Upcoming Events - 2008

Saturday Sep. 6, 7pm - Rancho Tranquilico Concert Series – and bonfire!
Come out to the countryside! Playing live on Saturday September 6: Award-winning band Billy King and the Idylls Billy King & the Idylls (website, myspace) will bring their mix of folk, pop, bluegrass, swing, and rock to this all-ages show.
      Bring your blankets or some lawn chairs, and wear comfy shoes if you like to dance. Arrive at 7 to stake out a good spot in the (clean!) barn. The show will start around 7:30. We’ll bring snacks and water – plus the marshmallows for the bonfire at sundown.
Location: Rancho Tranquilico, home of Barry Lonik, 11300 Island Lake Rd, Dexter (Map - If you hit gravel road, you went too far...Please park next door at Ruhlig's Farm Market.)
Suggested donation: $10 per person. All proceeds benefit the Land Trust's Forever Fund, to protect nature and farmland, and keep it protected forever.
For more information, call 734-302-LAND(5263).
Photos from past concerts

Saturday September 20, 10am-1pm- Stewardship Workday & Tour. Please join Washtenaw Land Trust at our Beckwith Preserve in Stockbridge for an enjoyable and rewarding volunteer workday! These fun events provide a unique opportunity to both pitch in to help preserve what makes this 30 acre nature preserve special and learn more about this natural area. Join an experienced land manager who will lead our workday and then please feel free to stick around for a walking tour of the property. Today we will be cutting the invasive shrub autumn olive. Please be sure to wear long pants and sturdy shoes. To register and for directions: Call 734-302-5263 or email mark@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday September 27, noon- 5pm - River Ecology by Canoe. More information and registration details

Sunday September 28, 1-5pm - How Global Warming Will Affect Michigan's Natural Areas. More information and registration details

Saturday October 11, 10am-1pm - Stewardship Workday & Tour. You’re invited to join the Washtenaw Land Trust at the Creekshead Nature Preserve northeast of Ann Arbor for an enjoyable and rewarding volunteer workday! Come help clear trails through this beautiful beech-maple forest, and then please feel free to stick around for a walking tour of the property. Please be sure to wear long pants and sturdy shoes. To register and for directions: Call 734-302-5263 or email mark@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday October 11, 9am-noon - Oak Woodland Restoration. More information and registration details

Sunday October 12 - Waterloo Farm Museum's 'Pioneer Day'. More information

Saturday October 18, 1pm - Land Protection Bus Tour. Hop on the Washtenaw Land Trust’s chartered coach and head out for an afternoon tour showcasing the natural areas and open spaces that make our community a great place to live, work, and play. Enjoy this unique opportunity to visit local protected lands, learn about efforts to protect nature and farmland, and snack on delicious local treats! Cost: $10 members, $15 non-members. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, please call 734-302-5263 or email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org.
*Volunteers are needed to help with setup – if you can help, please contact Suzie at 734-302-5263 or email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday October 25, 10am-1pm - Stewardship Workday & Tour. Come join the Washtenaw Land Trust at the Sharon Hills Nature Preserve (south of Chelsea, north of Manchester) for an enjoyable and rewarding volunteer workday! Today we’ll be cutting the invasive shrub autumn olive, which can out-compete native Michigan plants. Join an experienced land manager who will lead our workday and then please feel free to stick around for a walking tour of the property. Please be sure to wear long pants and sturdy shoes. To register and for directions: Call 734-302-5263 or email mark@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday December 6, 6-8pm - Stewardship Network Year End Party! More information

December 6-7 - Waterloo Farm Museum's 'Christmas on the Farm and at Dewey School'. More information

More Land Protection News

Other Local Conservation Events (Stewardship Network Online)

Past Events - 2008

Saturday February 9, 8:30am-1:00pm - Keeping it Green: Conserving Your Future through Land Use Planning. Property owners and the general public are invited to a FREE workshop to learn more about the Upper Grand River watershed and how you can help "keep it green"! Registration at 8:30am. Please call the Jackson Conservation District (517-782-7404) to register for this FREE workshop. Non-Jackson residents also welcome. Agenda & Location (Jackson Conservation District)

Monday March 3, 6:30-8:30pm - Protecting Your Land: Making "$" and Sense of the Options. Do you own land that you would like to protect for your kids or grandkids, but you don’t know where to start? Have you ever wondered about the financial benefits of protecting your land through a conservation easement? Or, would you like to find out how to permanently protect your farm or wetlands from development? Join us for a FREE panel discussion of these topics. A tax professional will be on hand to answer all of your questions! To RSVP: 517-676-2290.
Location: Ingham Conservation District, 1031 W. Dexter Trail, Mason, MI 48854, across the street at the Glassen Education Building. (Sponsors: Ingham & Jackson County Conservation Districts, Washtenaw Land Trust, Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.)

