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Do you benefit from our 100+ classes and programs? Please consider a donation in support of program development!
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CLASSES AND PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Programs at Grass River Natural Area are Green, Special Events that are off-site are Blue, Holidays are Brown.
To register for a program, scroll down to the listing below the calendar.
To register for a program, scroll down to the listing below the calendar.
PROGRAM REGISTRATION
 Searching for bugs in Finch Creek!
GRNA has a wide selection of classes and events for all ages. All programs listed below are open to the general public. Some programs require preregistration.
Register for the classes below by clicking on the "Add to Cart" button, or call (231) 533-8314 to register over the phone. Cancellations: Participants that cancel before 24-hours from the start of a program may receive a full refund, unless otherwise noted. Cancellations within 24 hours receive no refund. Programs run rain or shine, but may be cancelled by GRNA in inclement weather. If canceled by GRNA, it is posted online and registered participants are notified & receive a full refund. Questions? Contact: James Dake, james@grassriver.org, or the office at 231-533-8314 |
Subscribe to our email list to get updates and reminders about classes.
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JANUARY 2020
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Lantern-lit Snowshoe
Friday January 17, 2020 - 7:00pm (1.5hrs), $5 per person Lantern light reflecting off of freshly fallen snow is a great way to enjoy the forest in January. Join a naturalist on a guided snowshoe through Grass River's forests at night to look for signs and sounds of nocturnal animals. Snowshoes are available for rent for an additional $5 rental fee during the program, or bring your own. Meet at the Grass River Center. Bring a flashlight or headlamp. |
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Winter Pastels Workshop
Saturday January 18, 2020 - 1:00pm (2 hrs) - $10 per person Join us for this interactive art workshop where we learn how to express the subtle colors of snow, shadows and light with pastels. All materials and instruction supplied. |
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Happy Hour for a Cause at Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen
Thursday January 23, 2020 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Join us for an evening as we celebrate Grass River Natural Area at Pearl's! Funds raised will go to the educational programs that GRNA holds. Your $10 goes to Grass River while you enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and happy hour prices. Enjoy great food and drink while mingling with staff, volunteers, and lovers of GRNA. Location: Pearl's, 617 Ames, Elk Rapids, MI 49629
Thursday January 23, 2020 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Join us for an evening as we celebrate Grass River Natural Area at Pearl's! Funds raised will go to the educational programs that GRNA holds. Your $10 goes to Grass River while you enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and happy hour prices. Enjoy great food and drink while mingling with staff, volunteers, and lovers of GRNA. Location: Pearl's, 617 Ames, Elk Rapids, MI 49629
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Winter Owl Prowl
Friday January 24, 2020 - 7:00pm (1.5 hrs) $5 per person The Great Horned and Barred Owls are beginning to nest at Grass River Natural Area. Do you know which owl you're hearing when they "hoot" at night? Learn about their calls and habits and take a evening hike in the woods. We recommend snowshoes if the snow is deep. Snowshoes may be rented at the Grass River Center for the program for an additional $5. Meet at the Grass River Center. Please pre-register. |
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Winter Tracking
Saturday January 25, 2020 - 10:00am (2 hrs), $5 per person The natural area is a haven for everything from bobcats to deer to snowshoe hare in the winter months. Join a naturalist as we learn the art of tracking wildlife in winter when snow makes the perfect medium for preserving animal tracks and trails. This workshop will start indoors, where we'll learn the track shapes and gait patterns of a variety of northern Michigan wildlife species, then we'll head outside on the trails to search for tracks and practice our new skills. Dress for the weather. |
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Winter Homeschool Program
Friday, January 31 - 10:00am to 12:00pm, $7 student/adults free Join us for a morning of our woodland and wetland curriculum designed for homeschool families. We will have class rotations focusing on winter ecology - looking at how animals survive winter. Students may be divided into groups by age. You must preregister for this program. |
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FEBRUARY
Soup Cookoff at Townline Ciderworks
Saturday February 1, 2020 - 4pm to 7pm
Location: Townline Ciderworks, 11595 US-31 S., Williamsburg, MI - just south of Elk Rapids
Join us on the Saturday before Groundhog Day & the Super Bowl for a celebration benefiting Grass River! There will be a snowshoe/hike/walk in the orchard from 4pm to 5pm, with snowshoes available from Grass River. Soup Cookoff begins at 5pm. Bring a crockpot of soup to enter and get a free pint of cider. Soup sampling will be by donation with proceeds going to GRNA. Winner of soup cookoff will receive a Grass River care package and some goodies from Townline. Live music by GRNA's education director, James Dake, from 5-7pm.
