June events in SE MI!

Looking for fun outdoor opportunities in the next few weeks? Look no further!

* * * * * * * * *
Tuesday, June 16 - 7:30 pm
Up the River With a Paddle: Five Unknown Canoe Trips in Southeast Michigan
This month's Sierra Club public meeting will feature a presentation by Barry Lonik and Ron Sell about terrific paddling trips that very few people know about -- all right here in our backyard.
No membership is required to attend. Newcomers are welcome to this free, family-friendly, public event, which begins at 7:30 pm at the lovely Matthaei Botanical Gardens, located at 1800 N. Dixboro Road, just east of Ann Arbor and US-23.

* * * * * * * * *

Wednesday, June 17 -7:30pm
Washtenaw Audubon Society
Birders and Their Lists
Join Don “The Man” Chalfant for a program on the many, varied, and sometimes bizarre lists that birders keep. Don will take you far beyond the simple Yard List and Life List, deep into the realm of Total Ticks and other esoteric listing. Don is a Master Birder, a certified Bird Magnet, and has a Washtenaw County life list of 285 species, a Michigan life list of 362, and an ABA Area life list of 757.
Washtenaw Audubon programs are held at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 North Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor. Call Washtenaw Audubon at 677-3275 for more information about the program, or check www.washtenawaudubon.org

* * * * * * * * *

Thursday, June 18th - 10:30 a.m.
Washtenaw County Parks
Who Lives Here? - Poking Around the Pond! (for kids of all ages) at Rolling Hills
Join Faye Stoner for this program to look for and learn about life in the pond – fish, tadpoles, dragonflies, turtles…..what will we find? Nets will be provided, all creatures released at program’s end. Registration required for program. Park entry fee required at Rolling Hills.
Program is free. Call 971- 6337 or visit parks.ewashtenaw.org for general info; call/email stonerf@ewashtenaw.org for program information.

* * * * * * * * *

Thursday June 18- 7:00 pm
Ann Arbor District Library
Take a Hike! @Lakewood Nature Area
Join the City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation staff in a botanical walk through Lakewood Nature Area. Meet in the parking lot of Lakewood School, 344 Gralake. A staff naturalist will point out wildflowers, trees, and shrubs and talk about ecological restoration, as well as volunteer activities in Ann Arbor Parks, recreation opportunities, and responsible use of public lands. Plenty of time will be available for questions. This event is held in conjunction with the summer reading program, Local Motion, which encourages the use of local neighborhoods, gyms, recreational facilities and outdoor areas to move and get fit!

* * * * * * * * *

Saturday, June 20th - 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Washtenaw County Parks
Going on a Turtle Hunt at Independence Lake
Faye Stoner will lead a hike to look for turtles in the park, and then the group will head inside for a program to learn more about them. Live turtles will definitely be part of this program, with all turtles being released at end of program time. Park entry fee required.
Program is free. Call 971- 6337 or visit parks.ewashtenaw.org for general info; call/email stonerf@ewashtenaw.org for program information

* * * * * * * * *

June 20, Saturday - 10am-1pm
Natural Area Preservation
Redbud Nature Area Stewardship Workday
Help us kick off Pollinator Week and work to preserve this high quality floodplain forest, one which is rare and special in the Ann Arbor area! We need your help to ensure future generations will have the opportunity to experience the treasures this nature area has to offer within our urban landscape. Minors are welcome to join us for this fun workday, but need to bring a guardian or contact NAP in advance to obtain a release form. We provide tools and yummy snacks. Please wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. We’ll meet up at the park entrance at the intersection of Parkwood Avenue and Jeanne Street.
Call 734.794.6627 with any questions about NAP programs or visit http://www.a2gov.org/napvolunteering.