Tuesday March 11, 7-9pm - Volunteer Party & 2008 Kickoff! Everyone is invited to a special party to say "thank-you" to old friends, and to welcome new ones! Join us for: an exclusive Land Trust update, a preview of 2008 activities, an inside look at the newly protected McKinley conservation agreement property, and Michigan-inspired refreshments. FREE and open to the public. 7 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. program. RSVP requested: 734-302-5263 or suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org. Hope you'll join us! Location: Hosted by McKinley Properties, at McKinley's Glencoe Hills Clubhouse, overlooking the newly-protected McKinley conservation agreement property. Map & Directions. Please follow the signs to the Leasing Information office on the right.
Photos from the event

Tuesday March 25, 7-9pm - Join the green team: Become a Volunteer Ambassador! You can help protect nature and open spaces, simply by spreading the word about the Land Trust. If more people know about what we're all doing to protect local lands, then more land can be saved! At this training, you'll learn how to talk to people at local community events about land protection. It's easy and it's fun - we'll teach you everything you need to know!
Food and fun will be provided. To sign up for the training: 734-302-5263 or suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org.
Interested, but can't come on the 25th? Just contact Suzie & we'll find a time that works for you.
Location: Washtenaw Land Trust office, NEW Center Building, 1100 N. Main Street #203, South conference room (upstairs). Map & Directions.

Tuesday March 25, 6:30-8:30pm - Land Protection Drop-in Question & Answer Session. Have you ever thought about leaving a legacy for future generations? Curious about the tax incentives and other benefits of land protection? Drop by anytime to speak one-on-one with Land Trust staff members about your land protection options. Light refreshments will be served. FREE and open to the public. (Can't make it the 25th? There's another session on March 27 in Lodi - see below.)
Location: Freedom Township Hall – 11508 Pleasant Lake Road, Manchester (corner of Pleasant Lake and Lima Center). Map.

Thursday March 27, 6:30-8:30pm - Land Protection Drop-in Question & Answer Session. Have you ever thought about leaving a legacy for future generations? Curious about the tax incentives and other benefits of land protection? Drop by anytime to speak one-on-one with Land Trust staff members about your land protection options. Light refreshments will be served. FREE and open to the public.
Location: Lodi Township Hall — 3755 Pleasant Lake Road, Ann Arbor (near corner of Pleasant Lake and S. Wagner). Map.

Thursday April 10, 6-9pm - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Mailing party! - Join us to help with our annual spring mailing, to raise funds to protect local natural areas & farms. There will be food, friends, and fun! Can you help? Come when you can, leave when you must. To sign up: 734-302-5263, suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org, or just show up on Thursday at the Land Trust office, 1100 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor (parking is free and plentiful). Hope you can help!

Saturday April 12, 10am-4pm - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Beckwith Bridge -Join us to finish the final tasks for the pedestrian bridge at the Land Trust’s Beckwith Conservancy in Stockbridge. Lunch, snacks, and beverages will be provided. Location: M-106 in Stockbridge, just east of Maple Street. Please park along the north side of M-106 along the edge of the woods. (Map) *Please let us know you’re coming by calling 734-302-5263 or emailing mark@washtenawlandtrust.org.
Photos from last year's bridge-building workdays

Friday April 18, 2 pm - Conservation Week Press Conference. Join the Washtenaw Land Trust and Sen. Randy Richardville to kick off Michigan Conservation Week at the historic Geddes farm, and to announce newly proposed bi-partisan conservation legislation. Location: Historic farmland co-owned by Joan Geddes Rose and Carole Geddes-Engel, 2730 E. Morgan Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. (Map) Note: Please do not park at the house; please park along the farm lane to the west of the house.

Saturday April 19, 9am-Noon - Garlic Mustard Weed-out Challenge. Corporate teams for this year are already finalized. If you'd like your company to be involved next year, please contact Suzie Heiney at 734-302-LAND(5263) or info@washtenawlandtrust.org. For more Garlic Mustard Challenge events, please visit the Stewardship Network.

Saturday April 26, 9am-4pm - VOLUNTEER AMBASSADORS NEEDED: Earth Day - Chelsea is launching a brand-new Earth Day celebration this year. Can you help us spread the word about land protection? If you can cover a shift, contact Suzie at 734-302-5263 or email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Sunday April 27, 11am-4pm - VOLUNTEER AMBASSADORS NEEDED: Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival. Family fun! Volunteers are needed to help with the Land Trust's kid-friendly activity. Could you do a shift? Contact Suzie at 734-302-5263 or email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org. Location: Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd., Ann Arbor 48105.

