in at 888 788 0099 (Toll-free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll-free). Meeting ID: 921 6530 3767
Breeding Bird Survey Kickoff
Thursday, April 15, 7–9 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
Learn how to survey for breeding birds in Ann Arbor’s parks! Volunteer to help NAP with Ann Arbor’s Breeding Bird Survey. Experience in bird identification is necessary. Learn how eBird is used to record survey results, sign up to survey your favorite park, hear about last year’s survey, and access survey materials. This program is an online event. Please register by April 13. For more information, or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or email NAPbirds@a2gov.org.
Stewardship Workday
Saturday, April 17, 9 a.m.–noon
Berkshire Creek Nature Area
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” Canadian writer and environmental activist Margaret Atwood gave us this affirmation of spending time outdoors in the spring, getting our hands dirty. Join NAP at Berkshire Creek Nature Area to celebrate spring and protect this part of the Huron River system by removing non-native plants. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration.
Stewardship Workday
Sunday, April 18, 9 a.m. to noon
Lakewood Nature Area
Looking to make a big impact? This park is one of a complex of parks in this area! A victory for one is a victory for all when working in Lakewood Nature Area, so come help NAP make this workday a success by removing invasive species. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration.
Stewardship Workdays- Earth Day
Thursday, April 22, 1–3 p.m.
Furstenberg Nature Area
Celebrate with NAP on #EarthDay2021! Home to prime examples of many ecosystems including wetland, woodland, prairie and oak savanna, there’s hardly a better place to continue a half-century of worldwide positive action than at Furstenberg Nature Area. Join NAP in removing invasive plants from this very special and diverse park! Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration.
Stewardship Workday – Earth Day Weekend
Saturday, April 24, 9 a.m.– noon
Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area
Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area is a much-beloved park and serves as an outdoor classroom for students at Mitchell Elementary and Scarlett Middle School. Celebrate 51 years of Earth Day by helping NAP clear non-native plants and improving habitat for native flora and fauna. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration.
Stewardship Workday – Earth Day Weekend
Saturday, April 24, 9 a.m.–noon
Bluffs Nature Area
Help care for our planet by improving the ecological quality of a nearby wildlife habitat! Maintaining pockets of natural areas in cities like Ann Arbor is crucial for strengthening our planet’s network of ecosystems. Bluffs Nature Area is a 40-acre park right on Main Street, between downtown Ann Arbor and M-14, but it is home to many of Ann Arbor’s native flora and fauna. Celebrate #Earthday2021 by pulling invasive plants from Bluffs Nature Area. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration.
Stewardship Workday – Earth Day Weekend
Saturday, April 24, 1–4 p.m.
Sunset Brooks Nature Area
Spend an afternoon removing non-native plants at Sunset Brooks Nature Area, and you will likely walk away inspired by the dedicated neighbors and their endeavor to maintain and improve this lovely oak-hickory woodland. Join NAP and others who love this park and celebrate 51 years of Earth Day. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration.
Turtle Steward Kickoff
Saturday, April 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
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 cover species identification, nest maintenance and monitoring, and how to report your turtle observations. Please register by April 21. For more information or to register, call NAP at 734.794.6627, or email NAP@a2gov.org.
Stewardship Workday – Global Youth Service Day
Sunday, April 25, 1–4 p.m.
Marshall Nature Area
Did you know that 50% of the world’s population is under age 25? Global Youth Service Day is the largest youth service and civic action event in the world. There is no age limit to join NAP at Marshall Nature Area while we remove non-native plants — the only requirement is a desire to protect our natural areas and leave the world a better place for today’s youth. Preregistration through Rec1 using this link is required as space is limited. Meeting location will be provided at registration.
