YOURS TO EXPLORE. YOURS TO PROTECT.
Grass River Natural Area is a 1,502 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
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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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NOTICE: Boardwalk Closure to Dock
Please note that the boardwalk to the dock will be closed from the Center and Cabin through intersections 16 and 17 to the dock. You can still reach the river by taking the Sedge Meadow Boardwalk route via the Cabin and intersections 15 and 18. Once completed, we will have fully accessible boardwalks and trails from the Center to the dock! Click the map to see detail of the closure and detour.
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 Dogs and pets: Pets are only allowed on-leash on Rail Trail and Algonquin Trail. Parking is available at the Rail Trial and by the green barn at the Algonquin trailhead at the entrance. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on the boardwalk trails. Read more about this guideline 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 231-533-8576 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.
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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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