Weekly Wildflower Walk - Every Tuesday
10:30am -12:00pm, Free to attend, donations 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 10:30am to see new flowers in bloom. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Family Playgroup
Thursday, June 18, 2026
10:30am-12:00pm, 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 NMCAA and the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Early Childhood
Nature Journaling - Art on Thursdays
Thursday, June 11, 2026
1:00-3:00pm, $10 per person
We'll take a short walk and make sketches and take notes. Returning inside, we'll add details to add to your personal field guide. All materials supplied.
Summer Bird Walk
Saturday June 13, 2026
8:00-10:00am $10 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 with birding enthusiast Theresa Moore.
NMC Sedges of Northern Michigan
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
1:00-3:00pm, 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.
Kayak Grass River
Friday June 19, 2026
9:30-11:30am, $45 per person - includes tour, kayak, PFD, and paddle
There is no better way to experience Grass River than by paddling its calm waters and enjoying its unique wildlife! On this guided tour, 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.
Early Summer Fungus Foray
Saturday, June 20, 2026
1:00-3:00pm, $10 per person
Join us as we look for early summer fungi. We'll learn the varieties that grow and how to identify them.
