CLASSES AND PROGRAMS CALENDAR
Scroll down to see full class listings
Programs at Grass River Natural Area are Green, Special Events that are off-site are Blue, Holidays are Brown.
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. 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, or want a private program? Contact: James Dake, james@grassriver.org, or call 231-350-9461 |
Subscribe to our email list to get updates and reminders about classes.
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MAY
Blooms & Birds: Wildflower Walk
Every Tuesday May - August, 10:00am (2 hrs), donations appreciated
Go for a relaxing stroll on the trails with GRNA docents Julie Hurd and Phil Jarvi each week to find and identify the beautiful and unique wildflowers at Grass River. Along the way we will listen and look for the birds that call Grass River home. Every Tuesday at 10am.
Every Tuesday May - August, 10:00am (2 hrs), donations appreciated
Go for a relaxing stroll on the trails with GRNA docents Julie Hurd and Phil Jarvi each week to find and identify the beautiful and unique wildflowers at Grass River. Along the way we will listen and look for the birds that call Grass River home. Every Tuesday at 10am.
Mushrooms of Spring (NMC Face to Face class at Grass River)
Wednesday May 12, 2021, 10:00am (2 hrs), $39 per participant
Join us for a naturalist-led fungus foray in search of morels and other interesting fungi. Learn about the famous and delicious morels that are a joy to find during this yearly spring ritual, and tips and tricks to identify the other mushrooms of Michigan. This class begins outdoors at Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire, and we may travel to some other nearby locations. This course qualifies toward the Naturalist Certificate. At Grass River Education Center (6500 Alden Highway, Bellaire). Register through NMC here: https://www.nmc.edu/resources/extended-education/find-a-class/adult-classes/index.html
Wednesday May 12, 2021, 10:00am (2 hrs), $39 per participant
Join us for a naturalist-led fungus foray in search of morels and other interesting fungi. Learn about the famous and delicious morels that are a joy to find during this yearly spring ritual, and tips and tricks to identify the other mushrooms of Michigan. This class begins outdoors at Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire, and we may travel to some other nearby locations. This course qualifies toward the Naturalist Certificate. At Grass River Education Center (6500 Alden Highway, Bellaire). Register through NMC here: https://www.nmc.edu/resources/extended-education/find-a-class/adult-classes/index.html
Spring Stewardship Day
Saturday, May 22 - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, In person at the Grass River Center
Care to give our trails a good trimming, spruce up our gardens, or shine up some windows? Come one, come all to help us freshen up our Center and grounds in preparation for the busy summer and fall seasons! No experience is necessary, just a pair of work gloves and an open spirit. Pre-registration is encouraged. Email stewardship@grassriver.org to register. Work will be outside, but masks must be worn if you enter the Grass River Center.
Saturday, May 22 - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, In person at the Grass River Center
Care to give our trails a good trimming, spruce up our gardens, or shine up some windows? Come one, come all to help us freshen up our Center and grounds in preparation for the busy summer and fall seasons! No experience is necessary, just a pair of work gloves and an open spirit. Pre-registration is encouraged. Email stewardship@grassriver.org to register. Work will be outside, but masks must be worn if you enter the Grass River Center.
Volunteer Open House
Saturday, May 22 - 10:00am to 1:00pm, In person at the Grass River Center
If you've never volunteered with GRNA before or want to start volunteering on more projects, this event is for you! We'll be set up on the lawn outside the Grass River Center (weather permitting) with different stations representing our different types of volunteers, including stewardship, education, citizen science, events, and administration. Come anytime during the open house to learn about opportunities as diverse as maintaining the native plant gardens around the Center, assisting naturalists during school field trips, or joining one of our Board committees.
Saturday, May 22 - 10:00am to 1:00pm, In person at the Grass River Center
If you've never volunteered with GRNA before or want to start volunteering on more projects, this event is for you! We'll be set up on the lawn outside the Grass River Center (weather permitting) with different stations representing our different types of volunteers, including stewardship, education, citizen science, events, and administration. Come anytime during the open house to learn about opportunities as diverse as maintaining the native plant gardens around the Center, assisting naturalists during school field trips, or joining one of our Board committees.