Saturday May 3, 9am-Noon- Identifying Michigan Spring Wildflowers. This workshop will begin with a background on plant identification, an introduction to ‘indicator species’, and a discussion of threats to wildflower areas. Then we’ll hit the trail to see what we can find and identify!
Bonus: All workshop attendees will also receive a handy flower identification book to take home.
Leader: Catherine Marquardt, Naturalist. Location: Reichert Nature Preserve (you'll receive directions after you register). Cost: $10 for Stewardship Network, Washtenaw Land Trust , or Livingston Land Conservancy members, $15 for non-members. ***SOLD OUT- Please consider the Sunday May 4 session.

Sunday May 4, 9am-Noon- Identifying Michigan Spring Wildflowers. This additional session added by popular demand! This workshop will begin with a background on plant identification, an introduction to ‘indicator species’, and a discussion of threats to wildflower areas. Then we’ll hit the trail to see what we can find and identify!
Bonus: All workshop attendees will also receive a handy flower identification book to take home.
Leader: Catherine Marquardt, Naturalist. Location: Bird Hills Nature Area (Location and map). Cost: $10 for members of Stewardship Network or Washtenaw Land Trust, $15 for non-members. Online registration coming soon, or call 734-996-3190. ***SPACE IS LIMITED - Please sign up today!

Thursday May 8, 10am-3:30pm - Day of Caring. The Land Trust is partnering with Pall Life Sciences for the Washtenaw United Way's Day of Caring. We'll be removing invasive garlic mustard from Sharon Hills nature preserve. Thank you to everybody at Pall who's helping out!

Saturday May 17, 11am - Beckwith Grand Re-opening! Join us to celebrate the completion of the brand-new (and beautiful!) pedestrian bridge at the Land Trust’s Beckwith Conservancy in Stockbridge. Festivities include a trail hike, ribbon-cutting, bridge walk, and snacks. FREE and open to the public.
Location: M-106 in Stockbridge, just east of Maple Street. Please park along M-106 near the woods. (Map) For more information, call 734-302-5263 or email mark@washtenawlandtrust.org.
Photos of the bridge being built

Friday June 13, 5pm-9pm- VOLUNTEER AMBASSADORS NEEDED: Green Fair- The more people who learn about land protection, the more land can be saved! Help us spread the word. Can you help with a shift?
Contact Suzie at 734-302-5263 or email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday June 21, 7pm - Barn Concert & Bonfire! Come celebrate the longest day of the year with the Land Trust and award-winning band Billy King & the Idylls (website, myspace). Enjoy a mix of folk, pop, bluegrass, swing, and rock. Family-friendly: folks of all ages are encouraged to attend. A bonfire will follow. Bring some lawnchairs or a blanket, and join us!
Location: Rancho Tranquilico, home of Barry Lonik & son Wesley Treemore, 11300 Island Lake Rd, Dexter (Map - If you hit gravel road, you went too far...Please park next door at Ruhlig's Farm Market.)
Suggested donation: $10 per person, $20 per family. Proceeds benefit the Land Trust's Forever Fund: making sure lands protected today stay protected forever.
For more information, call Barry at 734-223-2321 or the Land Trust at 734-302-LAND(5263).
Photos from past concerts

Sunday July 13- VOLUNTEER AMBASSADORS NEEDED: Huron River Day- Help spread the word about protecting local lands, from 11am-1:30pm or 1:30-4pm. Interested in helping out? Contact Suzie at 734-302-5263 or email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Monday July 14 - Townie Street Party! 5-9:30pm - Come party with the locals to kick off art fair week at the Townie Street Party, the kick-off party to the Ann Arbor Art Fairs brought to you by the Street Art Fair. It's held under the big tents on North University between Thayer and Fletcher, adjacent to the University of Michigan’s Ingalls Mall on central campus. It’s a family event, and admission is free.
You can help! New this year: “Where We Live: The Ecology of Place” is a collaborative community eco-art project focusing on the natural world, here where you live. In a unique partnership between the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Washtenaw Land Trust, and local artist Leslie Sobel, aerial photos and maps of Washtenaw County will be collaged with photos, drawings, and stories about the land contributed by you. To submit your photos: email them to eco-art@lesliesobel.com or bring them on July 14th to the Townie Street Party.
Volunteers needed: We need a few good folks to help with the community art project, from 4:30-7:30pm or 7-10pm. Interested in helping out? Contact Suzie at 734-302-5263 or email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org.
NEW! Detailed aerial photos with natural features (the base map for this art project)

Past Events - 2007

Wednesday Jan. 17, 5:30-8 pm- Mailing Party- Volunteers needed! Help mail flyers to local property owners about the Washtenaw Land Trust’s upcoming workshop, “Protecting Your Land.” Where: The home of Bill & Charity Steere, 5259 Maute Rd., Grass Lake (southwest of Chelsea). Come when you can, leave when you must! To sign up, call 734-302-LAND(5263).

