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. Many 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, a notification is posted online and registered participants are notified & receive a full refund.
Questions, book a private program, or problems registering? Contact: James Dake at 231-492-8793 or [email protected] - we can always register you by phone or email as well.
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, a notification is posted online and registered participants are notified & receive a full refund.
Questions, book a private program, or problems registering? Contact: James Dake at 231-492-8793 or [email protected] - we can always register you by phone or email as well.
AUGUST
Weekly Wildflower Walk
Every Tuesday, 10:30am (1.5 hrs), Free to attend, donations gratefully accepted
Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers and learn to identify their unique beauty. As we wander, keep an ear out for the delightful melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. Join us every Tuesday at 10:30am to see new flowers in bloom. Donations are gratefully accepted. Free to attend for individuals. Organized groups should book a separate program.
Every Tuesday, 10:30am (1.5 hrs), Free to attend, donations gratefully accepted
Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers and learn to identify their unique beauty. As we wander, keep an ear out for the delightful melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. Join us every Tuesday at 10:30am to see new flowers in bloom. Donations are gratefully accepted. Free to attend for individuals. Organized groups should book a separate program.
Family Playgroup
Thursday, August 7, 2026 - 10:30am (1.5 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with NMCAA and the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Thursday, August 7, 2026 - 10:30am (1.5 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with NMCAA and the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Weekly Wildflower Walk
Every Tuesday, 10:30am (1.5 hrs), Free to attend, donations gratefully accepted
Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers and learn to identify their unique beauty. As we wander, keep an ear out for the delightful melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. Join us every Tuesday at 10:30am to see new flowers in bloom. Donations are gratefully accepted. Free to attend for individuals. Organized groups should book a separate program.
Every Tuesday, 10:30am (1.5 hrs), Free to attend, donations gratefully accepted
Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers and learn to identify their unique beauty. As we wander, keep an ear out for the delightful melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. Join us every Tuesday at 10:30am to see new flowers in bloom. Donations are gratefully accepted. Free to attend for individuals. Organized groups should book a separate program.
NMC Wild Michigan Orchids
Thursday, August 13, 2026 - 1:00pm (2 hrs), Register through NMC Extended Education
Orchids are fascinating, beautiful, and rare plants – and northern Michigan has some of the best. Join James Dake of Grass River Natural Area as we learn about these important environmental indicators in an exclusive off-trail expedition to see rare orchids and other amazing plants that grow with them, like carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews, in some of the lesser known areas of Grass River. Limited space. Must be able to walk on some uneven and very wet terrain for the hike. Wearing muck boots is recommended. Register through NMC Extended Ed at: Wild Michigan Orchids & Other Rare Plants - NMC Extended Education & Training
Thursday, August 13, 2026 - 1:00pm (2 hrs), Register through NMC Extended Education
Orchids are fascinating, beautiful, and rare plants – and northern Michigan has some of the best. Join James Dake of Grass River Natural Area as we learn about these important environmental indicators in an exclusive off-trail expedition to see rare orchids and other amazing plants that grow with them, like carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews, in some of the lesser known areas of Grass River. Limited space. Must be able to walk on some uneven and very wet terrain for the hike. Wearing muck boots is recommended. Register through NMC Extended Ed at: Wild Michigan Orchids & Other Rare Plants - NMC Extended Education & Training
Weekly Wildflower Walk
Every Tuesday, 10:30am (1.5 hrs), Free to attend, donations gratefully accepted
Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers and learn to identify their unique beauty. As we wander, keep an ear out for the delightful melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. Join us every Tuesday at 10:30am to see new flowers in bloom. Donations are gratefully accepted. Free to attend for individuals. Organized groups should book a separate program.
Every Tuesday, 10:30am (1.5 hrs), Free to attend, donations gratefully accepted
Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers and learn to identify their unique beauty. As we wander, keep an ear out for the delightful melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. Join us every Tuesday at 10:30am to see new flowers in bloom. Donations are gratefully accepted. Free to attend for individuals. Organized groups should book a separate program.