Butterfly Monitor Training
Saturday, May 22, 11 am - 1 pm, Free online program hosted by Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center staff will host a virtual butterfly monitoring training on Saturday, May 22, 11am-1pm. This free program is open to past and new participants throughout the state of Michigan. Donations are welcome and will help support MiBN’s annual operating costs.
Register for online training here: https://naturecenter.doubleknot.com/event/butterfly-monitor-training/2806390
*Grass River Natural Area is a regional hub for the Michigan Butterfly Network. An outdoor butterfly "field day" will be hosted by Grass River in June for those interested that have attended the first online training. Another online training is available April 25.
Saturday, May 22, 11 am - 1 pm, Free online program hosted by Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center staff will host a virtual butterfly monitoring training on Saturday, May 22, 11am-1pm. This free program is open to past and new participants throughout the state of Michigan. Donations are welcome and will help support MiBN’s annual operating costs.
Register for online training here: https://naturecenter.doubleknot.com/event/butterfly-monitor-training/2806390
*Grass River Natural Area is a regional hub for the Michigan Butterfly Network. An outdoor butterfly "field day" will be hosted by Grass River in June for those interested that have attended the first online training. Another online training is available April 25.
JUNE
Blooms & Birds: Wildflower Walk
Every Tuesday May - August, 10:00am (2 hrs), donations appreciated
Go for a relaxing stroll on the trails with GRNA docents Julie Hurd and Phil Jarvi each week to find and identify the beautiful and unique wildflowers at Grass River. Along the way we will listen and look for the birds that call Grass River home. Every Tuesday at 10am.
Every Tuesday May - August, 10:00am (2 hrs), donations appreciated
Go for a relaxing stroll on the trails with GRNA docents Julie Hurd and Phil Jarvi each week to find and identify the beautiful and unique wildflowers at Grass River. Along the way we will listen and look for the birds that call Grass River home. Every Tuesday at 10am.
Grass River Community Paddle
Thursday, June 3, 2021 - 6:30 pm (2 hrs), Free community event
Grab your paddleboard, kayak or paddle craft of choice and join Paddle Antrim and GRNA for an extra special community paddle. This slow paddle is scheduled for 2 hours. We will begin at Willow Day Park at 6:30 pm to check in and we will launch promptly as a group at 6:45 pm.
Paddle Antrim encourage all ages and types of paddle crafts to join us on the water for these slow paddles. This paddle will last approximately two hours on the water, is free, and no pre-registration is required. All paddlers must bring their own craft/boat, paddle, and pfd (life jacket). As with all Paddle Antrim events, pfds must be properly worn at all times. All ages are welcome but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult out on the water.
DIRECTIONS TO WILLOW DAY PARK: From Bellaire, drive south on M-88 just over 2 miles to Brake Rd. Turn right on Brake Rd and drive about one mile to White Birch Lane. Turn right on White Birch Lane (it does say private road but please continue) and Willow Day Park is almost immediately on the left.
Paddle Antrim is taking precautions to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and will follow all CDC/State/local guidelines. We require masks to be worn at all times on land and for paddlers to maintain six feet distance from others on land and while paddling. Individuals who have been in contact with a person who had COVID-19, has a fever over 100.4 or has felt unwell in the last two days should not attend.
Thursday, June 3, 2021 - 6:30 pm (2 hrs), Free community event
Grab your paddleboard, kayak or paddle craft of choice and join Paddle Antrim and GRNA for an extra special community paddle. This slow paddle is scheduled for 2 hours. We will begin at Willow Day Park at 6:30 pm to check in and we will launch promptly as a group at 6:45 pm.
Paddle Antrim encourage all ages and types of paddle crafts to join us on the water for these slow paddles. This paddle will last approximately two hours on the water, is free, and no pre-registration is required. All paddlers must bring their own craft/boat, paddle, and pfd (life jacket). As with all Paddle Antrim events, pfds must be properly worn at all times. All ages are welcome but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult out on the water.