Tuesday Jan. 30, 6-9 pm- Mailing Party- "Land & Lawyer Handbook"! The Land Trust has prepared a guide on the laws behind land protection. You can help compile these packets for mailing to local lawyers – the more advisers who know about land protection, the more land can be protected! Where: Washtenaw Land Trust, 1100 N. Main (the NEW Center), Suite 203, Ann Arbor. Come when you can, leave when you must! To sign up, call 734-302-LAND(5263).

Wednesday Feb. 7, 6:30-8:30 pm- Protecting Your Land: Is It Right For You? Ask the Experts. Come learn what it takes to protect your land with a conservation agreement and if this is a good option for you. Pose your questions to an expert panel of lawyers, appraisers, tax accountants and estate planners, and receive materials you can take home with you. This session is ideal for landowners and anyone interested in learning more about conservation options. More information and registration details

Saturday April 14, 10 am-1 pm- Fitting Prescribed Burning Into Your Management Plan. At this workshop, you'll learn exactly what goes into making a management plan, the topics to consider, and the resources available to help you. You'll also learn how prescribed burns can be an integral part of a management plan, using the Washtenaw Land Trust's plan for the Sharon Hills Preserve as an example. There's also a possibility of doing hands-on burn preparation work, so come dressed for the weather and light outdoor work.
Leader: Andy Henriksen, District Forester for Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, & Monroe Conservation Districts, and Maureen Martin, burn crew member. Location: Sharon Hills Nature Preserve (Map). To register: call 734-302-5263.

Sunday April 15, 1-3 pm - Sharon Hills Rededication and Hike - Join us for a celebration and nature hike at Sharon Hills Nature Preserve (Map). Refreshments provided. To sign up, contact 734-302-LAND(5263) or info@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday April 21 - Garlic Mustard Weed-out Challenge. Corporate teams for this year are already finalized. If you'd like your company to be involved next year, please contact Suzie Heiney at 734-302-LAND(5263) or info@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Sunday April 22, noon-4:00 p.m. - Earth Day Festival 2007. Family fun! Enjoy a wide range of kid-friendly activities, entertainment for children and adults, plus an "all-species" parade. At the Land Trust's table, come try your hand at identifying animal tracks as you learn "Whose footprints are these?" Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Sponsored by the City of Ann Arbor.

Saturday May 5, 10 am-Noon- Identifying Michigan Spring Wildflowers. Spring in Michigan brings a beautiful display of native wildflowers. These delicate, ephemeral flowers are often gone by the time the trees are covered in leaves, so now is the time to see them. If you’d like to learn how to identify some of the most common Michigan spring wildflowers, this workshop is for you. The workshop will begin with a background on plant identification, an introduction to ‘indicator species’, and a discussion of threats to wildflower areas. Then we’ll hit the trail to see what we can find and identify.
Bonus: All workshop attendees will also receive a handy flower identification book to take home. At noon, you're welcome to stay for a short re-dedication ceremony to celebrate the brand-new entrance sign and to spread the word about this nature preserve; refreshments provided.
Leader: Catherine Marquardt, Naturalist. Location: Creekshead Nature Preserve (Map). Cost: $10 for Stewardship Network or Washtenaw Land Trust members, $15 for non-members. To register: please contact 734-302-LAND(5263) or info@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday May 5, Noon-1 pm- Re-dedication Celebration at Creekshead Nature Preserve. You're invited to join us for a short re-dedication ceremony to celebrate the brand-new entrance sign and to spread the word about this nature preserve. (Map) Refreshments will be provided. Cost: FREE and open to the public. For directions, please contact 734-302-LAND(5263)or info@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday May 19, 10 am-Noon - Spring Stewardship workday and hike at Beckwith Nature Conservancy. You can help clear the trails for the season at this nature preserve along Portage Creek. Please contact 734-302-LAND(5263) or info@washtenawlandtrust.org to register and for directions. Refreshments provided. Hope you can come help!
Photos from the bridge-building at Beckwith!

