CLASSES AND PROGRAMS CALENDAR
Scroll down to see full class listings
Programs at Grass River Natural Area are Green, Special Events that are off-site are Blue, Holidays are Brown.
PROGRAM REGISTRATION
GRNA has a wide selection of classes and events for all ages. All programs listed below are open to the general public. Many programs require preregistration.
Register for the classes below by clicking on the "Add to Cart" button.
Cancellations: Participants that cancel before 24-hours from the start of a program may receive a full refund, unless otherwise noted. Cancellations within 24 hours receive no refund. Programs run rain or shine, but may be cancelled by GRNA in inclement weather. If canceled by GRNA, a notification is posted online and registered participants are notified & receive a full refund.
Questions, or want a private program? Contact: James Dake, james@grassriver.org
Register for the classes below by clicking on the "Add to Cart" button.
Cancellations: Participants that cancel before 24-hours from the start of a program may receive a full refund, unless otherwise noted. Cancellations within 24 hours receive no refund. Programs run rain or shine, but may be cancelled by GRNA in inclement weather. If canceled by GRNA, a notification is posted online and registered participants are notified & receive a full refund.
Questions, or want a private program? Contact: James Dake, james@grassriver.org
MARCH
MapleFest
Saturday March 16 - 12:00 noon to 3:00pm
Join us as we boil sap to syrup on the evaporator at the Pavilion at the Grass River Center. Stop by any time and see the process in action of making maple syrup. Ask staff questions and hike on the trail to see where we tap trees, hang buckets and lines, and collect the sap. The Center will be open indoors from 10am to 4pm. A limited supply of Grass River Maple Syrup may be available for sale.
Saturday March 16 - 12:00 noon to 3:00pm
Join us as we boil sap to syrup on the evaporator at the Pavilion at the Grass River Center. Stop by any time and see the process in action of making maple syrup. Ask staff questions and hike on the trail to see where we tap trees, hang buckets and lines, and collect the sap. The Center will be open indoors from 10am to 4pm. A limited supply of Grass River Maple Syrup may be available for sale.
Spring Into Pastels Art Class
Saturday, March 23, 2024 - 1:00 pm (2hrs), $10 per person, limited space, please pre-register Spring weather has been hopping in and out all month. March came in like a lamb how will it go out? Join us for this art class when it's officially Spring. We'll use pastels and other media to illustrate the signs of the season. To prepare for the class, take and bring pictures of some spring observations. |
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Spring Day Camp
Tuesday March 26 - Thursday March 28 9:00am to 3:00pm, Ages 7 to 12, $150 per camper, limited space, must pre-register! Grass River Natural Area will be hosting a 2024 spring day camp for children 7 to 12 years old. Your children can spend their spring break tapping maple trees for sap, tracking animals along the boardwalks, building a campfire, or enjoying the view along Grass River - perfect for the child that loves the outdoors in spring. |
Early Spring Bird Walk
Saturday March 30, 2024 - 9:00am (2 hrs), $5 per person, must pre-register Who are the first birds to show up in the spring? Join us for the first walk in our birding series at the start of spring as we look and listen for these early arrivals. Binoculars are available to borrow, or bring your own. If there is still snow bring snowshoes, or rent some for an additional $5 in the Grass River Center. Limited space. Please pre-register. (This program was moved from March 23rd) |
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APRIL
Nature Trivia Night
Thursday, April 18, 2024 - 6:00 pm (2 hrs), $5 per person at Short's Elk Rapids
Join us for Nature Trivia Night at the Short's Pull Barn in Elk Rapids! Get your team of 2-6 players together and get ready to stretch your brain with 5 rounds of clever, family-friendly trivia. Don't worry if you're not a nature expert; questions will draw from other areas of knowledge - like movies and music - as well. $5 per player, which supports GRNA. Players will pay upon arriving at Short's.
Thursday, April 18, 2024 - 6:00 pm (2 hrs), $5 per person at Short's Elk Rapids
Join us for Nature Trivia Night at the Short's Pull Barn in Elk Rapids! Get your team of 2-6 players together and get ready to stretch your brain with 5 rounds of clever, family-friendly trivia. Don't worry if you're not a nature expert; questions will draw from other areas of knowledge - like movies and music - as well. $5 per player, which supports GRNA. Players will pay upon arriving at Short's.
