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2011 GRNA Class Schedule
Reservations and advanced payment are required for all classes and pontoon trips (unless noted otherwise). No refunds without a 24‐hour cancellation notification. Call the administrative office at 231‐533‐8314 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please note the GRNA office is not open on weekends or holidays to receive calls. To reach a naturalist at the cabin, call 231‐533‐8576. Please sign in at the interpretive cabin 15 minutes prior to class starting time.
CLASS FEES
Donor
Adult $7
Child $5
Family $15
Non-donor
Adult $10
Child $5
Family $20
PONTOON RIDE FEES
Donor
Adult $8
Child $5
Non‐donor
Adult $15
Child $7
ART ON THURSDAYS
The Eye of the Beholder, 1 - Beginning Photography
Thursday June 30, 2011 - 10:00 am
Adults and Kids 12+
Local artist and photographer, Lisa Lirones will help you master that new digital camera. Learn how to manipulate your camera and get to know important settings. Find your ISO, aperture and white balance, and learn how to compose your image with "the Rule of Thirds." Practice outside and explore new ideas. Come master a new way of seeing through your own creative eye!
FREE GUIDED HIKES ALL SUMMER LONG
Adventure Hikes (Every Thursday, June 23 - August 25 at 2:00 pm)
Thursday June 30, 2011 - 2:00 pm
All Ages
Summer hikes at Grass River are like a box of chocolates...you never now what you are going to get. But, you can expect FUN! Each week the naturalist will pick the trail that's "where it's at" nature-wise. Plus every hike will feature a special hands-on activity designed to engage your senses and take you one step closer to nature.
FREE GUIDED HIKES ALL SUMMER LONG
Toddler Trail Time (Every Friday in July at 10:00 am)
Friday July 1, 2011 - 10:00 am
Parents and Preschoolers
Parents, bring your youngster out to Grass River for an experience designed with the preschooler in mind. Parent and child will wander down the trail with a naturalist and participate in an interactive nature story time. Class will last approximately one hour.
FREE GUIDED HIKES ALL SUMMER LONG
Sunday Stroll (Every Sunday, May 29 - September 4 at 1:00 pm)
Sunday July 3, 2011 - 1:00 pm
All Ages
Take a leisurely walk along one of Grass River's many trails with a naturalist as your guide. Explore the diverse natural habitats that are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species.
NATURE NUTS (kids 4-6) and EXPLORERS (kids 7-10)
Marsh Madness
Tuesday July 5, 2011 - 10:00 am
Kids
Wanted: Marsh explorers! Must be curious about what's lurking in the tall grass, living in the muck, and prowling around the rivers edge. If you love to find clues and solve nature's mysteries, this class is for you. Wear old clothes and shoes you can get wet.
FREE GUIDED HIKES ALL SUMMER LONG
Wildflower Walks (Every Tuesday, May 17 - August 30 at 10:00 am)
Tuesday July 5, 2011 - 10:00 am
Adults and Teens
Love wildflowers and plants? Want to know more about them? Join GRNA docent Julie Hurd each week to identify the exquisite flora at Grass River. No experience necessary, just bring your love of nature. Master Gardener points can be earned.
ART ON THURSDAYS
Make It and Take It
Thursday July 7, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
Build a helicopter, make a bug home, create a petrogragh stone, construct a wonder whistle, put together a pocket sun dial, or make a filter salad. When you've finished constructing some or all of these things you can take them and have even more fun playing with them at home!
Hike on a Bike
Saturday July 9, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
Can you ride a bike? Do you like to hike? How about an hour-long recreational ride along less traveled trails at Grass River? We will stop now and then to rest and check out the flora and fauna. All you need is your bike and a spirit of adventure. Meet in the parking lot.
NATURE NUTS (kids 4-6) and EXPLORERS (kids 7-10)
Family Tree
Tuesday July 12, 2011 - 10:00 am
Kids
Do trees breathe, get food, move, and do other things that we do? Yes, but in very different ways. We'll explore how trees are like us, and how they differ. And we'll discover how important the family of trees is to us.
ART ON THURSDAYS
The Poetry of Painting
Thursday July 14, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
It's said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Create a poem inspired by nature, add your impressions in watercolor and you'll have a picture that is worth more than a thousand words. Just like Grass River, let it flow.
MICHIGAN MUSHROOM FORAYS (Every 3rd Saturday, May - Sept)
A Wild Foods Hunt at Grass River with gourmet delectables
Saturday July 16, 2011 - 9:30 am
All Ages
Grass River Natural Area will present a series of Mushroom Forays to help develop your mushroom ID skills. All hunts will be at Grass River Natural Area from 9:30 to noon. Each foray will begin with an ID skills "brush up." Meet at the interpretive cabin. $5.00 per class or $20 for the series.
