For 55 years, Grass River Natural Area has been championed by good people. Exceptional people.
People like you…
Unfortunately, I wasn't here 50 years ago. I have only stories passed down from elders or written accounts from newspaper clippings to help me understand the kind of courage and integrity it took to fight for Grass River Natural Area. You know, the kind of heart and feistiness and sheer will it takes to convince hundreds of people to support a conservation movement that would benefit wildlife and wild children for years to come.
Here's what I DO know...
Neighbors saddled up to kitchen tables at the wee hours of the morning and talked for hours, coffee in hand. They debated and then came back again and saddled up to the same table the next morning. And, the next. Teachers shamelessly bribed schoolchildren to stay after class to help Grass River volunteers seal thousands of fundraising envelopes. Youth groups were recruited to replace board after broken board along the wetland trail, swatting away fierce horseflies and monstrous mosquitos. Forward-thinking government officials took a chance on a community partnership and created a new model for land conservation.
The beauty of it is, these are people like you, who worked diligently as a community for something that was going to benefit others in the future. In fact, I found the following excerpt in my files that sums it up quite well. Every now and again I pull out Grass River's newspaper clippings for inspiration. This excerpt reminded me of YOU. Our donors, our participators, our ambassadors, our future. This is from an Antrim County News article written on November 3, 1977 titled Heart and Soul by Paul Novoselick.
"Cynicism grows with exposure to people who profess one way of life and lead another...To be a journalist is to be a cynic, daily watching the feigned sincerity of numerous double-dealing masqueraders. It becomes both depressing and confusing, leaving a person both disenchanted and frustrated. Luckily, some exceptions to the rule come along, shedding a wee bit of hope upon the dismal scene. A few special persons display bona fide sincerity and honesty and it is to them that this column is directed. They have heart. They have soul. They need not rob another person of theirs. The special group of persons I am referring to have an unusually sincere sense of value and worth. They feel that what is important is not for themselves but for everyone. Their goal is not to help people profit monetarily, but emotionally. They work for the future, not the present. They're simply members of a community who are interested in preserving Grass River's natural beauty for the future. Not for investment purposes, not for landfills, not for riverfront real estate sales, not for oil profiteering, not for capital gain. Not for themselves."
When I read this, I kept repeating "not for themselves" in my mind, and it really struck a chord. I hope each of you reflects on those words and recognizes the role YOU play in Grass River Natural Area's present and future. This organization is held up by your integrity and your heart, by your sense of value and worth. Our board of directors, myself and my co-workers reflect on your generosity daily...
Cheers to a beautiful history and a fruitful future!
- Haley Breniser, Executive Director 2013-2018
People like you…
Unfortunately, I wasn't here 50 years ago. I have only stories passed down from elders or written accounts from newspaper clippings to help me understand the kind of courage and integrity it took to fight for Grass River Natural Area. You know, the kind of heart and feistiness and sheer will it takes to convince hundreds of people to support a conservation movement that would benefit wildlife and wild children for years to come.
Here's what I DO know...
Neighbors saddled up to kitchen tables at the wee hours of the morning and talked for hours, coffee in hand. They debated and then came back again and saddled up to the same table the next morning. And, the next. Teachers shamelessly bribed schoolchildren to stay after class to help Grass River volunteers seal thousands of fundraising envelopes. Youth groups were recruited to replace board after broken board along the wetland trail, swatting away fierce horseflies and monstrous mosquitos. Forward-thinking government officials took a chance on a community partnership and created a new model for land conservation.
The beauty of it is, these are people like you, who worked diligently as a community for something that was going to benefit others in the future. In fact, I found the following excerpt in my files that sums it up quite well. Every now and again I pull out Grass River's newspaper clippings for inspiration. This excerpt reminded me of YOU. Our donors, our participators, our ambassadors, our future. This is from an Antrim County News article written on November 3, 1977 titled Heart and Soul by Paul Novoselick.
"Cynicism grows with exposure to people who profess one way of life and lead another...To be a journalist is to be a cynic, daily watching the feigned sincerity of numerous double-dealing masqueraders. It becomes both depressing and confusing, leaving a person both disenchanted and frustrated. Luckily, some exceptions to the rule come along, shedding a wee bit of hope upon the dismal scene. A few special persons display bona fide sincerity and honesty and it is to them that this column is directed. They have heart. They have soul. They need not rob another person of theirs. The special group of persons I am referring to have an unusually sincere sense of value and worth. They feel that what is important is not for themselves but for everyone. Their goal is not to help people profit monetarily, but emotionally. They work for the future, not the present. They're simply members of a community who are interested in preserving Grass River's natural beauty for the future. Not for investment purposes, not for landfills, not for riverfront real estate sales, not for oil profiteering, not for capital gain. Not for themselves."
When I read this, I kept repeating "not for themselves" in my mind, and it really struck a chord. I hope each of you reflects on those words and recognizes the role YOU play in Grass River Natural Area's present and future. This organization is held up by your integrity and your heart, by your sense of value and worth. Our board of directors, myself and my co-workers reflect on your generosity daily...
Cheers to a beautiful history and a fruitful future!
- Haley Breniser, Executive Director 2013-2018
A PLACE LOCKED IN TIME
For thousands of years, the Grass River has meandered between Lake Bellaire and Clam Lake, linking the two on the now well-known Antrim County Chain of Lakes. A peaceful spot that is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, an equally diverse network of wildlife, living amid floating sedges and marshy bogs for as far as the eye can see.