Saturday February 1, 2020 - 4pm to 7pm
Location: Townline Ciderworks, 11595 US-31 S., Williamsburg, MI - just south of Elk Rapids
Join us on the Saturday before Groundhog Day & the Super Bowl for a celebration benefiting Grass River! There will be a snowshoe/hike/walk in the orchard from 4pm to 5pm, with snowshoes available from Grass River. Soup Cookoff begins at 5pm. Bring a crockpot of soup to enter and get a free pint of cider. Soup sampling will be by donation with proceeds going to GRNA. Winner of soup cookoff will receive a Grass River care package and some goodies from Townline. Live music by GRNA's education director, James Dake, from 5-7pm.
Moonlit Snowshoe
Friday February 7, 2020 - 7:00pm (1.5hrs), $5 per person
Moonlight reflecting off of freshly fallen snow is a great way to enjoy the forest in February. Join a naturalist on a guided snowshoe through Grass River's forests at night to look for signs and sounds of nocturnal animals. Snowshoes are available for rent for an additional $5 rental fee during the program, or bring your own. Meet at the Grass River Center. Bring a flashlight or headlamp in case it is cloudy.
Friday February 7, 2020 - 7:00pm (1.5hrs), $5 per person
Moonlight reflecting off of freshly fallen snow is a great way to enjoy the forest in February. Join a naturalist on a guided snowshoe through Grass River's forests at night to look for signs and sounds of nocturnal animals. Snowshoes are available for rent for an additional $5 rental fee during the program, or bring your own. Meet at the Grass River Center. Bring a flashlight or headlamp in case it is cloudy.
Skulls and Scat
Saturday February 8, 1:00pm (1.5 hrs) $5 per person
Winter is a great time to looks for signs of mammals in the snow. This class will first look at mammal skulls and teeth indoors to understand the natural history of some Grass River mammals. Then we will head out on a hike to search for these animals' scat and learn basic ID techniques. You are welcome to bring snowshoes if the snow is deep. Grass River also has snowshoes to rent during the program for an additional $5.
Saturday February 8, 1:00pm (1.5 hrs) $5 per person
Winter is a great time to looks for signs of mammals in the snow. This class will first look at mammal skulls and teeth indoors to understand the natural history of some Grass River mammals. Then we will head out on a hike to search for these animals' scat and learn basic ID techniques. You are welcome to bring snowshoes if the snow is deep. Grass River also has snowshoes to rent during the program for an additional $5.
Valentine’s Night Ski
Friday, February 14, 2020 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm, come any time, $5 per person
Bring your valentine for an evening ski lit by luminaries on GRNA’s groomed ski trails. We will have a warm campfire at the Center pavilion and the heated building will be open. Inside we will have hot cocoa, tea, and chocolates, along with a bonfire out on the trail during the ski. Ski with your valentine out to the bonfire and then loop back to the Center to warm up with some cocoa. Bring a headlamp and skis. Come any time during the 2-hour ski.
Friday, February 14, 2020 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm, come any time, $5 per person
Bring your valentine for an evening ski lit by luminaries on GRNA’s groomed ski trails. We will have a warm campfire at the Center pavilion and the heated building will be open. Inside we will have hot cocoa, tea, and chocolates, along with a bonfire out on the trail during the ski. Ski with your valentine out to the bonfire and then loop back to the Center to warm up with some cocoa. Bring a headlamp and skis. Come any time during the 2-hour ski.
Signs of River Otter
Saturday February 22, 2020 - 1:00pm (1.5 hrs), $5 per person
Do you know what to look for when trying to spot signs of river otter? Learn some sure signs that otter have been nearby and take a walk on our beautiful trails to see if you can spot signs for yourself. Along the way we will look for signs of other elusive mammals like bobcat, coyote, or mink.
Saturday February 22, 2020 - 1:00pm (1.5 hrs), $5 per person
Do you know what to look for when trying to spot signs of river otter? Learn some sure signs that otter have been nearby and take a walk on our beautiful trails to see if you can spot signs for yourself. Along the way we will look for signs of other elusive mammals like bobcat, coyote, or mink.