Family Playgroup
Thursday, August 20, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Thursday, August 20, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
The Writing Room - a creative writing workshop with author Dirk Ruff
Saturday, August 22, 2026
10:00 AM -3:00 PM
at Grass River Natural Area
6500 Alden Highway, Bellaire, MI
Join author Dirk Ruff for an immersive afternoon writing workshop. The focus will be on short stories, flash fiction, non-fiction, essays, and other creative works. Bring something you've been working on, be it an idea outline, a started piece, or a rough draft. Be ready to share and collaborate on the creative process with others, and to receive feedback on your work. By the end of the workshop, you should have direction, if not a completed piece.
Register through Crosshatch Here: https://www.crosshatch.org/events/writing-room
Saturday, August 22, 2026
10:00 AM -3:00 PM
at Grass River Natural Area
6500 Alden Highway, Bellaire, MI
Join author Dirk Ruff for an immersive afternoon writing workshop. The focus will be on short stories, flash fiction, non-fiction, essays, and other creative works. Bring something you've been working on, be it an idea outline, a started piece, or a rough draft. Be ready to share and collaborate on the creative process with others, and to receive feedback on your work. By the end of the workshop, you should have direction, if not a completed piece.
Register through Crosshatch Here: https://www.crosshatch.org/events/writing-room
Writing Workshop with the Antrim Writers Series
Thursday August 27, 2026 - 1:00pm (2 hrs), $10 per person, Register through Crosshatch
Join us for a fiction writing workshop with Chad V. Broughman at Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire.
Chad V. Broughman is the author of The Fall of Bellwether, hailed by the American Writing Awards as “a triumph of literary fiction, deserving of a place among the modern classics” and “First among Equals.” In addition to earning top ten status in ScreenCraft’s Cinematic Novel Competition and being shortlisted by First Novel Prize, Bellwether was a finalist for the Page Turner Award and the International Book Award, winner of the Hawthorne Prize, and declared Best Historical Fiction Novel of 2024. Most recently, Bellwether was named the 2025 Silver Award Winner of Reader Views Classic-Historical Fiction competition.
Broughman was awarded two chapbook contracts for his highly acclaimed short story collections––The Forsaken and Slighted––both published by Etchings Press. His short fiction can be found in journals worldwide––Carrier Pigeon, East Coast Literary Review, River Poets Journal, Burningword, Pulp Fiction, Sky Island Journal, and From Whispers to Roars, to name a few––and in anthologies such as Write Michigan Short Story Anthology, On Loss, and Scribes Valley. Other credits include the Rusty Scythe Prize Book Award and the Adobe Cottage Writers Retreat honor in New Mexico, in addition to Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominations. He holds an MFA from Spalding University and served as co-editor for the fiction/poetry blog "Cafe Aphra," based out of the United Kingdom.
Broughman teaches English and Creative Writing at the secondary and post-secondary levels but is most proud of his roles as a husband and devoted father to two rambunctious young sons. When not crafting fiction, Broughman can be found pulling up bass (or not) from one of northern Michigan’s inland lakes or being walked by their golden retriever, Biscuit.
Register here: Fiction Writing Workshop with Chad V. Broughman — Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology
Thursday August 27, 2026 - 1:00pm (2 hrs), $10 per person, Register through Crosshatch
Join us for a fiction writing workshop with Chad V. Broughman at Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire.
Chad V. Broughman is the author of The Fall of Bellwether, hailed by the American Writing Awards as “a triumph of literary fiction, deserving of a place among the modern classics” and “First among Equals.” In addition to earning top ten status in ScreenCraft’s Cinematic Novel Competition and being shortlisted by First Novel Prize, Bellwether was a finalist for the Page Turner Award and the International Book Award, winner of the Hawthorne Prize, and declared Best Historical Fiction Novel of 2024. Most recently, Bellwether was named the 2025 Silver Award Winner of Reader Views Classic-Historical Fiction competition.