Saturday May 26 (time TBA) - May Fair and Kickoff Celebration for Smithsonian "Key Ingredients" Exhibit. Come join us at the opening of the Smithsonian Institution's "Key Ingredients" exhibit in Chelsea - the exhibit's first stop in Michigan, and its ONLY local stop! More details soon. For more information, contact 734-302-LAND(5263) or info@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday June 9, 7:00 p.m. - Barn Concert & Bonfire! You're invited to a barn dance featuring the music of Billy King & the Idylls, at Rancho Tranquilico (home of Barry Lonik & Wesley Treemore.) Enjoy a mix of folk, pop, bluegrass, swing, and rock with Billy's originals plus a few covers. Folks of all ages are encouraged to attend. Non-alcoholic refreshments will be available. A bonfire will follow the dancin'.
Location: 11300 Island Lake Rd, Dexter (Map - If you hit gravel road, you went too far...Please park next door at Ruhlig's Farm Market.) Suggested donation: $10 per person, $15 per couple, $20 per family. Proceeds will pay the band a bit, and the rest benefits the Washtenaw Land Trust. For more information, call Barry at 734-223-2321 or the Land Trust at 734-302-LAND(5263).
UPDATE: "Just got back from seeing Billy King & the Idylls, hoping they were as good as I remembered them since they're coming to play in my barn on Saturday, June 9. They weren't as good... THEY WERE WONDERFUL. Whatever plans or conflicts you have for that date, change them. Come kick off summer with a great band out here at Rancho Tranquilico. - Barry."
Photos from the concert!

Friday June 15, 6:00-9:00 p.m. - Green Fair - Enjoy a wide range of kid-friendly activities and entertainment for children and adults. At the Land Trust's table, give a try at identifying animal tracks as you learn "Whose footprints are these?" Location: Downtown Ann Arbor. (City of Ann Arbor)

Sunday July 15, 12:00-4:00 p.m. - Huron River Day -Each year we celebrate the Huron River with a day of food, music, educational exhibits, and fun events for the whole family. At the Land Trust's table, give a try at identifying animal tracks as you learn "Whose footprints are these?" For more information about Huron River Day visit www.a2gov.org/hrd. Location: Gallup Park, Ann Arbor. (City of Ann Arbor)

July 18-21 - 'Barn Art' community art project at the Art Fair - Barn Art will be a collaborative project offered at the ArtZone activity area of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. You are invited to help create a photographic collage of images of farms, rural scenes, farming families and heritage that will be assembled as a three-dimensional sculpture celebrating rural heritage in Washtenaw County.  Project partners: Washtenaw Land Trust, Chelsea Center for the Arts (CCA), Ann Arbor Street Art Fair and the Food System Economic Partnership. Hours: Wed.-Fri. 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Sat. 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. More information

Saturday August 11, 1:00-4:00 p.m. - Farmland Protection Celebration! - Land Trust members & friends are invited to join us at the Rogers family farm for this family-friendly event. Festivities: See the farms you've protected (more than 500 acres here!), eat delicious local treats, listen to music, enjoy hayrides, and more. Please RSVP: 734-302-5263, info@washtenawlandtrust.org. For additional information:
    Map
    About the Rogers Farm & the Farmland Protection Challenge
    Photos from the event!

Tuesday August 21, 5:00-9:00 p.m. - VOLUNTEER DAY: Mailing party - Join us in helping with our summer mailing, to raise funds to complete a record number of conservation projects this year. There will be food, friends, fun -- and envelopes to stuff, of course! Please come when you can, leave when you must. To RSVP, call 302-5263, email info@washtenawlandtrust.org, or just show up on Tuesday. Hope you can help!

Saturday August 25, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - VOLUNTEER DAY: Bridge Building Prep Day -Join us to help build a pedestrian bridge at the Land Trust’s Beckwith Conservancy in Stockbridge. Today, we’ll plan to demolish the fallen bridge and prepare for the installation of the new bridge. Lunch, snacks, and beverages will be provided. If you have a chainsaw or axe, please bring it. Some basic tools will be provided. If you can carry a board, you can help!
Location: M-106 in Stockbridge, just east of Maple Street. Please park along the north side of M-106 along the edge of the woods. (Map) Please let us know you’re coming, and contact us if you're interested in carpooling, by calling 734-302-5263 or emailing mark@washtenawlandtrust.org.
Photos from the bridge-building!

Saturday September 8, 7:00 p.m. - Land Protection Barn Dance Benefit & Bonfire! You're invited to a barn dance featuring the lively, celtic-inspired music of Nutshell. Dancing is encouraged (but isn't required), and no experience is necessary; just come ready to enjoy the music and to have a good time. Folks of all ages are encouraged to attend. Non-alcoholic refreshments will be available. A bonfire will follow (assuming, of course, that the weather cooperates). Bring some lawn chairs and/or a blanket, and join us!
Location: Rancho Tranquilico, home of Barry Lonik & his son Wesley Treemore, 11300 Island Lake Rd, Dexter (Map - Please park next door at Ruhlig's Farm Market. If you hit gravel road, you went too far.) Suggested donation: $10 per person, $15 per couple, $20 per family. Proceeds will pay the band a bit, and the rest benefits the Washtenaw Land Trust's land protection work. For more information, call Barry at 734-223-2321 or the Land Trust at 734-302-LAND(5263).