Earth Week Bird Walk
Saturday April 20, 2024—9:00am (2 hrs), $5 per person, please pre-register Join us in celebrating Earth Day with a spring bird walk to learn to ID birds by sight and sound and how to log observations online using the eBird webpage or app. Bring binoculars, or borrow some from the Grass River Center. Limited space. Please pre-register |
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Earth Day at Ethanology
Sunday April 21, 2:00pm to 5:00pm
at Ethanology, 127 Ames St., Elk Rapids
Grass River Natural Area and Ethanology Distillation have teamed up for an Earth Day preservation event. Grass River Natural Area will be on-site offering conifer, hardwood, or shrub saplings with each donation to the non-profit. We all play a role in preserving our ecosystem, and it starts by planting more trees, and making responsible environmentally focused choices. What better way to kick-off earth day, and spring gardening, with the planting of a tree or shrub?
Swing by anytime from 2:00-5:00pm on Sunday, April 21. Grass River will have trees and shrubs on-site to take home during the event.
Sunday April 21, 2:00pm to 5:00pm
at Ethanology, 127 Ames St., Elk Rapids
Grass River Natural Area and Ethanology Distillation have teamed up for an Earth Day preservation event. Grass River Natural Area will be on-site offering conifer, hardwood, or shrub saplings with each donation to the non-profit. We all play a role in preserving our ecosystem, and it starts by planting more trees, and making responsible environmentally focused choices. What better way to kick-off earth day, and spring gardening, with the planting of a tree or shrub?
Swing by anytime from 2:00-5:00pm on Sunday, April 21. Grass River will have trees and shrubs on-site to take home during the event.
The Big Nature Sit on Earth Day
Monday, April 22nd , 6:00am – 9:00am, $10 per person, please preregister Join the GRNA staff as we head out before dawn and experience the Earth waking up! We’ll meet in the main parking lot and hike out to the Grass River dock. Each of us will find a space on the boardwalk to sit quietly & observe the sights and sounds of nature coming to life. Bring a portable, quiet camp chair, a flashlight/headlamp, binoculars (or borrow ours), quiet snacks, and warm clothes. Registration is $10/person and is limited to 10 people, so register early. |
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The Wonders of Wildflowers at Charlevoix Library
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 - 6:00pm (1 hour), Free
The wildflowers of our region have amazing adaptations for their survival. Join us at Charlevoix Library (220 West Clinton St, Charlevoix, MI 49720) for a colorful and warm photography presentation looking at over a dozen of our local species and how their beauty is only outmatched by their wondrous feats, like their abilities to melt snow, change from male to female, shoot seeds long distances, cure ailments, or trick insects into helping in their survival. Discover methods of seed dispersal, pollination, medicinal and edible properties, and reproduction of our beloved wildflowers that rival exotic plants around the world.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 - 6:00pm (1 hour), Free
The wildflowers of our region have amazing adaptations for their survival. Join us at Charlevoix Library (220 West Clinton St, Charlevoix, MI 49720) for a colorful and warm photography presentation looking at over a dozen of our local species and how their beauty is only outmatched by their wondrous feats, like their abilities to melt snow, change from male to female, shoot seeds long distances, cure ailments, or trick insects into helping in their survival. Discover methods of seed dispersal, pollination, medicinal and edible properties, and reproduction of our beloved wildflowers that rival exotic plants around the world.
