A community forest behind Eberwhite Elementary, Ann Arbor
29 acres of forest, one schoolyard away.
Eberwhite Woods has stood behind the school since long before the building did. Parents, neighbors, and the Eberwhite PTO are working to keep it standing — through stewardship, education, and a closer look at what's actually growing here.
Behind the playground
A forest that isn't as protected as most people think
Eberwhite Woods is roughly 29 acres of forest owned by Ann Arbor Public Schools, with a further 2.5-acre parcel next door owned by the city. The land passed from the University of Michigan to AAPS by deed in 1946. Much of the forest shows the size and structure of old growth, though it's never been formally aged — something a future core sample or historical land survey could settle.
What the woods don't have is a permanent guarantee. The 1946 deed carries a reversion clause, and school district budget pressure has put land on the table before. Most neighbors assume the woods are already city property, or protected outright. Neither is quite true, and that gap is exactly why this site exists.
Did you know?
The woods are district-owned, not city-owned, and their legal status carries a reversion clause rather than a permanent conservation guarantee. Community attention — not assumption — is what keeps them standing.
Field guide
Get to know the woods
Two illustrated field guides cover what's growing in Eberwhite Woods — bring one along, or use it to plan a discovery walk with kids.
Mature Trees Field Guide
Sugar maple, shagbark hickory, American beech, red oak, ironwood, and the other canopy and understory trees that shape the woods.
Open the field guideNative Wildflowers Field Guide
Mayapple, trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, and the other spring wildflowers that carpet the forest floor before the canopy leafs out.
Open the field guideSpotted something you can't identify? Snap a photo and bring it along on the next walk, or include it when you report a problem.
Watch list
Uninvited guests
These species out-compete the native trees above and choke out the wildflower layer below. Learning to spot them is one of the simplest ways to help the woods.
Found a patch spreading fast, or an infestation that looks new? Let us know through the report a problem form below — it helps the PTO prioritize work days.
Trailhead notice
See something that needs attention?
Downed trees, dumping, erosion, or anything that feels unsafe — the school office is the fastest way to get it looked at.
- A fallen tree or large branch blocking a path
- Dumping, litter, or debris in the woods
- Vandalism or damage to trails and signage
- Erosion, washouts, or standing water on a path
- A fast-spreading patch of an invasive species
- Any safety concern near the school grounds
Or call the school office: (734) 994-1934
Get involved
Join the volunteer network
The Eberwhite Woods PTO committee is rebuilding its volunteer network this year. No experience needed — just a willingness to show up.
- Student discovery walks. Help lead small groups of kids through the woods, pointing out habitats along the way.
- Invasive removal days. Seasonal work days pulling garlic mustard, buckthorn, and other invasive species.
- Stewardship & monitoring. Keep an eye on trail conditions, wildlife, and any new problem spots.
- Advocacy & outreach. Write to neighbors and district trustees to keep the woods' future part of the conversation.
Sign up
Tell us how you'd like to help and we'll follow up with the next work day, walk, or meeting.
Join the volunteer list