This Earth Day, do something fun, meaningful, and local! Check out the full week of activities at County Farm Park, ranging from guided hikes to volunteer opportunities. Meet your neighbors, get outside, and have a great time!
To register, visit parksonline.ewashtenaw.org, and search for activity #831009, or e-mail Matthew Bertrand at bertrandm@washtenaw.org.
NOTE: these volunteer events are cross-posted in the ongoing Neighborhood Nature and Wildflower Ranger opportunities.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
NEIGHBORHOOD NATURE DAY
Saturday April 15
1-4pm
County Farm Park – Medford Rd Entrance
Celebrate Earth Month by taking care of nature! Our experienced team of Park Stewards will work with you teaching how to remove invasive plants like garlic mustard and empowering you to protect wildflowers in your favorite natural areas. You’ll get off-trail outdoor exercise and develop a sense of well-being in nature, all while enjoying an exceptional community-building experience. This hike will be both on and off-trail and is appropriate for moderate fitness level. Led by Park Steward, Jonathan Parker.
Saturday April 15
1-4pm
County Farm Park – Medford Rd Entrance
Celebrate Earth Month by taking care of nature! Our experienced team of Park Stewards will work with you teaching how to remove invasive plants like garlic mustard and empowering you to protect wildflowers in your favorite natural areas. You’ll get off-trail outdoor exercise and develop a sense of well-being in nature, all while enjoying an exceptional community-building experience. This hike will be both on and off-trail and is appropriate for moderate fitness level. Led by Park Steward, Jonathan Parker.
NEIGHBORHOOD NATURE DAY
Monday April 17
1-4pm
County Farm Park – Medford Rd Entrance
Celebrate Earth Month by taking care of nature! Our experienced team of Park Stewards will work with you teaching how to remove invasive plants like garlic mustard and empowering you to protect wildflowers in your favorite natural areas. You’ll get off-trail outdoor exercise and develop a sense of well-being in nature, all while enjoying an exceptional community-building experience. This hike will be both on and off-trail and is appropriate for moderate fitness level. Led by Park Steward Jonathan Parker.
Monday April 17
1-4pm
County Farm Park – Medford Rd Entrance
Celebrate Earth Month by taking care of nature! Our experienced team of Park Stewards will work with you teaching how to remove invasive plants like garlic mustard and empowering you to protect wildflowers in your favorite natural areas. You’ll get off-trail outdoor exercise and develop a sense of well-being in nature, all while enjoying an exceptional community-building experience. This hike will be both on and off-trail and is appropriate for moderate fitness level. Led by Park Steward Jonathan Parker.
WILDFLOWER RANGERS AT COUNTY FARM PARK
Saturday April 22
10-12pm or 1-3pm
County Farm Park – Medford Rd Entrance
Learn to identify common spring ephemeral wildflowers and get trained as a Wildflower Ranger on how to protect wildflowers in your favorite natural areas. Through this hands-on service-learning activity removing invasive garlic mustard, you’ll get off-trail outdoor exercise and develop a sense of well-being in nature, all while enjoying an exceptional community-building experience. Led by Volunteer Coordinator Matthew Bertrand. Snacks, water, and gloves provided (bring your own water bottle).
Saturday April 22
10-12pm or 1-3pm
County Farm Park – Medford Rd Entrance
Learn to identify common spring ephemeral wildflowers and get trained as a Wildflower Ranger on how to protect wildflowers in your favorite natural areas. Through this hands-on service-learning activity removing invasive garlic mustard, you’ll get off-trail outdoor exercise and develop a sense of well-being in nature, all while enjoying an exceptional community-building experience. Led by Volunteer Coordinator Matthew Bertrand. Snacks, water, and gloves provided (bring your own water bottle).
ADDITIONAL NON-VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NATURE WALK
Tuesday April 18
10-11am
County Farm Park – playground pavilion
Learn more about rain gardens, stormwater basins and how to keep our rivers healthy through this guided nature walk through County Farm Park. We’ll talk about how green infrastructure works, native plants and what you can do at your own home to make a difference. Everyone can make changes to their own landscape and home that can help our nearby rivers and streams. This hike will be both on and off-trail and is appropriate for moderate fitness level. Led by Catie Wytychak, with the Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner.
Tuesday April 18
10-11am
County Farm Park – playground pavilion
Learn more about rain gardens, stormwater basins and how to keep our rivers healthy through this guided nature walk through County Farm Park. We’ll talk about how green infrastructure works, native plants and what you can do at your own home to make a difference. Everyone can make changes to their own landscape and home that can help our nearby rivers and streams. This hike will be both on and off-trail and is appropriate for moderate fitness level. Led by Catie Wytychak, with the Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner.
COUNTY FARM WALK & TALK: URBAN NATURE IN PARKS AND AT HOME
Wednesday April 19
5-6:30pm
County Farm Park – Platt Road Pavilion
Wild nature is all around us! Grow your awareness of nature in the city and learn to bring nature home while taking a spring stroll. We will share inspiration for your own home landscaping, informed both by natural scenery and the instructor's experience as a native plant landscape designer. This gentle hike is appropriate for all ability levels. Led by Volunteer Coordinator Matthew Bertrand, MLA.
Wednesday April 19
5-6:30pm
County Farm Park – Platt Road Pavilion
Wild nature is all around us! Grow your awareness of nature in the city and learn to bring nature home while taking a spring stroll. We will share inspiration for your own home landscaping, informed both by natural scenery and the instructor's experience as a native plant landscape designer. This gentle hike is appropriate for all ability levels. Led by Volunteer Coordinator Matthew Bertrand, MLA.
NEW MOON HIKE & CAMPFIRE
Thursday April 20
7:30-9:00pm
Unwind on the trails and connect with nature in this evening hike. We will learn about the surprising diversity of nocturnal creatures that call County Farm Park home. Hike will end with a campfire and s’mores. We will be walking about ¾ mile on level natural surface trails. Led by Naturalist Shawn Severance. Hike appropriate for all ages.
Thursday April 20
7:30-9:00pm
Unwind on the trails and connect with nature in this evening hike. We will learn about the surprising diversity of nocturnal creatures that call County Farm Park home. Hike will end with a campfire and s’mores. We will be walking about ¾ mile on level natural surface trails. Led by Naturalist Shawn Severance. Hike appropriate for all ages.