Sunday September 16, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. - People's Food Co-op Member Appreciation Day- The Land Trust will be helping with the festivities, and lots of local, fresh produce should be in stock for your munching pleasure! (People's Food Co-op, Ann Arbor) VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Come help us welcome visitors to our table - contact Mark at 734-302-5263 or mark@washtenawlandtrust.org if you're available on the 16th.

Saturday September 22, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - VOLUNTEER DAY: Bridge Building Day -Join us to help build a pedestrian bridge at the Land Trust’s Beckwith Conservancy in Stockbridge. Today, we’ll start digging and laying foundations and installing supports for the bridge. Lunch, snacks, and beverages will be provided. If you have a shovel, pick, hammer or screw gun, please bring it. Some basic tools will be provided.
Location: M-106 in Stockbridge, just east of Maple Street. Please park along the north side of M-106 along the edge of the woods. (Map) Please let us know you’re coming, and contact us if you're interested in carpooling, by calling 734-302-5263 or emailing mark@washtenawlandtrust.org.
Photos from the bridge-building!

Sunday October 14, noon-5:00 p.m. - Waterloo Pioneer Day- This celebration of late 19th century farm life includes tours of the Waterloo Farm Museum and Dewey School, live music, horse-drawn wagon rides, and costumed demonstrators who bring history alive. If you’ve never visited the scenic Waterloo region, this event is a great excuse, and fall is the perfect season. The Land Trust will be there, too- come visit us! More information (Waterloo Area Historical Society)

Monday October 29, 4:00-9:00 p.m. - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Mailing party! - Join us in helping with our annual fall mailing, to raise funds to complete a record number of conservation projects this year. There will be food, friends, fun -- and envelopes to stuff, of course! Can you help for an hour or two? Please come when you can, leave when you must. To RSVP, call 302-5263, email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org, or just show up on Monday at the Land Trust office, 1100 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor (parking is free). Hope you can help!

Saturday November 10, 9:00 a.m. - VOLUNTEER DAY: Bridge Building! Join us to help build a pedestrian bridge at the Land Trust’s Beckwith Conservancy in Stockbridge. Today, we'll need the most people in the morning at 9 o’clock, to help move and place the bridge beams.  After that, you’re free to “opt in” or “opt out” of the afternoon session of bridge construction, until 3 pm, which likely will not require quite as many people.  Food will be provided.  Since we are working around a river, waders or tall boots are definitely recommended.
Location: M-106 in Stockbridge, at Maple Street. Please park at the home at the end of Maple Street. (Map) Please call or email to let us know if you can help, and contact us if you're interested in carpooling, by calling 734-302-5263 or emailing mark@washtenawlandtrust.org. You'll receive more information shortly before the 10th.
Photos from the bridge-building!

Saturday November 10, 1:00-5:00 p.m. - Invasive Shrub Busters. Learn about invasive shrubs from Laurel Malvitz, Natural Resource Steward for the State Park Stewardship Unit. As we stroll through the Teahen prairie at Brighton Recreation Area, she will teach us about invasive woody plants in southeast Michigan. You will learn interesting facts about the history and biology of many common invasive shrubs and how to identify them year-round. After the walk, Laurel will lead an invasive shrub removal workday/training where you will learn effective techniques for controlling woody invaders. Cost: $5 or FREE if you volunteer at the workday following! Meet on Teahen Road; look for a blue state truck where the road makes a 90 degree turn (one of many). Roadside parking. For a park map go to www.michigan.gov/brighton and click on "Unit Map": link. To register: register online or call 248.359.9057. (Stewardship Network)

Saturday December 1, 6-8 p.m. - Year-End Celebration - Join organizations and individuals from throughout the region to celebrate our collective efforts in 2007 to pull together for nature. There will be music, food, a slide show, and wonderful people who care about nature. Everyone is welcome! As a bonus: The Conservatory will be open for a rare evening opportunity to stroll through the indoor collections! Feel free to bring a dish to pass or $5, but most importantly bring yourself and anyone else interested in celebrating all the great efforts going on locally to care for our natural lands and waters.
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor, 48105. Questions or to RSVP: Call Lisa or Brooke at 734-996-3190.
(Stewardship Network Huron Arbor Cluster leadership provided by: City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation, Huron River Watershed Council, UM Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation, and Washtenaw Land Trust.)

