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.
DETOUR NOTICE -
We are OPEN! If coming from Alden, you can bypass the 'road closed' signs and Alden Highway is open all the way to our entrance. If coming from Bellaire or Mancelona, you can get around the wash out by taking Finch Creek Rd, Bebb/Helena, and then McPherson. Safe travels! |
COVID-19 PROTOCOLThe Grass River Education Center is open Monday - Sunday from 10 am - 4 pm. Staff have worked hard to create new procedures that ensure the safety of our visitors; chief among these are requesting unvaccinated visitors to wear masks and for all to practice social distancing while inside the Center. And, of course, our trails are open every day from dawn to dusk.
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OUR MISSION
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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.
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.
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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 Open Thursday-Sunday for November & December. Winter: Saturdays & Sundays 10:00am to 4:00pm REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS HERE or call 231-533-8314 (M-F) 231-533-8576 (Sat-Sun) |
UPCOMING EVENTS
Register for a class by clicking HERE.
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ONLINE T-SHIRT ORDERS |
PUBLICATIONS |
WHAT DOES THE RIVER OTTER TELL US?
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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! |
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