NATURE NUTS (kids 4-6) and EXPLORERS (kids 7-10)
Cold Blooded Wonders
Tuesday July 19, 2011 - 10:00 am
Kids
Take a look at a turtle. Check out a frog. Search for a slithering snake. Enter the amazing world of the cold blooded critters.
ART ON THURSDAYS
Papermaking
Thursday July 21, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
Using natural materials and paper pulp, Mary Walker will help you make decorative papers that can be used for notepaper, cards or artwork. Please bring a blender. Other supplies provided.
ART ON THURSDAYS
The Eye of the Beholder, 2 - Advanced Photography
Thursday July 21, 2011 - 1:30 pm
Adults and Kids 12+
Local artist and photographer, Lisa Lirones will take you to the next level of digital photography. Review the basic terms from the Beginning Class. Learn how to set up your camera using the correct menu functions for a particular situation. Learn about depth of field and exposure and how they can enhance your image! Lastly, go outside and discover what "macro" can do for your close ups. Come join us in becoming a more creative photographer.
Loon Lookout Pontoon Trip
Friday July 22, 2011 - 6:00 pm | Friday July , 2011 - 7:30 pm
Families
Join Naturalist "Arloon" Westhoven for a cruise along Grass River to learn about the loons. With luck you'll spot one of these magical creatures and other beautiful waterfowl. Bring a light jacket, sunscreen, binoculars and camera. Also bring lifejackets for children under 12.
Loon Lookout Pontoon Trip
Saturday July 23, 2011 - 10:00 am | Saturday July , 2011 - 11:30 am
Families
Join Naturalist "Arloon" Westhoven for a cruise along Grass River to learn about the loons. With luck you'll spot one of these magical creatures and other beautiful waterfowl. Bring a light jacket, sunscreen, binoculars and camera. Also bring lifejackets for children under 12.
NATURE NUTS (kids 4-6) and EXPLORERS (kids 7-10)
Toolboxes with Wings
Tuesday July 26, 2011 - 10:00 am
Kids
Feathers aren't the only "tool" that allow birds to survive in their habitat. Discover how beaks, feet, song and plumage work for these flying wonders. Open the toolbox to see if YOU have what it takes to be a bird.
ART ON THURSDAYS
Petoskey Stone Art
Thursday July 28, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
Linda Dinger of Dinger's Rock Shop fame will share her knowledge of the beautiful Petoskey stone. She"ll teach you how to hand polish a stone and give you ideas to create jewelry and more. Petoskey stones will be provided.
Flintknapping - From Stone To Tools Using The Ancient Ways
Saturday July 30, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
Jerry Weinrich will demonstrate flint knapping, the craft of shaping arrowheads, spearheads, knives, and drills from rock. The traditional tools of the aboriginal people will be used to shape Norway chert, commonly called flint, into items necessary to the life of the original dwellers in our area.
NATURE NUTS (kids 4-6) and EXPLORERS (kids 7-10)
Locomotion
Tuesday August 2, 2011 - 10:00 am
Kids
Every living thing seems to want to get from here to there. In this Grass River adventure we will explore how some of the creatures move about. The evidence may surprise you!
ART ON THURSDAYS
Basket Making
Thursday August 4, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
Local basket maker, Nancy Vanderwall, will be sharing her artistry again with a hands-on basket making class. Nancy has created a new design using daylily leaves and reeds for you to make.
WET AND WILD
Pond Adventure
Friday August 5, 2011 - 10:00 am
Kids Third Grade+
Give frog catching a try! Scoop up a pollywog or two. Be on the look out for dragonfly larvae. Experience the surprise of dipping your net into a patch of pond weeds and coming up with a load of MACRO INVERTIBRATES! It doesn't get any better than this. Come wearing old clothes and shoes you can get wet.
Constellation Cruise 1
Saturday August 6, 2011 - 9:00 pm
Families
Cruise down Grass River at sunset and watch the stars come out. The night sky above and the river below will combine to make this a magical evening. Observe and hear stories about the summer constellations. We will also be on the look out for nocturnal creatures that call Grass River home. Limited to 8 persons, register early. Meet at DeWitt Marina.
Purple Loosestrife Roundup
Wednesday August 10, 2011 - 9:00 am
Volunteers
Volunteers - Help us eradicate this beautiful, but invasive flowering plant. We'll paddle along the shores of Grass River and stomp around the swamp on this seek and destroy mission. If you can provide your own transportation (canoe or kayak), that's great. But definitely wear long pants and old sneakers to walk on the floating sedge mats. It's actually a fun time and you'll be making a huge contribution toward protecting the natural area from this prolific invader. No experience necessary! Call 231-533-8314 if you plan to attend.
ART ON THURSDAYS
Wearable Art
Thursday August 11, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
Take this class and everyone's going to be asking, "Where did you get that great t-shirt?" We will explore the medium of paint and printing using natural ingredients found at Grass River Natural Area to make t-shirts to die for. Please bring your own solid color t-shirt to decorate.