Winter Homeschool Program
Friday, February 28 - 10:00am to 12:00pm, $7 student/adults free
Join us for a morning of our woodland and wetland curriculum designed for homeschool families. We will have class rotations focusing on the scat, tracks, and skulls of animals. Students may be divided into groups by age. You must preregister for this program.
Friday, February 28 - 10:00am to 12:00pm, $7 student/adults free
Join us for a morning of our woodland and wetland curriculum designed for homeschool families. We will have class rotations focusing on the scat, tracks, and skulls of animals. Students may be divided into groups by age. You must preregister for this program.
MARCH
Tapping Maple Trees
Saturday March 14, 2020 - 11:00am (1.5 hrs), $5 per person
Discover the ceremonial art of maple tapping by learning both traditional and modern methods. This program will cover all of the equipment you need as well as how to do it at home. Get a chance to tap a tree, see maple syrup being made, and taste the finished sweetness!
Saturday March 14, 2020 - 11:00am (1.5 hrs), $5 per person
Discover the ceremonial art of maple tapping by learning both traditional and modern methods. This program will cover all of the equipment you need as well as how to do it at home. Get a chance to tap a tree, see maple syrup being made, and taste the finished sweetness!
Maple Celebration
Saturday March 21, 2020 - 11:00am (2 hrs), Free Family Event, Pancakes by donation
Celebrate the beginning of spring with pancakes, real maple syrup, maple sugaring hikes and demonstrations, and spring arts & crafts. Fun for all ages. A pancake brunch/lunch will be served inside the Grass River Center with real maple syrup and pancakes while demonstrations on how to make maple syrup will happen outdoors. Donations are accepted for the pancake brunch.
Saturday March 21, 2020 - 11:00am (2 hrs), Free Family Event, Pancakes by donation
Celebrate the beginning of spring with pancakes, real maple syrup, maple sugaring hikes and demonstrations, and spring arts & crafts. Fun for all ages. A pancake brunch/lunch will be served inside the Grass River Center with real maple syrup and pancakes while demonstrations on how to make maple syrup will happen outdoors. Donations are accepted for the pancake brunch.
March Homeschool Program
Friday, March 27 - 10:00am to 12:00pm, $7 student/adults free
Join us for a morning of our woodland and wetland curriculum designed for homeschool families. We will have class rotations focusing the science of making maple syrup. Students may be divided into groups by age. You must preregister for this program.
Friday, March 27 - 10:00am to 12:00pm, $7 student/adults free
Join us for a morning of our woodland and wetland curriculum designed for homeschool families. We will have class rotations focusing the science of making maple syrup. Students may be divided into groups by age. You must preregister for this program.
Early Spring Birds
Saturday March 28, 2020 - 9:00am (2hrs), $5 per person
Who are the first birds to show up in the spring? Join us for the first walk in our birding series as we look and listen for these early arrivals. Binoculars are available to borrow, or bring your own. If there is still snow bring snowshoes, or rent some for an additional $5 in the Grass River Center.
Saturday March 28, 2020 - 9:00am (2hrs), $5 per person
Who are the first birds to show up in the spring? Join us for the first walk in our birding series as we look and listen for these early arrivals. Binoculars are available to borrow, or bring your own. If there is still snow bring snowshoes, or rent some for an additional $5 in the Grass River Center.
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Spring Camp
Tuesday March 31 - Friday April 3 - 9:00am to 3:00pm Ages 7 to 12, $150 per camper, limited space, must pre-register! Grass River Natural Area will be hosting a 2020 spring day camp for children 7 to 12 years old. Your children can spend their spring break tapping maple trees for sap, tracking animals along the boardwalks, building a campfire, or enjoying the view along Grass River - perfect for the child that loves the outdoors in spring. |
APRIL
Spring Bird Walk and eBird
Saturday April 25, 2020—9:00am (2 hrs), $5 per person
Join us for a spring bird walk to learn to ID birds by sight and sound and how to log observations online using the eBird webpage or app. Bring binoculars, or borrow some from the Grass River Center.
Saturday April 25, 2020—9:00am (2 hrs), $5 per person
Join us for a spring bird walk to learn to ID birds by sight and sound and how to log observations online using the eBird webpage or app. Bring binoculars, or borrow some from the Grass River Center.
