Kayak Grass River
Tuesday, June 4 and Monday, June 17
9:30 am (2.5 hrs.)
$45 per person - includes tour, kayak, PFD, and paddle
for each participant
There is no better way to experience Grass River than by paddling its calm waters and enjoying its unique wildlife! On these morning guided tours, visitors
explore Grass River by kayak and find out about GRNA’s conservation efforts, wetland plants, and wildlife. Adults and Teens Only. Limited to small groups, must pre-register. Call GRNA to register: 231-492-8793, or email james@grassriver.org. This program meets at the Grass River Center and then walks to the dock to launch kayaks. Kayaks and paddles are provided and ready for you at the dock.

Weekly Wildflower Walk
Every Tuesday, May-August
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 docents Lyn Petty and Phil Jarvi. 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.

Native Plant Sale
Saturday, June 8, 2024
10:00am
Save the date! Grass River Natural Area’s annual native plant sale is back on June 8. Pre-order flats before June 3 or purchase individual plants on the
day of the sale.

Nature Story Time
Friday, June 14, 2024
10:30am (1.5hr)
$5 per child
Enjoy a short children's story and an activity or a hike on the beautiful trails at Grass River. Best for young children ages 4 and up, but all ages welcome. $5 per child. Larger groups please call ahead for a private program.

Summer Bird Walk
Saturday, June 15, 2024
8am (2hrs)
$5 per person
The birds that call Grass River home are now nesting and singing. Learn to ID birds by song and habitat on a guided bird walk on our beautiful trails. Binoculars are available to borrow from the Grass River Center.

Art on Thursdays - Nature Journaling
Thursday, June 20, 2024
1:00pm (2 hrs)
$10 per person
On select Thursdays this summer, join a naturalist at 1pm for a reoccurring nature art program! We will explore painting, sketching, journaling, clay, and
more! This Thursday will be Nature Journaling with Arlene. All supplies provided.

NMC Sedges of Northern Michigan
Friday, June 21, 2024
10:00am (2 hrs)
Register through NMC Extended Education 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. Register through NMC Extended Education

June Mushroom Hunt
Saturday, June 22, 2024
10:00am (2 hrs)
$10 per person
Morels aren't the only mushrooms. Early summer mushrooms are beginning, like oysters. We will learn about summer-fruiting fungi and then head out on a hike in search of mushrooms with a Grass River naturalist.

NMC Wild Michigan Orchids & Other Rare Plants
Friday, June 28, 2024
10:00am (2 hrs)
Register through NMC Extended EducationOrchids 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 Education.