GRASS RIVER NATURAL AREA UPCOMING EVENTS
Family Playgroup
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Thursday, January 22, 2026
10:30-11:30am
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 https://greatstartkids.com/
RESCHEDULED!!
Lantern-lit Evening
Friday, January 23, 2026
6:30-8:30pm
$5 per person
Lantern light shining through the trees is a great way to enjoy the forest in winter. Enjoy a self-guided lantern-lit hike, or an evening ski or snowshoe on GRNA’s trails and boardwalks if there is snow. We will have a warm campfire at the Center pavilion and the heated building will be open and staffed. Come any time during the 2-hour, self-guided, "open-house" style event. Bring a flashlight or headlamp. Skis and snowshoes for all ages are available for rent at the Grass River Center for an additional $5 rental fee during the program, or bring your own.
NMC Michigan Trees in Winter
Friday, January 16, 2026
1:00-3:00pm at NMC
Register through NMC Extended Education
Gain the skills to identify Michigan trees in winter by their bark, buds, and branching patterns. We'll use a variety of real specimens collected from Grass River Natural Area, along with photographs and guides to learn ID techniques for woody plants, including broadleaf trees, shrubs, and evergreens.
NEWLY ADDED!
Winter Art with Mixed Media
Saturday, January 24, 2026
1:00-3:00pm
$10 per person
Create a beautiful winter scene using a variety of artistic media. Begin by creating a winter background, then add photos to capture the unique beauty of winter. All supplies provided.
NEWLY ADDED!
Forestry for Michigan Birds
Saturday, January 31, 2026
10:00am-12:00pm
Free and open to all, RSVP to james@grassriver.org
Join Austin Heslinga, Private Lands Biologist with the American Bird Conservancy, to learn how to better manage your property for better bird habitat. This interactive presentation will also include a walk on the trails to look at bird habitat. This program is free. RSVP to james@grassriver.org so we know how many to expect!
Grass River Shiver 5k/10k Snowshoe Race Fundraiser
Saturday, February 7, 2026
10:00am start time
Grass River Natural Area
Put on your snowshoes and run or walk through the beautiful snow-covered Grass River Natural Area as a fundraiser for our programs! A prize is awarded to overall male and female 5K/10K winners. 10k participants run two loops of the course. Walkers are welcome, too! An official clock will start at 10am on Saturday morning for those that would like an official clocked time to run their race with other runners and walkers, but the course will be up for the weekend if runners need to run it at a later time.
Registration including a shirt at: Grass River Shiver Snowshoe 5k/10k | Bonfire
or you may pre register for the race only and no tshirt for $25 HERE ($30 for walk-ins on race day).