In the 1960's, that serene setting was about to change when land developers began filling the wetlands in preparation for building sites. The plan came to the attention of a handful of concerned county residents who feared that destruction of the natural habitat and ecosystem would harm water quality, wildlife, flora and fauna. Their grassroots efforts and vision in 1969 and the early 70's resulted in a plan that created one of Michigan's premier nature preserves.
In the 1960's, that serene setting was about to change when land developers began filling the wetlands in preparation for building sites. The plan came to the attention of a handful of concerned county residents who feared that destruction of the natural habitat and ecosystem would harm water quality, wildlife, flora and fauna. Their grassroots efforts and vision in 1969 and the early 70's resulted in a plan that created one of Michigan's premier nature preserves.
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Hundreds of individuals, businesses and foundations have contributed to the success of the project over the past 47 years. The Three Lakes Association and The Nature Conservancy were early backers of the "Grass River Wildlife Project" along with the county of Antrim providing crucial support. Since then, the State of Michigan, government agencies, foundations, businesses and private individuals by the hundreds have generously supported the initiative making it a truly collaborative community undertaking.
The result speaks for itself: a place locked in time, immune to the surrounding pressures and a safe haven for the natural world to thrive. Grass River Natural Area belongs to its stakeholders – county residents and visitors – who continue to recognize the value in protecting this irreplaceable natural resource and teaching future generations of their important role in sustaining it.
Major contributors and volunteers for the project attended a ceremony in November 1977 at the Antrim County Courthouse to officially transfer the land from The Nature Conservancy to Antrim County: Margaret Campbell, GRNA secretary, Larry Hughes, and Warren Studley whose vision initiated the project. Bottom row are Fred Bechtold, Wes Baker, Everett Ash, James G. Young, James Callison and Jerry Keller. The stone marker by the old cabin at Grass River Natural Area commemorates the many citizens who helped to form this special place: Three Lakes Association Antrim County Board of Commissioners U.S. Soil Conservation Service Michigan Department of Natural Resources The Nature Conservancy Countless Volunteers 
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A BRIEF GRNA TIMELINE
1968 - Dr. Alfred Austin approaches Warren Studley, working with Antrim County's Soil Conservation Service, about protecting his 62-acre plot along Grass River and Lake Bellaire after attempted development.
1969 - The possibility of protecting Grass River from development is discussed. The Grass River Wildlife Project is formed.
1975 - The Delange Property and cabin are acquired.
1976, August 21 - The Official Dedication Ceremony of 1,050 acres is held at Grass River Natural Area.
1979 - GRNA, Inc. files Articles of Incorporation with Department of Commerce and becomes a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
1980 – A management contract between Antrim County and GRNA, Inc. is established.
1981 - GRNA, Inc. contracts Dr. Edwin Squires of Taylor University to conduct an ecological inventory of the property.
1982 - The parking lot and the boardwalk of the Sedge Meadow Trail are first constructed at Grass River Natural Area.
1983 - Over 1,000 acres are now included in the Grass River Natural Area.
1983 – The Ecological Inventory is completed and GRNA, Inc. hires its first administrative assistant.
1984 - The Fern Trail is constructed and the first environmental education classes begin.
1991 – GRNA, Inc. hires its first Executive Director.
1999 - The Chippewa Trail and Nipissing Trail are built in GRNA's upland forests.
2003 - The Algonquin Trail is constructed south of the Rail Trial.
2004 - GRNA, Inc. hires its first Education Director.
2011 - The Grass River Center is constructed.
2016 - The Grass River Natural Area is 1492 acres.
2018 - New ADA boardwalk constructed with a small loop by cabin.
2019 - Grass River Natural Area celebrates its 50th anniversary.
2024 - Grass River Natural Area grows to 1503 acres. New ADA boardwalk constructed to dock.
1969 - The possibility of protecting Grass River from development is discussed. The Grass River Wildlife Project is formed.
1975 - The Delange Property and cabin are acquired.
1976, August 21 - The Official Dedication Ceremony of 1,050 acres is held at Grass River Natural Area.
1979 - GRNA, Inc. files Articles of Incorporation with Department of Commerce and becomes a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
1980 – A management contract between Antrim County and GRNA, Inc. is established.
1981 - GRNA, Inc. contracts Dr. Edwin Squires of Taylor University to conduct an ecological inventory of the property.
1982 - The parking lot and the boardwalk of the Sedge Meadow Trail are first constructed at Grass River Natural Area.
1983 - Over 1,000 acres are now included in the Grass River Natural Area.
1983 – The Ecological Inventory is completed and GRNA, Inc. hires its first administrative assistant.
1984 - The Fern Trail is constructed and the first environmental education classes begin.
1991 – GRNA, Inc. hires its first Executive Director.
1999 - The Chippewa Trail and Nipissing Trail are built in GRNA's upland forests.
2003 - The Algonquin Trail is constructed south of the Rail Trial.
2004 - GRNA, Inc. hires its first Education Director.
2011 - The Grass River Center is constructed.
2016 - The Grass River Natural Area is 1492 acres.
2018 - New ADA boardwalk constructed with a small loop by cabin.
2019 - Grass River Natural Area celebrates its 50th anniversary.
2024 - Grass River Natural Area grows to 1503 acres. New ADA boardwalk constructed to dock.
