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2010 Stewards’ Circles
2010 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.
These topics are discussed at the Stewards’ Circles – each Second Tuesday of the month – held in the morning from 7:30 to 8:30 am at Brueggers Bagels on N University, Ann Arbor.
Tuesday January 12
We often use plant diversity as an indicator of restoration success. How do we create restoration goals for our avian friends? What stewardship is helpful for birds and what should we be careful doing?
Tuesday February 9
Prescribed fire is our most historically accurate restoration tool. How and when do we use prescribed fire? Is it right for your location? What results have you had from prescribed fire?
Tuesday March 9
We’re great at preserving and restoring lands – as long as we have the money. Where do we find our funding? What are additional sources to augment our work?
Tuesday April 13
Herbicides are a powerful tool in ecological restoration. How do we use them safely and appropriately? How do we navigate all the regulations and label instructions?
Tuesday May 11
Our plant world is completely dependant on pollinators. What are the factors that create success for bees, butterflies, moths, small birds, and insects? What can we do as restorations to help all these critical critters?
Tuesday June 8
Nature in the summer is filled with many beautiful things, including restoration activities. What work do we do in the summer? How do we beat the heat while working in the field?
Tuesday July 13
Land and water are inextricably linked, but many restorationists live and work on the land. What invasives do we control in the watery environment? How do we work in an environment that crosses jurisdictional boarders?
Tuesday August 10
What’s your favorite bagel? We’re intentionally having no topic. Bring your pressing questions and needs!
Tuesday September 14
Plants are one of the powerhouses of ecosystems. How do we introduce new plants? How are they propagated?
Tuesday October 12
Protection and restoration can only happen with the community's support. How do we instrument social and political will in stewardship? How do we get our legislators interested and involved in our work?
Tuesday November 19
Many of us work with volunteers, many of us are volunteers. How does volunteerism impact the stewardship movement? How do we improve and what are our lessons learned?
Tuesday December 14
Before we do any restoration work we need to know what we’re trying to accomplish. How do we develop a restoration plan? What resources are available to us?
2009 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.
These topics are discussed at the Stewards’ Circles – each Second Tuesday of the month – held in the morning from 7:30 to 8:30 am at Brueggers Bagels on N University, Ann Arbor.
Tuesday January 13
Many of us work with volunteers, many of us are volunteers. How does volunteerism impact the stewardship movement? How do we improve and what are our lessons learned?
Tuesday February 10
Prescribed fire is our most historically accurate restoration tool. How and when do we use prescribed fire? Is it right for your location? What results have you had from prescribed fire?
Tuesday March 10
Native plants are great. How do we include them a bit closer to home – in our own yards? What plants are best in the native garden? Which plants work well in which situations?
Tuesday April 14
The Garlic Mustard Challenge is upon us! What is the Garlic Mustard Challenge and how do we all participate? What are the keys to removing garlic mustard for the best ecological benefit?
Tuesday May 12
Have you used a bio-control agent? What are they and where do they come from? What are the costs and benefits of using bio-controls?
Tuesday June 9
Herbicides are powerful tools. When are using herbicides the appropriate action? What do we keep in mind when properly utilizing herbicides?
Tuesday July 14
Streams are an essential part of our natural areas. How do we monitor their health? What indicators are best? Easiest? What can we do to help?
Tuesday August 11
Top 5 invasives. What are the worst invasives in your natural area? Which are the most invasive? How do we decide which to take care of first?
Tuesday September 8
Trails run through many natural areas. How do we upkeep trails? What are the best ways to create and fix trails?
Tuesday October 13
Click here for notes! Factsheets & resources. What educational materials are out there? Which can we use? Bring your favorite and we’ll share.
Tuesday November 10
Click here for notes! Amphibians and Reptiles are Herps. What do herps do in the winter? How can we improve life for herps through our stewardship work?
Tuesday December 8
Land Preservation is the first and last step of stewardship. How do we keep wilderness wild? What techniques are utilized to preserve land?
See below notes from 2007 and past 2008 Stewards' Circles. Thanks to volunteer Diane for making this possible!!
Take the Stewards' Circle Survey!
2008 Topics
JANUARY - VOLUNTEERS
Click here for notes.
Many of us work with volunteers, many of us volunteer. But how do we create valuable volunteer experiences? What is it about a great volunteer experience that makes it so?
FEBRUARY - PRESCRIBED FIRE
Tuesday February 12: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor.
Thursday February 21: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the NEW Center, 1100 N Main, Ann Arbor, upstairs in the north conference room.
Prescribed fire is our most historically accurate restoration tool. How and when do we use prescribed fire? Is it right for your location? What results have you had from prescribed fire?
MARCH - NATURAL AREAS VANDALISM, etc.
Tuesday March 11: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor.
Thursday March 20: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the NEW Center, 1100 N Main, Ann Arbor, upstairs in the north conference room.
Natural areas are great locations for us to get away, but sometimes they are misused. Have you dealt with vandalism, vagrancy, or other misuse? What solutions have and haven’t worked for you?
APRIL - HERBICIDES
Tuesday April 8: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor.
Thursday April 17: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the NEW Center, 1100 N Main, Ann Arbor, upstairs in the north conference room.
Those who use herbicides talk about IPM. But what is Integrated Pest Management? When should we use herbicides? How do we make the decision to utilize herbicides over other options?
MAY - POLLINATORS
Tuesday May 13: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor.
Thursday May 15: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the NEW Center, 1100 N Main, Ann Arbor, upstairs in the north conference room.
Pollinators are an essential component of ecosystem health. Do we consider their importance often enough? How can our management decisions help to ensure their vitality?
JUNE - WETLAND INVADERS
Click here for notes.
Tuesday June 10: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor.
JULY - POISONOUS PLANTS
Click here for notes.
Tuesday July 8: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor. Poisonous plants are one of many hazards in our in natural areas. What are these poisonous plants? What types of safety precautions do we need to take?
AUGUST - STREAMS
Click here for notes.
Tuesday August 12: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor. Streams run through many of our preserves. How do we work to protect them? What types of erosion control can we implement? And how have you done it?
SEPTEMBER - SOILS
Tuesday September 9: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor. Soil health is the ground which our restoration efforts grow from. What are the threats to soil health? How do we protect and restore our soil?
OCTOBER - DEER MANAGEMENT
Click here for notes.
Deer often have a major impact on our natural areas. How have you included deer in you management decisions? What problems have you had with deer? What solutions have you identified?
NOVEMBER - WINTER RESTORATION
Tuesday November 11: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor. Winter is a great time to get into nature – and work! What types of restoration can we conduct in winter? What restoration is best conducted in winter? What do you do in winter?
DECEMBER - COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL INVOLVEMENT AND IMPACT
Tuesday December 9: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor. How we interact with the environment has great impacts – positive and negative. What are we doing that helps? How do we get the community at large to increase their eco-friendliness?
2007 Stewards' Circles
Janaury 2007 – Invasive Natives (we hadn't started taking notes yet:)
February 2007 – Volunteer Recruitment Notes
March 2007 – Prescribed Fire Notes
April 2007 – Herbaceous Invasives Notes
May 2007 – Floristic Quality Assessment Notes
June 2007 – Restoration to What? Notes
July 2007 – Water Restoration Notes
August 2007 – What is a Natural Area? Notes
September 2007 – Land Preservation Notes
October 2007 - Herbicides Notes
November 2007 – Winter Restoration Notes
December 2007 – Dealing with Environmental Grief Notes
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