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Grass River Natural Area History

A place locked in time

For thousands of years, the Grass River has meandered between Lake Bellaire and Clam Lake, linking the two on the now well-known Antrim County Chain of Lakes. A peaceful spot that is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, an equally diverse network of wildlife, living amid floating sedges and marshy bogs for as far as the eye can see.

In the 1960's, that serene setting was about to change when land developers began filling the wetlands in preparation for building sites. The plan came to the attention of a handful of concerned county residents who feared that destruction of the natural habitat and ecosystem would harm water quality, wildlife, flora and fauna. Their grassroots efforts and vision in 1969 and the early 70's resulted in a plan that created one of Michigan's premier nature preserves.

Hundreds of individuals, businesses and foundations have contributed to the success of the project over the past 41 years. The Three Lakes Association and The Nature Conservancy were early backers of the "Grass River Wildlife Project" along with the county of Antrim providing crucial support. Since then, the State of Michigan, government agencies, foundations, businesses and private individuals by the hundreds have generously supported the initiative making it a truly collaborative community undertaking.

The result speaks for itself: a place locked in time, immune to the surrounding pressures and a safe haven for the natural world to thrive. Grass River Natural Area belongs to its stakeholders – county residents and visitors – who continue to recognize the value in protecting this irreplaceable natural resource and teaching future generations of their important role in sustaining it.

Major contributors and volunteers for the project attended a ceremony in November 1977 at the Antrim County Courthouse to officially transfer the land from The Nature Conservancy to Antrim County. Pictured are (top row from left), Margaret Campbell, GRNA secretary, Larry Hughes, and Warren Studley whose vision initiated the project. Bottom row are Fred Bechtold, Wes Baker, Everett Ash, James G. Young, James Callison and Jerry Keller.

The stone marker at Grass River Natural Area commemorates the many citizens who helped to form this special place:

• Three Lakes Association
• Antrim County Board of Commissioners
• U.S. Soil Conservation Service
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources
• The Nature Conservancy
• Countless Volunteers