Grass River Natural Area, Inc.
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YOURS TO EXPLORE. YOURS TO PROTECT.

Grass River Natural Area is a 1,492 acre nature preserve surrounding the Grass River, located in the heart of Antrim County. Along with the beautiful views of Grass River, we also offer seven miles of well-maintained trails including 1.5 miles of boardwalk floating above northern fen and cedar wetlands. With all of these natural features, Grass River Natural Area offers visitors an outdoor, living laboratory to explore and learn. The Grass River Center is open year-round, offering a comfortable learning environment for public programming, school field trips, camps, and more.

OUR MISSION

To manage the Grass River Natural Area, conserve and protect its watershed, and provide opportunities that increase knowledge, appreciation and community-wide stewardship of the natural environment. 
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INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT

In nature, diversity is the primary marker of a healthy ecosystem. Diversity is the main predictor of landscape resilience in the face of disturbances like natural disasters, climactic swings, and nonnative species invasions. Just as we do in our natural spaces, Grass River Natural Area, Inc. (GRNA) celebrates and encourages diversity in our community.
 
We stand with our environmental peers around the country and condemn racism in any form. There is much work to be done to overcome the intolerance and biases that affect so many in our country. GRNA strives to cultivate a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible. We believe everyone benefits when people have equitable access to natural places and spaces for education, recreation, and renewal.
 
GRNA joins this collective voice in calling for change. We want all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, economic status, religion, or sexual orientation to feel welcome and safe at GRNA. There is certainly more that needs to be done and that begins with difficult conversations, education, and a willingness to listen and understand. Our work to be part of the solution has begun through learning, reflection, and discussions with our board and staff and a review of organizational messaging and policies. We commit to this work as individuals, as a team, and as an organization. Grass River Natural Area is a space where all are welcome and valued equally.


​EXPLORE
​

Boardwalks, hiking, education center, kayaking, skiing, snow-shoeing, birding...  
​Maps Here
Downed trees on trail?
​Call 533-8576 or 533-8314
or report them here

HOURS 
​
Hiking Trails:
​open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk

Grass River Education Center:
6500 Alden Highway, Bellaire, MI
Spring, Summer, Fall:
Open 7 days a week May-October!
10:00am to 4:00pm
​
November
-April: Saturdays & Sundays
​10:00am to 4:00pm

​
REGISTER
FOR PROGRAMS
 HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS
See full calendar & register for an event HERE.
Register for a program by clicking HERE.

ONLINE T-SHIRT ORDERS

PUBLICATIONS

Grass River T-shirt
You can now order a variety of styles, colors, and sizes of Grass River shirts and hoodies with our Otter Logo.

ORDER NOW

Cover of Field Guide of NW Michigan
GRNA is publisher of regional nature guides and books. Our NEW EXPANDED 2nd Edition of the "Field Guide to Northwest Michigan" is out now! Check out our publications ​HERE. 

WHAT DOES THE RIVER OTTER TELL US?


​
River otters are an amphibious mammal that are known for their curious nature, intelligence, and playfulness. Did you know they can act as environmental indicators (also called indicator species)? Contaminants that occur in the environment can concentrate in the otter over time in a process known as biomagnification. For this reason, river otters do not tolerate polluted waters and are typically found utilizing only high quality rivers and wetlands. Therefore the presence or absence of river otters in an ecosystem can serve as an indicator of habitat quality. The video below recorded a river otter family using the protected streams at Grass River - a sign of the health of the natural area and of your efforts to protect it!
Field trip to Grass River
Kids dipping nets into Finch Creek
dragonfly
salamander
Picture

Grass River Natural Area
6500 Alden Hwy, P.O. Box 231
Bellaire, MI 49615
Office: 231.533.8314
Grass River Center: 231.533.8576

Copyright 2018 Grass River Natural Area
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