Past Events - 2006

Sunday January 8, 7:30 p.m. - A Michigan Songwriters' Festival: All on a Michigan Night. Treat yourself to Michigan's top songwriters, storytellers, writers, and historians performing original works about Michigan. This family-friendly benefit concert supports the Washtenaw Land Trust's work to preserve our fast-vanishing green spaces. It's a grassroots effort, and a great evening of music! For more information, visit www.embassyhotelrecords.com. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster and at The Ark Box Office, 316 S. Main Street in Ann Arbor. Hope you can join us!

Thursday February 2, 6:00 p.m. - "Forests Forever" workshop: Non-governmental ways to save your land from development. This workshop will outline several techniques to help you plan for the future of your land. The emphasis will be on those tools not requiring governmental intervention, that can be voluntarily done right now. Co-sponsored by Michigan State University Extension for Jackson County and the Washtenaw Land Trust. Location: MSU Extension-Jackson County Conference Room, 1715 Lansing Avenue, Suite 257, in Jackson. Registration: $15, refreshments are provided. To register or for more information, please contact Phil Tocco at 517-788-4292 by January 30.

Tuesday March 21 and Thursday, March 30, 7:00-8:30 p.m.- Volunteer opportunity: Mailing Days. Extra hands needed! Come help fold letters and stuff envelopes for membership mailings. Can you help? Sign up today! 734-302-LAND(5263) or info@washtenawlandtrust.org.

Saturday April 22, noon-4:00 p.m. - Earth Day Festival 2006. This year's festival includes a wide range of kid-friendly activities, entertainment for children and adults, plus an "all-species" parade. At the Land Trust's table, come try your hand at identifying animal tracks as you learn "Whose footprints are these?" Sponsored by the City of Ann Arbor.

Sunday May 7, 2:00-4:00 p.m. - Spring Stewardship workday and hike at Sharon Hills Nature Preserve. You can help finish marking the final remaining sections of the trails at the preserve! Registration requested - please contact us at 734-302-LAND(5263).

Saturday May 13, 10:00 a.m.-noon - Guided Forest Hike at Sharon Hills Nature Preserve with Andy Henriksen, forester with the local Conservation District and creator of our forest plan for this preserve. See the results of our prescribed burn and learn how to keep forests healthy! Registration requested - please contact us at 734-302-LAND(5263).

Saturday June 10, 1:00 p.m. - Ice Cream Social and Land Preservation Celebration! - Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon at the Vershum family dairy farm. Learn how the Land Trust helped protect this farm, hear about current projects to conserve other local open spaces and natural areas, enjoy an ice cream social, and get a glimpse into life on a working farm. This family-friendly event is open to all Land Trust members and friends- come join us! Registration is requested (so we know how many ice cream spoons to get!) To register, please contact us at 734-302-LAND(5263). Map to the Vershum family dairy farm

Friday June 16, 6:00-9:00 p.m. - Green Fair - This year's fair includes a wide range of kid-friendly activities and entertainment for children and adults. At the Land Trust's table, give a try at identifying animal tracks as you learn "Whose footprints are these?" Sponsored by the City of Ann Arbor.

Sunday July 9, noon. - Huron River Day. Celebrate the beautiful Huron River at a series of events along (and on!) the river. The Land Trust will be at a "halfway stop" at Bandemer Park for canoers voyaging from Delhi Park to Gallup Park. You can come join us at noon to learn how parks like Bandemer have become part of a connected river greenway, and learn about future plans for the park. (City of Ann Arbor)

August 11 & 12 - Saline Summerfest - This year's Summerfest is a birthday party for the City of Saline - plus music, kids activities, sidewalk sales, and more. The Land Trust will be part of the fun on Friday 5-9pm and Saturday 8am-noon. (City of Saline)

Saturday Sep. 16 - Stewardship workday at Beckwith Nature Conservancy near Stockbridge. Please contact us at 734-302-LAND(5263) for details.

Monday Sep. 18 - Free community concert: Forever Wild 2006 - Tales, Tunes and Photos with Walkin' Jim Stoltz. With special guests Kitty Donohoe, Matt Watroba, and the Long Hairz Collective. The Land Trust has some tickets on hand; contact our office at 734-302-LAND(5263).

