Huron Arbor Cluster located in the Greater Washtenaw Area
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Contact the Huron Arbor Cluster: HuronArbor@StewardshipNetwork.org
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The Huron Arbor Cluster, formed in early 2005, includes groups such as Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation, The City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation, Washtenaw Land Trust, University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum, Michigan State Parks, and many individuals and private landowners. Our activities are geographically centered in Wastenaw County and surrounding areas.
Since January 2005 the Huron Arbor Cluster held two planning meetings where we brainstormed and prioritized goals for the cluster. From these goals we established committees to work on the following: establishing a tool sharing program; creating a list of people willing to help others survey and identify management strategies for their land - which has become the Stewardship Network's Stewardship Match Program; enhancing our means of communicating through email, list serves, and websites; and developing and hosting educational workshops. We held workday/workshops in May and June on management planning and coordinating with volunteer groups. We hold monthly informal conversations with volunteer and professional stewards. These Stewards Circles chats cover topics such as winter restoration, using herbicides as a restoration tools, recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers; wetland invaders; and beyond.
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Huron Arbor Stewards' Circles
Are you interested in learning more about how to care for our natural areas - woods, creeks, prairies, wetlands? Then join the Stewardship Network's Huron Arbor cluster for an informal discussion with volunteer and professional land stewards and others interested in nature. Each month we meet to engage in an informal discussion on a given topic (Click here to see topics).
These topics are discussed at two Stewards' Circles each month - the "Second Tuesday" and the "Third Thursday". The Second Tuesday Stewards' Circles are held in the morning from 7:30 to 8:30 am at Bruegger's Bagels on N University, Ann Arbor. The Third Thursday Stewards' Circles are from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm at the NEW Center, 1100 N Main, Ann Arbor, upstairs in the north conference room.
Huron Arbor Cluster Events 2008
NOTE: ALL WORKSHOPS REQUIRE REGISTRATION
Click here for a list of past events
Saturday, May 10: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Assessing Natural Areas: Rapid Ecological Assessment
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens
You can help identify high-quality natural areas for protection. At this workshop new volunteers for the Huron River Watershed Council will learn to conduct a rapid ecological assessment of grasslands, forests, wetlands, and aquatic habitats. Trained volunteers are then certified to be sent out in groups to work together on site assessments throughout the spring, summer, and fall (an expected time commitment of four hours per site). Participants will gain broadly applicable skills in ecological assessment. (Please bring a sack lunch. The workshop includes hands-on practice outdoors, so please come prepared for weather, mud, etc.)
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Kris Olsson, Huron River Watershed Council.
Registration: Click Here to register or call (734)-996-3190.
Cost: NONE.
Wednesday, July 23: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Green Roofs
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Green Roofs help to detain and filter rain water. They offer a green oasis in a sea of roof tar and asphalt shingles. They look pretty darn neat too. This hands-on workshop will show you the steps and materials needed to complete your own home project.
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Bob Grese and Jeff Plakke, Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
Registration: Click Here to register or call (734)-996-3190
Cost: $10 for Stewardship Network Members, $15 for Non-Members.
Saturday, August 9: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Top 10 Invasives
Location: Leslie Science & Nature Center
There are scores of invasive plants in Michigan, with more every year. In this workshop, we will spend a couple hours learning identification and control methods for the most present invasive in southeastern Michigan. For the second half of the workshop we'll take a walk through Black Pond Woods and around the Leslie Science and Nature Center to do some hands-on identification. Feel free to do some removal on our hike!
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Jason Tallant
Registration: Click Here to register or call (734)-996-3190
Cost: $10 for Stewardship Network Members, $15 for Non-Members.
Saturday, September 27: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
River Ecology
Location: Hudson Mills to Dexter Huron
Hudson Mills Metropark is a beautiful stretch of river and one of southern Michigan's jewels. River ecology, natural history, and human influence will be the focus of our trip. We'll stop along the river for a short plant hike and at the Dextor Cider Mill for cider and yummy donuts. Bring extra money for the Cider Mill. Adults only. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required for the paddle program. Call Hudson Mills Metropark at (734)-426-8211 to register. Meet at Dexter-Huron Metropark.
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Jennifer Hollenbeck, Huron Clinton Metroparks.
Registration: Click Here to register or call (734)-996-3190
Cost: $45 (A Metroparks pass is required for park entry. Daily passes are $4; annual passes are $20.)
Sunday, September 28: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How Global Warming Will Affect Michigan's Natural Areas
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Most Scientists agree that the global climate is changing, but there are still uncertainties about how those global trends will translate into ecological impacts at regional and local scales. What are some potential effects on Michigan's natural areas? What signs of global change might we start to detect in our local stewardship work? And what management strategies make sense now - what steps can we take despite the uncertainties? This workshop will feature a lecture by University of Michigan botanist Tony Reznicek - who has advised The Nature Conservancy on potential effects on plant communities in Michigan - followed by a hike to consider the issues in the field.
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Tony Reznicek, U of M Botanist.
Registration: Click Here to register or call (734)-996-3190
Cost: $10 for Stewardship Network Members, $15 for Non-Members.
Saturday, October 11: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Oak Woodland Restoration
Location: Leslie Science and Nature Center
Oak Woodlands are home to some of our most beloved native spring wildflowers, a spectacular array of birds and other wildlife, and are wonderful places for peaceful walks. But out oak woodlands are in peril! Acorns need sunlight to germinate, but then the young oaks still need to make it up to the canopy if the oak woodland is to be perpetuated. What is it that's threatening them? Come to this indoor and in-the-field session to learn more about what we can do to protect, restore, and manage these precious natural areas.
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Ryan O'Connor, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Dave Borneman, City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation, and David Mindell, PlantWise.
Registration: Click Here to register or call (734)-996-3190
Cost: $10 for Stewardship Network Members, $15 for Non-Members.
Year End Party!
Join us in celebrating the Huron Arbor Cluster's successes through 2008!
Saturday, December 6: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens
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