FSMW Board Meeting (June 18, 2026)

Online Zoom Meeting June 18 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 
   • New DTE call for projects – Michael
   • Work Day report / Garlic Mustard Status -Judy
   • Climate Justice Expo – Pat
   • REI Volunteers – Judy
   • Sign renewal – Julie
   • Pond sign fix – Michael
   • Data on condition of the pond – Pat
   • Delivery of the wood chips – Pat
   • Entrance sign renewal – Julie
5. Treasurer’s Report – Pat Frey
6. Volunteer Report – Autumn
7. Scarlett Nature Club – Pat Frey
8. Old Business
   • Salinity meters – Michael
   • Poop signs – Janet, Judy
   • Making SMW more bird-friendly 
   • Stakes
   • Future projects for DTE funding
     • New replacement boardwalks – Phil
     • Pond aeration 
     • (see attached list of project ideas)
9. New Business 
   • Plastic Mesh issue
   • Tick dragging – Washtenaw County Health Department
   • Next workday – first Saturday is July 4.  Do we want to try 7/11?
10. Next Meeting: July 16, 2026
11. Adjournment

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