GRASS RIVER NATURAL AREA ANNOUNCES JUNE EVFNTS
Weekly Wildflower Walk
Every Tuesday, May through August ; 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Free to attend, Donations are 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 10:30 am to see new flowers in bloom.
NMC Wetland Wildflowers
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 ; 1:00p-3:00 pm
Register through NMC Extended Education
The wildflowers of Michigan's wetlands are unique and
striking. Take a walk through Grass River's boardwalk
trails that give you access to some of the most exquisite
wetlands in Northern Michigan as we learn the natural
history and conservation of these gorgeous flowering
plants. Register at NMC Extended Education.
Kayak Grass River
Friday, June 6 and Sunday, June 8, 2025 ; 9:30-11:30 am
$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.
FenFest Friday June 6 - Sunday June 8
A special weekend of outdoor programs to celebrate
Grass River's fen and wetlands, with kayak tours,
wildflower walks, a native plant sale, orchid walks, birding
tours and more!
Eyes on the Forest - Invasive Pests - ThisProgram is a part of FenFest
Friday, June 6, 2025; 1:00-2:30 pm
Join Julie Crick, Natural Resources Educator from
MSU Extension, for a presentation overview of forest
invaders like the hemlock woolly adelgid, Asian
long-horned beetle, and spotted lanternfly. Then, we’ll head outside to collect data on a "Sentinel Tree", a way to keep your eye on the health of a special tree and the surrounding forests. This program is free, but please email James@grassriver.org to RSVP. This program is held in partnership with Torch Conservation Center.
Music with Miriam Pico - This Program is a part oFenFest
Friday, June 6, 2025; 12:00 pm at the Grass River Center pavilion
Free and open to the public
Enjoy a joyful morning of music and fun featuring the
amazing Miriam Pico. Kids, families, and people of all
ages will love singing, dancing, and moving along with
her interactive performance. This free event is perfect for little ones 0-5 and their families, but all are welcome. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Summer Bird Walk - This Program is a part of FenFest
Saturday, June 7, 2025; 8:00-10:00 am, $10 per person
The birds that call Grass River home are now nesting and
singing. Learn to ID birds by song and habitat on
guided bird walk with birding enthusiast Theresa Moore.
Native Plant Sale - This Program is a part of FenFest
Saturday, June 7, 2025; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
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 below with 38 plugs of a
variety of species meant for a 4'x 10' garden.
2. Show up the day of the event (June 7) to
purchase single species quarts at the Grass River Center. 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!
RiverFest - Grass River Annual Fundraiser
Wednesday, June 18, 2025; 5:30-9:00 pm, Shanty Creek Resorts
Immerse yourself in a night to remember at
Riverfest. Your ticket grants you access to an
evening filled with delicious appetizers, a
splendid dinner, delectable desserts, and lively
auction events. Enjoy cocktails on the patio and
then take a seat at your reserved dinner table
and enjoy the festivities while securing a
chance to bid on incredible items. Don't miss
out on the opportunity to partake in the excitement of the Riverfest 2025 event!
NMC Sedges of Northern Michigan
Friday, June 20, 2025; 10:00 am -12:00 pm
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 at NMC Extended Education.
NMC Wild Michigan Orchids & Other Rare Plants
Friday, June 27, 2025; 10:00 am -12:00 pm
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 at NMC Extended Education.
Kayak Grass River
Monday, June 30, 2025; 9:30-11:30am
$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.
