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Photograph Courtesy of
Natural Area Preservation
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Since January 2005, The Huron Arbor Cluster has helped connect people who are interested in learning more about and becoming proficient in natural area stewardship. We offer a tool sharing program; an email update list of local stewardship-related events; and a variety of educational workshops. We also hold monthly informal conversations with volunteer and professional stewards, called Steward's Circles. These chats cover topics such as winter restoration, using herbicides as a restoration tool, recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers, wetland invaders, and more.
Please feel free to share your questions and ideas with our Cluster. We'd love to have your help in achieving our goals!
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Support Your Local Cluster Today!
Donate Today to Become a Member!
Are you Part of an Organization?
Find out More about our Memorandum of Understanding Memberships!
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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 Stewards' Circles each month - the "Second Tuesday." 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.
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Huron Arbor Cluster 2010 Events
All workshops require pre-registration. To fill out a registration form, click the link the event's name.
Checklist for Event Coordinators
Click here for a list of past events
Are you looking to share a ride to an event? Follow this link to the carpooling section of our forum to post requests or offers for ride shares
Click Here for a List of Past Events
Native Gardening
March 22, Monday 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost: $10 for members/ $15 for non-members
Location: The NEW Center conference room
Click Here to Register Now!
Now's the time to plan your summer garden. Are you considering using native plants? Native plants offer a wide range of benefits - both for the environment and for you as the gardener! Join Lynn Kalfsbeek of Land and Resource Services to learn about the benefits of native plants, get helpful management techniques, and hear lots of creative ideas for using native plants in various settings.
Assessing Natural Areas: Rapid Ecological Assessment
May 1, Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Room 125
Click Here to Register Now!
Join Kris Olsson of the Huron River Watershed Council to learn how you can help identify high-quality natural areas for protection. At this workshop, volunteers 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 and mud.
Identifying Woodland Wildflowers
May 2, Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Creekshead Preserve, Legacy Land Conservancy
Click Here to Register Now!
Woodland wildflowers are part of the ephemeral beauty of spring, and now is the time to see them. At this workshop, participants learn how to identify Michigan spring wildflowers. We'll cover background on plant identification, an introduction to 'indicator species', and a discussion of threats to wildflower areas, including invasive plants such as garlic mustard. Participants then hit the trail to see what they can find and identify. All attendees will receive a handy flower identification book to take home.
Sedge ID
June 19, Saturday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Leslie Science and Nature Center
Click Here to Register Now!
In this workshop, we'll walk and talk with Tony Reznicek of the University of Michigan while we gather grasslike species, mostly Carex sedges. Then, we'll head indoors to identify the specimens gathered using the naked eye and dissecting microscopes. If you like what you learn, Tony will be joining us for an event later in the season, and he will also be presenting more in depth on grasses and sedges through programming at U of M's Matthaei Botanical Gardens. For more on that, check out: www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/
Fen Restoration and Exploration
June 27, Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Brighton Recreation Area
Click Here to Register Now!
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is managing fens within state parks and recreation areas as part of its Stewardship Unit and Core Volunteer Steward program. Join Laurel Malvitz-Draper of the Michigan DNR and Ron Gamble of the Michigan Botanical Club- Huron Valley Chapter to explore part of the Bauer Road Fen complex at Brighton Recreation Area. Participants will learn about native plants and the natural history of these special wetlands while gaining first hand experience on how to identify and control invasive glossy buckthorn and restore these unique natural ecosystems. For more information, call Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248/359-9057. Registrants will receive detailed location information and directions in the registration confirmation email.
Rain Gardens
July 18, Sunday 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Cost: $10 for members/ $15 for non-members
Location: Cobblestone Farm Park
Click Here to Register Now!
Rain gardens are a great opportunity to plant natives and reduce the amount of pollution reaching creeks and rivers through storm water run-off. Join us for a talk with Bob Kehres of Great Lakes Native Plants as we talk about these special projects. If the weather's nice, we'll even be able to check out some great examples of rain gardens in the neighborhood!
Grass ID
August 15, Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Leslie Science and Nature Center
Click Here to Register Now!
We will talk with Tony Reznicek of the University of Michigan, take a walk, and gather grass specimens. Then, we'll identify the specimens indoors using the naked eye and dissecting microscopes.
Great Lakes Photo Tours
September 26, Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm
Cost: $10 to Stewardship Network upon mandatory pre-registration and $69 to GLPT at
the event
Location: Sharon Hills Preserve, Legacy Land Conservancy
Click Here to Register Now!
Great Lakes Photo Tours treats participants to some of the most inspiring scenic and natural areas in the Great Lakes region. Digital 'snap-shooters' and advaned amateur photo enthusiasts alike will benefit from Mark Carlson and Bob Grzesiak's over 50-years worth of combined experiene in photography. Questions or need more details? Please contact Meghan at the Stewardship Network at (734)996-3190 or mhendricks@stewardshipnetwork.org
Prairie Restoration and Ecology
October 30, Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Shanghai Prairie near St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor (turn into the picnic area parking lot at the 3 way stop sign by Staff parking lot D on Mc Auley Drive)
Click Here to Register Now!
Shanghai Prairie is one of the largest intact prairies in SE Michigan, right here in Ann Arbor. This prairie supports a huge diversity of plant species, but it is threatened by the advance of autumn olive and other invasive shrubs. You'll be joined on this restoration workday by local prairie experts and volunteer steward Aunita Erksine, and you'll learn invasive plant ID and restoration tips along the way. We will explore the boundaries of this prairie and see how plans will be formulated for its preservation, and the effects of recent workdays.
How to Lead A GREAT Stewardship Workday
November 13, Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Leslie Science and Nature Center
Click Here to Register Now!
Join local experts in discussing and comparing how stewardship workdays are led by various organizations. We will be reviewing how to work with different volunteers and volunteer groups, touching on various components useful in preparing for events, as well as how to give recognition and thanks. Additionally, we'll talk about how workdays are run, what equipment can be brought, what documentation we all use, and - most importantly - pitfalls to avoid. This workshop is meant for staff and volunteers who will be leading stewardship workdays.
Year End Celebration!
December 11, Saturday 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Matthaei Botanical Garden
Join us in celebrating the Huron Arbor Cluster's successes through 2010! No registration required, just show up for a good time and bring a dish to pass!
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Huron Arbor Cluster Contact Information
Do you have any questions regarding the Headwaters Cluster? If so, please don't hesitate to ask!
Contact the Huron Arbor Cluster:
HuronArbor@StewardshipNetwork.org
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Huron Arbor Cluster Participating Organizations
City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation
Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority
Huron River Watershed Council
Legacy Land Conservancy
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy
University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
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We'd Love to Have You!
We would like to invite you to join our Cluster. Groups and individuals who may be interested include: Community Service volunteers, Eagle Scouts, Master Gardeners, Conservation Stewards, field interns, people who want to connect to nature, people who want to meet with like-mnded people, and people who like getting exercise outdoors. Let's have some fun!
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