Tuesday Oct. 3, 6:30 pm- Is Protecting Your Land Right For You? Ask the Experts. Come learn what it takes to protect your land with a conservation agreement and if this is a good option for you. Pose your questions to an expert panel of lawyers, appraisers, tax accountants and estate planners, and receive materials you can take home with you. This session is ideal for landowners and anyone interested in learning more about conservation options. More information and registration details

Saturday Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-Noon - Fall Forest Hike at Sharon Hills Nature Preserve. As the leaves change color this season, get a first-hand forest tour with Andy Henriksen, forester with Washtenaw County Conservation District. FREE - public welcome. To sign up and get directions: 734-302-LAND(5263).

2005 Events Calendar

Thursday, January 6 - A Michigan Songwriters' Festival. A benefit concert for the Washtenaw Land Trust featuring Eric Kelly, Chris Buhalis, Jay Stielstra, John Latini, The Great Lakes Myth Society, Dave Boutette, and more! At The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Show starts at 8 pm, doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets available at The Ark Box Office (734)761-1800, the Michigan Union Ticket Office (734) 763-TKTS (8587), and Herb David Guitar Studio (734) 665-8001.

Wednesday, February 2 - SNRE Distinguished Speaker Series. "Global Plan Conservation" with Peter Raven, Director of Missouri Botanical Garden. 6 pm in Hale Auditorium, Business School, followed by a public reception. For more information, visit www.snre.umich.edu or call 734.763.1577. (This is not a Washtenaw Land Trust event.)

Sunday, May 15 - Stewardship workday and hike at the land trust's Sharon Hills Nature Preserve. Join us at 2:00 pm for a clean-up, followed at 4:00 pm by a short presentation on hawks (including seeing a live red-tail from the Raptor Center!) plus a guided hike with a naturalist. If you wish, you're welcome to arrive after the workday portion, at 4 p.m., for the hawk presentation and the short hike. Please call to RSVP- 734.302.LAND(5263). Driving directions

Saturday, May 21 - Farmland Preservation Celebration! Hop on our chartered coach and head out to tour two recently protected farms. Tour traditional farm buildings, learn about biodynamic organic farming, and taste delicious homemade treats from local farms. The tour is from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and departs from and returns to the NEW Center Building in Ann Arbor (1100 N. Main Street). Space is limited; please RSVP by May 13, 2005 - 734.302.LAND(5263). Map to the NEW Center Building

Saturday, July 9 - Forest Association Hike at Sharon Hills. Collin Burnett, of the Michigan Forest Association, is leading a hike at Washtenaw Land Trust’s Sharon Hills Nature Preserve in western Washtenaw County. The hike begins at noon with a social hour – bring a brown-bag lunch. Learn forest basics: Tree identification, impacts of soil and site, and the succession of new growth to old growth. Come be a “forest sleuth” and learn what the trees can tell you! Directions

August (postponed) - Stewardship workday and hike at the Beckwith Conservancy. Please call for directions - 734.302.LAND(5263).

September (postponed) - Washtenaw United Way Day of Caring, at Creekshead Nature Preserve.

Thursday, September 22 -Estate Planning & Land Protection Strategies Workshop. Steve Small, the nation's foremost expert on estate planning for private land protection, will lead a morning workshop targeted to professional advisors (lawyers, accountants, estate planners, financial planners, etc.) More information

Saturday, October 1 (postponed) - Stewardship workday and hike at the Beckwith Conservancy. Please call for directions - 734.302.LAND(5263).

2004 Events Calendar

March 7 - Waterloo Stakeholders meeting (read the press release)

March 15 - Presentation for the Johnson Creek Protection Group

April 24 - Presentation for the Pittsfield Township Hike & Bike Tour

May 26 - 'Preserving Your Rural Land' Forum for landowners

June 3 - Friends of Washtenaw Land Trust Summer Reception, with guest speaker Tom Freeman, Superintendent of Park Planning for Washtenaw County

June 6 - Ann Arbor Green Fair

June 20 - Stewardship workday and hike at the Beckwith Conservancy

July 7 - Manchester Fair

July 18 - Washtenaw Land Trust Summer Picnic

August-September - "Canister days" at Whole Foods Market in Ann Arbor in the months of August and September. Your spare change can protect land in our region!

October 3 - Stewardship workday and hike at the Beckwith Conservancy. Reservations are requested: 734.302.LAND (5263).

October 5 - Washtenaw Land Trust 11th Annual Fall Dinner, 6 p.m. This harvest celebration was held at Cobblestone Farm in Ann Arbor. The event included "Local Land Trusts: Global Context" with featured speaker Dean Rosina Bierbaum of the U-M School of Natural Resources and Environment. The evening also included wonderful live music and a full-course dinner with locally grown foods.

November 19 - Michigan Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Workshop. Friday, November 19, 2004, 1-3 pm, Scio Township Hall, 827 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor. Additional information

Other Local Conservation Events (Stewardship Network Online)

More Land Protection News