2016 Burn was successful on Tuesday, April 5

Due to weather conditions, the was re-scheduled to Tuesday, April 5.The weather was sunny and cool. A breeze helped the smoke lift and disperse.

Many children, parents and neighbors helped with seed collection and dispersal. All watched the burn from a safe distance.

As usual, we spent time explaining why the wet meadows are important and why controlled burning helps the native plants.

Wet Meadow Burn 2016 Edition: April 4, 4:30 PM

The annual burn at the Buhr Park Children's Wet Meadow(s) will be on Monday April 4, 2016 at 4:30 PM. Come earlier and help out and watch as burns progress through other parts of the park.

The burn is weather-dependent, so check back in here or on Facebook for updates.

Location:
Buhr Park
2751 Packard Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

"Tickle bees" at Buhr

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You may have seen this video about "tickle bees" at an elementary school in Portland, OR.
http://www.katu.com/familymatters/go_green/TICKLE-BEES-255872371.html
 
These are stngless, solitary native bees that nest in bare soil (in this case a school playground. ) For several years the Oregon children have been playing with them in early Spring, and call them "tickle bees". (Scientist call them Adrena sp.)

We are lucky to have some of these amazing insects in the Buhr Park Childrens Wet Meadows.They especially like the bare soil in the upper basin of Wet Meadow II.(This is behind the swimming pool, closest to the ice rink.)

Have you seen their  little cones and dirt piles? This time of year, you may also see males cruising about 12 - 14 inches above the ground. (There's a great shot of this in the Oregon video.) Sunny days are best to see the bees in flight.

Volunteer Stewardship Event

 

Friday, July 25, 6:30-8:30pm

In BUHR PARK

(north end of gravel parking lot)

 

*Learn about this project that provides a habitat for native plants and animals,

an attractive educational site for children, neighbors and other visitors, an environmental filter for storm water runoff from the park grounds, and most recently, a model for exploring

the integration of native plants and food production.  

*Tour the 3 wet meadows and the new food forest.

*Dig in and help spread woodchips, pull weeds, plant, mulch. Bring your favorite tools;  

gardening attire recommended.

*Bring family, friends and neighbors. All ages welcome.

 

Refreshments provided. Bring your own drinking cup.  

 

For more information or to learn more about the project: email or call -

www.wetmeadow.org 

Wet Meadow Two - 10th Anniversary!

A team of teens and community volunteers planned and planted the second wet meadow in Buhr Park 10 years ago this summer. It is getting along famously and servings its purposes of capturing rainwater that falls in the park and nearby neighborhoods and making the park a more interesting place for people and critters of all shapes and sizes.

The most interesting feature of wet meadow 2 is the sand zone at the north end. When excavating we were surprised to discover such a sandy area. It has turned out to be a wonderful habitat for cacti, bluestem, and killer wasps.

Butterfly Observations

A local expert in butterfly identification visited the wet meadows recently, with particular attention to the sandy upper basin behind the swimming pool.

He saw cabbage white, long dash, Peck's skipper, Ringlet, red admiral, silver-spotted skipper, and banded hairstreak butterflies. The banded hairstreaks were visiting the butterfly weed.

2014 Wet Meadow Burn - April 9

The 15th annual Wet Meadow Burn took place in Buhr Park on April 9. At about 5:00 PM the NAP crew lead by Tina, lit up Wet Meadow 3. 
 
City of Ann Arbor natural area program staff conduct the annual prescribed burn of the wet meadows.

This year we burned Wet Meadow 2, Wet Meadow 3, the parking lot swale, and several other native plantings. We are hoping to burn Wet Meadow 1 and Wet Meadow 1 extension later in the spring to help control crown vetch.

Burns help manage native landscapes by clearing out old growth, fighting back non-native plants that are not fire-adapted, and preparing the ground for spring growth.