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
Factsheets & resources. What educational materials are out there? Which can we use? Bring your favorite and we’ll share.
Tuesday November 10
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
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Tuesday June 10: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Brueggers Bagels on N. University, Ann Arbor.
JULY - POISONOUS PLANTS
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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
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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?