Broughman was awarded two chapbook contracts for his highly acclaimed short story collections––The Forsaken and Slighted––both published by Etchings Press. His short fiction can be found in journals worldwide––Carrier Pigeon, East Coast Literary Review, River Poets Journal, Burningword, Pulp Fiction, Sky Island Journal, and From Whispers to Roars, to name a few––and in anthologies such as Write Michigan Short Story Anthology, On Loss, and Scribes Valley. Other credits include the Rusty Scythe Prize Book Award and the Adobe Cottage Writers Retreat honor in New Mexico, in addition to Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominations. He holds an MFA from Spalding University and served as co-editor for the fiction/poetry blog "Cafe Aphra," based out of the United Kingdom.
Broughman teaches English and Creative Writing at the secondary and post-secondary levels but is most proud of his roles as a husband and devoted father to two rambunctious young sons. When not crafting fiction, Broughman can be found pulling up bass (or not) from one of northern Michigan’s inland lakes or being walked by their golden retriever, Biscuit.
Register here: Fiction Writing Workshop with Chad V. Broughman — Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology
SEPTEMBER
Family Playgroup
Thursday, September 3, 2026 - 10:30am (1.5 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with NMCAA and the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Thursday, September 3, 2026 - 10:30am (1.5 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with NMCAA and the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
NMC Fall Kayak River Tour
Friday, September 11, 2026 - 9:30am (2.5 hrs), Register through NMC Extended Education
There is no better way to experience a Northern Michigan river than by paddling its calm waters and enjoying its unique wildlife! On this guided tour, students will explore Grass River by kayak and find out about Grass River Natural Area’s conservation efforts, wetland ecology, and Michigan wildlife. Registration coming soon!
Friday, September 11, 2026 - 9:30am (2.5 hrs), Register through NMC Extended Education
There is no better way to experience a Northern Michigan river than by paddling its calm waters and enjoying its unique wildlife! On this guided tour, students will explore Grass River by kayak and find out about Grass River Natural Area’s conservation efforts, wetland ecology, and Michigan wildlife. Registration coming soon!
Family Playgroup
Thursday, September 17, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Thursday, September 17, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Paddle Antrim Festival
September 19-20, 2026
The Paddle Antrim Festival celebrates the amazing waterways and communities of Northern Michigan. The Festival, always the second weekend after Labor Day, includes a two-day paddle event through the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Paddle one day or two days and choose the distance that is best for your paddling ability and desired distance/time on the water.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION HERE: Festival Details - Paddle Antrim - Antrim County Michigan
September 19-20, 2026
The Paddle Antrim Festival celebrates the amazing waterways and communities of Northern Michigan. The Festival, always the second weekend after Labor Day, includes a two-day paddle event through the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Paddle one day or two days and choose the distance that is best for your paddling ability and desired distance/time on the water.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION HERE: Festival Details - Paddle Antrim - Antrim County Michigan
Fall Stream Monitoring
September 26, 2026, 9:00a.m.-11:00a.m. - volunteer opportunity
Twice a year Grass River collects data through stream monitoring. This year, teams will be collecting habitat data and macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects) at several sites along Cold Creek. After collection we will return to the Grass River Center to sort through the samples. Pre-registration for this event is required. Pre-register by RSVP’ing to Emma at [email protected].
September 26, 2026, 9:00a.m.-11:00a.m. - volunteer opportunity
Twice a year Grass River collects data through stream monitoring. This year, teams will be collecting habitat data and macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects) at several sites along Cold Creek. After collection we will return to the Grass River Center to sort through the samples. Pre-registration for this event is required. Pre-register by RSVP’ing to Emma at [email protected].
If you are interested in a private program or tour, contact [email protected]
