The Friends of Dicken Woods include over 258 neighbors and residents of the Dicken Elementary School neighborhood, in addition to other concerned citizens of Ann Arbor who appreciate the value of Dicken Woods as an ecological, educational and recreational community asset.
In February 2009, The Friends of Dicken Woods marked its fifth anniversary of caring for Dicken Woods Nature Area. During that five years the Friends have maintained a high level of activity in the Dicken Woods, working to protect and improve the Woods.
Each year, the Friends have two major work days, one in the spring and one in the fall. The spring wrk day is dedicated to planting trees and bushes the Natural Area Preservation staff has identified as native and desirable. Annually, the Friends plant 150 to 200 seedling trees purchased by the Friends. The fall work day is dedicated to removal of invasive species, such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, and autumn olive. Additionally, the Friends have virtually eradicated dames rocket and garlic mustard.
The Friends of Dicken Woods have developed a close relationship with the Dicken Elementary School. Each year, the Friends provide grants to fund science programs which relate to the Woods. The programs are selected to be age appropriate and relevant to each grade’s curriculum. Additionally, the Friends also work with the Elementary School in holding its tremendously popular Midwinter Candlelight Walk. Students create luminaries in their art classes and the Friends line the paths into and through the Woods with these candle lit luminaries. Students, parents, neighbors, friends and even an occasional Council Member walk the beautifully lit, snowy paths on a cold winter night. After the walk, all join together in the school’s all-purpose room for hot chocolate, cookies and neighborly conversation.