NMC Amphibians of Northern Michigan
Tuesday April 30, 2024 - 1:00pm (2 hrs) @ NMC & Tuesday May 7, 2024 at GRNA, Register through NMC Extended Education
Explore Michigan’s wonderful variety of unique frogs and salamanders in this classroom and field course. In the classroom, examine the natural history and recent research on Michigan’s amphibians before hitting the trail in search of some of these elusive but spectacular creatures. Learn field ID and handling techniques as we search forest, field, swamp, and stream. Participate in a citizen science project by contributing our findings to the Michigan Herp Atlas and learn to identify frogs by their calls. Register through NMC Extended Education
Tuesday April 30, 2024 - 1:00pm (2 hrs) @ NMC & Tuesday May 7, 2024 at GRNA, Register through NMC Extended Education
Explore Michigan’s wonderful variety of unique frogs and salamanders in this classroom and field course. In the classroom, examine the natural history and recent research on Michigan’s amphibians before hitting the trail in search of some of these elusive but spectacular creatures. Learn field ID and handling techniques as we search forest, field, swamp, and stream. Participate in a citizen science project by contributing our findings to the Michigan Herp Atlas and learn to identify frogs by their calls. Register through NMC Extended Education
MAY
Spring Fling at Dockside
Tuesday, May 7th, 5-9 PM
There is no easier way to support Grass River Natural Area than enjoying food and drinks on the beautiful shores of Torch Lake. Join us at The Dockside south of Bellaire on Tuesday, May 7th from 5 pm to 9 pm where 50% of all food and drink proceeds benefit GRNA. Enjoy great food with wonderful people in a relaxing environment all while supporting a great organization.
Tuesday, May 7th, 5-9 PM
There is no easier way to support Grass River Natural Area than enjoying food and drinks on the beautiful shores of Torch Lake. Join us at The Dockside south of Bellaire on Tuesday, May 7th from 5 pm to 9 pm where 50% of all food and drink proceeds benefit GRNA. Enjoy great food with wonderful people in a relaxing environment all while supporting a great organization.
Spring Stream Monitoring
Saturday May 11, 2024 - 8:00am
Location: Grass River Center and sampling on Shanty Creek
As part of our Adaptive Management Plan, Grass River Natural Area conducts stream monitoring surveys twice a year. The spring surveys will take place across April and May. We rotate amongst the three creeks each year, and this year is Shanty Creek! This is a really cool way to better understand our watershed, and the biodiversity within it.
This opportunity does require you to attend a training session. If you'd like to register for this volunteer opportunity, email the Conservation Director at sean@grassriver.org.
Saturday May 11, 2024 - 8:00am
Location: Grass River Center and sampling on Shanty Creek
As part of our Adaptive Management Plan, Grass River Natural Area conducts stream monitoring surveys twice a year. The spring surveys will take place across April and May. We rotate amongst the three creeks each year, and this year is Shanty Creek! This is a really cool way to better understand our watershed, and the biodiversity within it.
This opportunity does require you to attend a training session. If you'd like to register for this volunteer opportunity, email the Conservation Director at sean@grassriver.org.
Spring Stewardship Day
Saturday, May 18 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
As spring rains are falling and flower buds begin emerging, it is time to join in the spring cleaning at GRNA! Trail grooming, garden weeding, and window shining are a few of the many tasks for freshening up our grounds and Center in preparation for summer. No experience is necessary, just a pair of gloves, a "spring" in your step, and an open spirit. Pre-registration is encouraged - email Brian at stewardship@grassriver.org
Saturday, May 18 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
As spring rains are falling and flower buds begin emerging, it is time to join in the spring cleaning at GRNA! Trail grooming, garden weeding, and window shining are a few of the many tasks for freshening up our grounds and Center in preparation for summer. No experience is necessary, just a pair of gloves, a "spring" in your step, and an open spirit. Pre-registration is encouraged - email Brian at stewardship@grassriver.org
Birding by Ear
Saturday May 25, 2024 - 8:00am (2 hrs), $5 per person, please pre-register The birds are singing but may be difficult to see this time of year as the trees leaf out. Learn to ID birds by their songs and go for a birding walk. Grass River is a birding hotspot and a great place to learn and appreciate your birds. Binoculars are available to borrow at the Grass River Center before the walk. |
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JUNE
Wild Orchids and Other Rare Plants
Friday June 7, 2024 - 10:00am (2 hrs), $15 per person, must pre-register Join Education Director James Dake in an exclusive presentation and off-trail expedition to see rare orchids and other amazing plants, like carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews, in lesser known areas of GRNA. Limited space. Must be able to hike on uneven and wet/muddy terrain for the outdoor portion. Wearing muck boots is highly recommended, as the places we go will be very wet. This program meets at the Grass River Center. |
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If you are interested in a private program or tour, contact james@grassriver.org
Do you benefit from our 100+ classes and programs? Please consider a donation in support of program development!
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