* * * * * * * * *

Saturday, June 20: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Michigan State Parks
Brighton Recreation Area
Like to kill weeds? Help restore this beautiful prairie by removing garlic mustard and sweet clover that could otherwise take over. Meet at the Teahen prairie entrance (look for a state truck where the road makes a 90 degree turns). Roadside parking.
Join us in planting native plants and pulling garlic mustard from our high-quality natural ecosystems. Please wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work including long pants and closed-toe shoes, and to bring drinking water. We will have work gloves; bring your own if you like
For more information, a map or directions, and to register please visit www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers ; click on the "Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays" link under Current Volunteer Opportunities. Contact Laurel Malvitz-Draper, Natural Resource Steward - Department of Natural Resources, at malvitzl@michigan.gov or 248-359-9057

* * * * * * * * *

Saturday, June 20 - 11am - 1pm
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy
LeFurge Stewardship Volunteer Event: buckthorn removal
Location: 3268 N Prospect Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (1/8 mile south of Ford Road)
Come help keep invasive buckthorn from taking over this very nice meadow. Lots of helpers will mean we can keep this special open space habitat rich in grassland birds and wildflowers. We'll have gloves and loppers available or bring your own. Shrubs will be small and relatively easy to cut. All ages and skill levels welcome - please, no pets.

Questions about these events? Contact Scott Tyrrell at styrrell@SMLCland.org / 734-484-6565.

* * * * * * * * *

Saturday, June 20 - 11am - 1pm
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy
LeFurge Stewardship Volunteer Event: buckthorn removal
Location: 3268 N Prospect Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (1/8 mile south of Ford Road)
Come help keep invasive buckthorn from taking over this very nice meadow. Lots of helpers will mean we can keep this special open space habitat rich in grassland birds and wildflowers. We'll have gloves and loppers available or bring your own. Shrubs will be small and relatively easy to cut. All ages and skill levels welcome - please, no pets.
Questions about these events? Contact Scott Tyrrell at styrrell@SMLCland.org / 734-484-6565.

* * * * * * * * *

June 20, Saturday - 4-6pm
Natural Area Preservation
Buhr Park Children’s Wet Meadow Potluck & Stewardship Workday
Kids of all ages and their parents are welcome to join us to help make the wet meadow more welcoming to pollinators to help celebrate Pollinator Week! We’ll build nest boxes from the hollow stems of native plants, and install them throughout the park. We’ll talk about the importance of pollinators for the serviceberries, raspberries and elderberries growing nearby. We'll also discuss how kids can be safe around bees. Bring hats, and sunscreen. Bring a dish to share for a potluck to follow the workday! Meet in the playground parking lot next to the tennis court at Cobblestone.
Call 734.794.6627 with any questions about NAP programs or visit http://www.a2gov.org/napvolunteering.

* * * * * * * * *

Saturday, June 20- 7:30 p.m
Music at Rancho Tranquilico
Billy King & the Idylls
The remarkable Idylls return with their mix of superb originals and tasty covers by Elvis, Travelling Wilburys, Paul Simon and others to benefit the Legacy Land Conservancy. The band: http://billykingdom.com/
For both events, the music starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. in a lovely barn out in the country. Bonfire to follow around 10:00. Dancing is permitted, but not required, by Dexter Township ordinance. All ages welcome, snacks and alcohol-free beverages provided. Contact Barry Lonik at BLonik13@aol.com if you would like further information.
Suggested donation is $10/person, $15/couple, $20/family, with more always welcome. Tax deductible you know.
Location: 11300 Island Lake Rd., west of downtown Dexter by four miles (12 miles from downtown AA). Enter at the next driveway west for Ruhlig's Farm Market.

* * * * * * * * *

Sunday, June 21st – 1 to 3 p.m.
Washtenaw County Parks
Summer Prairie Walk at Leonard Preserve in Manchester Township
Shawn Severance will lead this walk to look for wood lilies and other wildflowers, and to pull some spotted knapweed in the dry sand prairie.
Program is free, as is park admittance. Call 971- 6337 or visit parks.ewashtenaw.org for general info; call/email stonerf@ewashtenaw.org for program information.