DIRECTIONS TO WILLOW DAY PARK: From Bellaire, drive south on M-88 just over 2 miles to Brake Rd. Turn right on Brake Rd and drive about one mile to White Birch Lane. Turn right on White Birch Lane (it does say private road but please continue) and Willow Day Park is almost immediately on the left.
Paddle Antrim is taking precautions to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and will follow all CDC/State/local guidelines. We require masks to be worn at all times on land and for paddlers to maintain six feet distance from others on land and while paddling. Individuals who have been in contact with a person who had COVID-19, has a fever over 100.4 or has felt unwell in the last two days should not attend.
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Grass River Native Plant Sale
Friday June 4, 2021 - 3:00pm to 6:00pm Native plants are incredibly important to native wildlife. Join us for this one-day sale event. You can get plants in two ways: 1. Pre-order garden kits with 38 plugs of a variety of species meant for a 4'x 10' garden. Then, pick them up the day of the event, June 4. Orders need to be placed by May 26. 2. Show up the day of the event (June 4) to purchase single species quarts. They are first-come first-served until stock runs out, so arrive early if you want your pick of all the species available! All plants are locally grown and native to Michigan. Sales from this event help to support Grass River's important conservation work, and you help local wildlife by planting native plants in your yard! |
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Wild Orchids and Other Rare Plants
Friday June 11, 2021 - 10:00am (2 hrs), $10 per person, must pre-register Join Education Director James Dake in an exclusive presentation and off-trail expedition to see rare orchids and other amazing plants, like carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews, in lesser known areas of GRNA. Adults only. Limited space. Must be able to hike on uneven and wet/muddy terrain for the outdoor portion. Wearing muck boots is highly recommended, as the places we go will be very wet. |
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Volunteer Training Day
Wednesday, June 16 - 3:00pm to 6:00pm, In person at the Grass River Center
This event is designed to provide our volunteers - whether you're new or seasoned - with new or improved skills to help with the valuable work that you do at GRNA. The event will be a series of breakout sessions covering topics like invasive species ID, front desk/docent training, and much more, so you will be able to choose sessions that are applicable to your volunteer role. You must pre-register for this event. To register, or if you have an idea for a specific topic you'd like covered, contact Emily Burke at emily@grassriver.org
Wednesday, June 16 - 3:00pm to 6:00pm, In person at the Grass River Center
This event is designed to provide our volunteers - whether you're new or seasoned - with new or improved skills to help with the valuable work that you do at GRNA. The event will be a series of breakout sessions covering topics like invasive species ID, front desk/docent training, and much more, so you will be able to choose sessions that are applicable to your volunteer role. You must pre-register for this event. To register, or if you have an idea for a specific topic you'd like covered, contact Emily Burke at emily@grassriver.org
Sedges of Northern Michigan (NMC Face to Face class at Grass River)
Friday, June 18, 10:00 a.m. (2hrs), $39 per participant
Sedges are wonderful plants that are often overlooked because they can be difficult to identify. But in some wetland environments they are some of the most numerous and common plants! When you take the time to slow down and look at them closely, you find they are quite attractive and simple to identify. This field class will walk you through a variety of wetland communities as we learn some of the most common sedges you are likely to encounter in Northern Michigan. By the end of the class you will walk away with an identification guide and a new-found appreciation for these unique plants. This course qualifies toward the Naturalist Certificate and takes place outdoors at Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire. Register through NMC here: https://www.nmc.edu/resources/extended-education/find-a-class/adult-classes/index.html
Friday, June 18, 10:00 a.m. (2hrs), $39 per participant
Sedges are wonderful plants that are often overlooked because they can be difficult to identify. But in some wetland environments they are some of the most numerous and common plants! When you take the time to slow down and look at them closely, you find they are quite attractive and simple to identify. This field class will walk you through a variety of wetland communities as we learn some of the most common sedges you are likely to encounter in Northern Michigan. By the end of the class you will walk away with an identification guide and a new-found appreciation for these unique plants. This course qualifies toward the Naturalist Certificate and takes place outdoors at Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire. Register through NMC here: https://www.nmc.edu/resources/extended-education/find-a-class/adult-classes/index.html
If you are interested in a private program for family groups, contact james@grassriver.org
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