INTERESTING FACTS
Ownership, Management & Partnership
In 1969 Grass River Natural Area was founded by a group of citizens concerned about the development of sensitive wetland habitat. Grass River Natural Area, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in 1979. We are under contract with Antrim County to manage the Grass River Natural Area for land protection, stewardship, conservation, and environmental education. The partnership between GRNA, Inc. and Antrim County was established in 1979 and is an important component of Grass River Natural Area’s unique conservation story.
Antrim County owns most of the 1502 acres that make up Grass River Natural Area, and they also own the Grass River Center – our Education Building finished in 2011. The funds raised for the Center were a result of a successful Capital Campaign coordinated and managed by Grass River Natural Area, Inc. in partnership with Antrim County.
Antrim County supports GRNA, Inc. with an annual appropriation that makes up about 11% of our operating budget. The rest of our operating funds are raised by GRNA, Inc. through fund development efforts in order to manage the 1502 acres, 7 miles of trails, and the Grass River Center.
In 1969 Grass River Natural Area was founded by a group of citizens concerned about the development of sensitive wetland habitat. Grass River Natural Area, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in 1979. We are under contract with Antrim County to manage the Grass River Natural Area for land protection, stewardship, conservation, and environmental education. The partnership between GRNA, Inc. and Antrim County was established in 1979 and is an important component of Grass River Natural Area’s unique conservation story.
Antrim County owns most of the 1502 acres that make up Grass River Natural Area, and they also own the Grass River Center – our Education Building finished in 2011. The funds raised for the Center were a result of a successful Capital Campaign coordinated and managed by Grass River Natural Area, Inc. in partnership with Antrim County.
Antrim County supports GRNA, Inc. with an annual appropriation that makes up about 11% of our operating budget. The rest of our operating funds are raised by GRNA, Inc. through fund development efforts in order to manage the 1502 acres, 7 miles of trails, and the Grass River Center.
Antrim County Building
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Grass River Center
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Grass River Natural Area:
- Is a nature preserve located on Antrim County's Chain of Lakes in northwest lower Michigan
- Began in 1969 as a local grassroots effort to save the area's wetlands from development
- Now comprises 1,502 acres, bordering all 2.5 miles of the Grass River and over 6 miles of shoreline
- Is owned by Antrim County and managed by Grass River Natural Area, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit
- Has an inventory of 400 species of plants, 49 species of mammals and 147 bird species
- Features 7 miles of trails, open to the public from dawn 'til dusk year-round
- Offers a perception pathway for visitors with special needs that is wheelchair and stroller accessible
Grass River Natural Area, Inc.
Mission: "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.”
Mission: "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.”
- Is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation
- Manages the 1,502 acre Grass River Natural Area preserve, an ecologically significant natural area
- Maintains over 7 miles of trails and boardwalks
- Is supported through donations, grant and foundation giving, and county funding with an annual budget of approximately $250,000
- Has about 100 volunteers, 2 full-time employees, and 8 part-time staff
- Offers more than 80 summer classes and events
- Provides a wetlands curriculum program to over 1,000 area school children annually
- Presents an environmental recreation and educational destination for public use and enjoyment