* * * * * * * * *

Thursday, June 25 - 7pm
Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy
Green Infrastructure: Restoring the Allen Creek Floodway
The public is invited to hear a panel presentation and pose questions on how proper management of the Allen Creek floodway can improve both Ann Arbor's water quality and quality of place.
The panel: Janis Bobrin, Water Resources Commissioner, Washtenaw County; Shannon Gibb-Randall, Landscape Architect, Insite Design; Jerry Hancock, Stormwater & Floodplain Program Coordinator, City of Ann Arbor; Laura Rubin, Executive Director, Huron River Watershed Council. Moderator: Margaret Wong, Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy board.
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Multi-Purpose Room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Free. 998-2546.

* * * * * * * * *

Earthwork Family Weekend 2009
GET REGISTERED NOW!
June 26th, 27th and 28th, 2009
Earthwork Farm
4399 N 7-mile rd
Lake City, MI 49651
The costs for this year will be $55 for children 4 and up, $75 for adults and $30 each for Saturday day pass.
Family Weekend is all about... Creative empowerment! Ecological education! and Community building! We will share in the creation of puppets, paintings, drawings and all kinds of visual art all weekend long! We will be moving and shakin' with dance, theatre, and games. We will be able to participate in the writing, performing and recording of original songs, and will go home with a CD! (Each year at least three songs are collectively written, recorded and performed at F.W. on Saturday and on Sunday we duplicate CDs and make original album cover art!) We will drum together and discover our natural rhythms. We will all be able to speak and be heard and also to listen to everyone in the circle as we group up and check in throughout the weekend. We will learn about the plants and animals native to this farm and this region and look into the interconnectedness of the living world. We will all be able to perform at the Talent Show on Saturday night! Featuring the most enthusiastic audience since Frampton Comes Alive! We will learn primitive and practical skills like starting a fire without matches, organic gardening or the art of dishwashing!
We will serve dinner on Friday, breakfast lunch and dinner on Saturday and brunch on Sunday. We offer healthy, fresh, vegetarian meals and seek local organic ingredients as much as possible. Family Weekend is a wonderful way to meet new friends, bring art and the creative process further into your home and cultivate deeper connections. We hope you can come and share with us!

* * * * * * * * *

Saturday, June 27- 7:30 p.m
Music at Rancho Tranquilico
Black Train
Songs about trains, heartache and redemption with outstanding vocal harmonies and musicianship to benefit the Huron River Watershed Council. The band: http://www.myspace.com/blacktrain
For both events, the music starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. in a lovely barn out in the country. Bonfire to follow around 10:00. Dancing is permitted, but not required, by Dexter Township ordinance. All ages welcome, snacks and alcohol-free beverages provided. Contact Barry Lonik at BLonik13@aol.com if you would like further information.
Suggested donation is $10/person, $15/couple, $20/family, with more always welcome. Tax deductible you know.
Location: 11300 Island Lake Rd., west of downtown Dexter by four miles (12 miles from downtown AA). Enter at the next driveway west for Ruhlig's Farm Market.

* * * * * * * * *

July 14: 7:30 - 8:45 pm
The Sierra Club's Book Club
American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon, by Steve Rinella
Start reading today!
It's simple. Read the book designated for one of the monthly meetings, and show up ready to talk about it with friendly people. Meetings run from 7:30 - 8:45 pm at Nicola's Books in the Westgate Shopping Center at the corner of Jackson and Maple Roads in west Ann Arbor.

Everyone's welcome to attend. No cost, no membership, no RSVP required. Newcomers are especially welcome. Contact Book Club coordinator Nancy Shiffler at nshiffler@comcast.net if you have a question.

* * * * * * * * *

August 11: 7:30 - 8:45 pm
The Sierra Club's Book Club
Winter Study, by Nevada Barr -- a mystery set among the wolf studies on Isle Royale
Start reading today!
It's simple. Read the book designated for one of the monthly meetings, and show up ready to talk about it with friendly people. Meetings run from 7:30 - 8:45 pm at Nicola's Books in the Westgate Shopping Center at the corner of Jackson and Maple Roads in west Ann Arbor.
Everyone's welcome to attend. No cost, no membership, no RSVP required. Newcomers are especially welcome. Contact Book Club coordinator Nancy Shiffler at nshiffler@comcast.net if you have a question.