WET AND WILD
River Run
Friday August 12, 2011 - 10:00 am
Kids Third Grade+
Take a boat ride down Grass River and then into Clam Lake. Along the way we will test these waters to find out how healthy they are for the critters that live there. We will check for dissolved oxygen, nitrates phosphates, temperature, pH, and clarity. We know the Loons and some fish can swim there, but how about people? Bring a lifejacket.
(Not) In the Drink (Please!) - Disposing of Hazardous Waste (free)
Tuesday August 16, 2011 - 4:00 pm
Adults
Where should we take hazardous waste and left-over pharmaceuticals? Where does the stuff go after we drop it off? How is Antrim County's year-old recycling program doing? We'll hear from those in the know. We'll also get updates from the organizations that are working to keep our lakes and streams healthy. A wine and cheese reception will follow the program. Co-sponsored by GRNA, Three Lakes Association, Torch Lake Protection Alliance and Friends of Clam Lake in partnership with Antrim Conservation District and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Please register in advance for this free event by calling 231-533-8314 or emailing info@grassriver.org. Location: TBD
ART ON THURSDAYS
Nature Origami
Thursday August 18, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
Try your hand at the beautiful art of Origami. Misaeng Liggett, who learned her craft in Japan, will teach you how to make birds, animals, fish, trees, flowers and more. Class size limited to 12.
Grass River Reads (free)
Friday August 19, 2011 - 12:00 pm
All Ages
One good way to develop an understanding and appreciation of nature is to read and talk about inspiring nature books. Join Grass River naturalists for the 1st annual book discussion and brown bag lunch for adults and children. For the adults, the selection is The Living Great Lakes by a local author, Jerry Dennis. Written in 2003, it won that year's Outdoor Writers Association of America best book award. For the kids, the following titles have been selected: If You Were My Baby by Fran Hodgkins (ages 2-4); What Do You Do With A Tail Like This? By Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (ages 5-8). All books are available at the Grass River Cabin, local libraries and bookstores. Children and adults will participate in separate discussions led by naturalist. Bring a brown bag lunch. Please register in advance for this free event by calling 231-533-8314 or emailing info@grassriver.org.
MICHIGAN MUSHROOM FORAYS (Every 3rd Saturday, May - Sept)
Boletes
Saturday August 20, 2011 - 9:30 am
All Ages
Grass River Natural Area will present a series of Mushroom Forays to help develop your mushroom ID skills. All hunts will be at Grass River Natural Area from 9:30 to noon. Each foray will begin with an ID skills "brush up." Meet at the interpretive cabin. $5.00 per class or $20 for the series.
Constellation Cruise 2
Saturday August 20, 2011 - 9:00 pm
Families
Cruise down Grass River at sunset and watch the stars come out. The night sky above and the river below will combine to make this a magical evening. Observe and hear stories about the summer constellations. We will also be on the look out for nocturnal creatures that call Grass River home. Limited to 8 persons, register early. Meet at DeWitt Marina.
ART ON THURSDAYS
Colors from the Forest: An Introduction to Mushroom Dyes
Thursday August 25, 2011 - 10:00 am
Adults
If you crave new experiences in natural dyeing, look beyond your flower garden and nearby fields to the fungi kingdom. Seek out those drab little mushrooms hiding in dark places or those strange growths on dead and living trees. The dyes that you can obtain from the fungi kingdom are an exciting addition to a dyer's palette. Bellaire artist, Julie Hurd, will introduce you to the unique and vibrant colors from mushrooms. We will identify some of the species of fungi that can be collected locally for use in dyeing yarns. The procedures used to extract mushroom dyes will be outlined, and instructions and samples will be available for all who register for this class.
To Stay or Not to Stay, That is the Question
Friday August 26, 2011 - 10:00 am
Families
Garter snakes, ladybugs, loons, sugar maples, little brown bats, bobcats, spring peepers, snapping turtles and the great horned owl. What do you think these organisms do in response to the onset of winter weather? The answers to this question are stranger than even our solutions to the cold. Join us for the chilling truth about these and other Michigan plants and animals.
MICHIGAN MUSHROOM FORAYS (Every 3rd Saturday, May - Sept)
Other Fall Mushrooms
Saturday September 17, 2011 - 9:30 am
All Ages
Grass River Natural Area will present a series of Mushroom Forays to help develop your mushroom ID skills. All hunts will be at Grass River Natural Area from 9:30 to noon. Each foray will begin with an ID skills "brush up." Meet at the interpretive cabin. $5.00 per class or $20 for the series.
Grass River Natural Area 6500 Alden Hwy P.O. Box 231 Bellaire, MI 49615
Office: 231.533.8314 Cabin: 231.533.8576