FSMW Board Meeting (March 19, 2026)

Online Zoom Meeting March 19 7:30, Thursday

FSMW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. In this meeting we will explore what we as a community can do to manage and care for Scarlett Mitchell Woods, the central 40 acres of the Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area. This area contains the heart of the woods and the pond, which was dredged in 1982. It is owned by the Ann Arbor Public Schools and is no longer managed by Nature Area Preservation. Help us to implement actions to fulfill our vision of Scarlett Mitchell Woods hosting native life, that contains no invasive species, and that invites community members to walk, enjoy and learn.

For more information contact: Judy Schmidt or phone Mike at: 734-395-8959

Agenda

1. Hellos/ Introductions as needed
2. Agenda: Adoption/ Modification – Approval
3. Approval of Minutes of Prior Meeting
4. News, Announcements 
   • Spring Fair – Sarah
   • Completion of boardwalk east of pond – Phil
5. Treasurer’s Report – Pat Frey
6. Scarlett Nature Club – Pat Frey
7. Old Business
   • Tree across trail – west section – Judy
   • Poop – Janet, Judy
   • DTE Boardwalk design – Phil
   • Platt Road entrance boardwalk
   • Archiving
8. New Business 
   • Next workday – April 4th
   • Spring Walk(s)
   • Approve increase in burn scope and expense to $3550 ( Includes Units 1-3, also extending the burn north to the loop trail, and adding Unit 4 (the pond area)—$300*  = $3550
9. Next Meeting: April 16, 2026
10. Adjournment

Minutes

1. Hellos/ Introductions as needed
2. Agenda: Adoption/ Modification – Approval
3. Approval of Minutes of Prior Meeting
4. News, Announcements 
   • Colonial Square Spring Fair – Judy S, Sarah Redman, Mike B. and PH were there. There was a good turnout, and it was a lively event. Judy S made a notebook of collages of workdays, etc. PH gave a PowerPoint presentation of workdays and events. SR put together binders showing the history of the pond. Some new people signed up for our mailing list. PH led people on a short walk into the woods (a small loop in the west end). 
   • Completion of boardwalk east of pond – PH. PH added 8 more feet to the section south of the pond; that section is done. The next step is to add a 5’ wide boardwalk west of the pond.
5. Treasurer’s Report –  PF. Since the last treasurer’s report, we received a $50 donation from Ann Arbor Guys for Good and spent $71 on wood for the boardwalk. We have $6865.90 in the bank and + $929.08 on a Visa card, for a grand total of $7794.98.
6. Scarlett Nature Club – PF. PF restarted Nature Club after a 3-month hiatus during the exceptionally cold winter. One student showed up at the last meeting, and they had a good time; PF is expecting more students next week. PF asked if the Nature Club kids should remove the buckthorn baggies before the upcoming burn; Judy S says it’s not necessary, as we’re not planning to burn that area. Judy S asked if Nature Club could be part of this year’s Climate Expo; PF will look into it.
7. Old Business:
   • Tree across trail, west section – Judy S. Judy S says the tree isn’t blocking the trail anymore—someone cut it. PH said someone did cut it but didn’t completely clear the trail, so he finished the job.
   • Dog poop – JR, Judy S. Someone has regularly been letting their dog poop near the wood chips by the entrance. JR emailed NAP and asked about getting no-poop signs to post at the Platt Road and Turnberry entrances. NAP can’t provide one for the main entrance, as that is school property. Judy S recommended emailing Liz Margolis of AAPS central administration, who helped us get the no camping signs. We discussed whether it would be possible to use a motion-activated security camera to identify the culprit, but there wasn’t much enthusiasm for spending the money or the time. JR noted that there’s a city fine for not picking up after your dog. Judy suggested posting about it on social media. We decided not to take any further measures until we see how Liz Margolis responds.
   • DTE Boardwalk design – PH. The boardwalk will 5 feet wide, with a sleeper pad and cross rails (2x6s). It will be sturdy! PH wants it to be wide because that’s the main loop, and it would be great if it could support the mowing tractor. Construction will likely begin in May.
   • Platt Road entrance boardwalk – Judy S. The conditions at the Platt Road entrance are dangerous now, with lots of water, some ice, and some branches that people put there. Can we get NAP to put a boardwalk there? NAP did work there before, so there’s a precedent. There needs to be a better solution, especially when the new housing across from Platt is occupied and more people will enter the woods that way. 
   • Archiving – Judy sent message to the library and got a positive response. She will provide more details at the next meeting.
   • Wooden sign by entrance – MS. The sign needs attention. Manfred will clean it, and Julie S volunteered to repaint it.
8. New Business:
   • Next workday – April 4, 12-2 p.m.  
   • Spring Walk(s) –  Judy S. Judy S is thinking about a tree bark identification walk. PH suggested a sunrise/sunset walk and/or a singalong. 
   • Proposed increase in burn scope and expense to $3550.  This represents a $300 increase over the previously agreed-upon expense, for a total of $3550. The new scope includes Units 1-3, extends the burn north to the Loop Trail, and adds Unit 4 (the pond area). The increase was approved unanimously.
9. Next Meeting: April 16, 2026
10. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.

Attachment 2:  Inventory of Ideas: Field Days!  Lots of Options!

• (aka Ideas for Spring Unfolding and other seasonal walks in the woods)

Education and Fun

• Search for amphibians – learn their calls – March/April
• Identify Fungi – early spring – September/October Study Group 
• Spring Ephemerals –  (Spring Beauty, May Apples, Trillium, etc) April/May
• Insect relationships – Native bees; carrion beetles; mosquitoes, caterpillars
• Birding for beginners – Spring migration
• Owl prowl 
• Pond dipping – May
• Vernal pools
• Geology of the woods – study group?
• Mosses and lichens – study group?
• Tree flowers and buds
• Bat house

Data Collection

• Library tool collection (?)
• Binoculars
• Measure highway noise in the woods – various seasons
• Solicit expertise from our Friends group and the wider community
• Using identification apps
• FSMW Walk to evaluate which areas to concentrate on next

Work Days 

• Searching for and pulling garlic mustard, and other tender invasive plants
• Removing buckthorn baggies
• Obtaining and spreading wood chips on the trails
• Fixing boards on trails 
• Coating benches
• Repainting signposts so they are readable
• Planting seeds and seedlings
• Repair or replace trail markers that are rotting.  Do we have a scout troop we can contact?
• Remove poison ivy
• Pocket Forest planting and maintenance