Nature Is Calling

GTCD’s Family River Days are monthly, weekend programs that invite families to explore and connect with the Boardman–Ottaway River throughout the Natural Education Reserve. During each River Day, the Nature Center will be open for two hours, serving as a home base for hands-on learning, self-guided discovery, and exploration along the river. Families are encouraged to explore habitats both above and below the water’s surface, discovering the plants and animals that call the river home.

Fireside Chats are monthly, recurring gatherings that invite the community to come together around the warmth of a shared campfire for open, meaningful conversation. Each gathering follows a loose theme—serving as a gentle starting point rather than a set agenda—allowing discussions to unfold naturally based on the interests, experiences, and perspectives of those gathered.

Join Michigan's TOPP Technicians for monthly drop-in office hours to chat about all things organic farming. Topics may include organic production techniques, input sourcing, cost-share opportunities, record-keeping options, and strategies for identifying and connecting with organic markets.

Cross the Ottaway Crossing Footbridge and collect natural data of the east side of the Natural Education Reserve. Join GTCD staff and volunteers to record plant, animal, and fungi species using the iNaturalist app, creating valuable data that supports conservation and land management efforts.

Join us for this interactive workshop as part of the GLIF Community "Growing Together" Series, which explores the benefits of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the vital role pollinator habitats play in sustainable agriculture. This series will provide alternative strategies for managing pests effectively while fostering biodiversity, plant health, and supporting beneficial insects.

Join GTCD Naturalists and Steve Largent, Boardman-Ottaway River expert and former GTCD Boardman River Program Coordinator, for a guided kayak float through the scenic Brown Bridge Quiet Area. Largent is a strong advocate for the preservation and protection of the watershed, having played an instrumental role in countless restoration projects throughout his three-decade-long career with GTCD.

The Perennial Farm Ecosystem Conference is a free, full-day learning event focused on regenerative agriculture strategies for orchard and vineyard systems. Hosted by the Grand Traverse Conservation District in partnership with the MSU Northwest Horticultural Research Station, this conference will help growers explore what “regenerative” means in the context of perennial crop production.

In partnership with Michigan State University Extension, GTCD and Kara Lynch, Food Safety Educator at MSU Extension, will present on safe vegetable fermentation practices, followed by a hands-on workshop providing attendees with all the resources they need to learn how to make their own sauerkraut at home. Every participant will leave with a quart mason jar of pre-fermented sauerkraut!

Fireside Chats are monthly, recurring gatherings that invite the community to come together around the warmth of a shared campfire for open, meaningful conversation. Each gathering follows a loose theme—serving as a gentle starting point rather than a set agenda—allowing discussions to unfold naturally based on the interests, experiences, and perspectives of those gathered.

GTCD’s Family River Days are monthly, weekend programs that invite families to explore and connect with the Boardman–Ottaway River throughout the Natural Education Reserve. During each River Day, the Nature Center will be open for two hours, serving as a home base for hands-on learning, self-guided discovery, and exploration along the river. Families are encouraged to explore habitats both above and below the water’s surface, discovering the plants and animals that call the river home.

Join Michigan's TOPP Technicians for monthly drop-in office hours to chat about all things organic farming. Topics may include organic production techniques, input sourcing, cost-share opportunities, record-keeping options, and strategies for identifying and connecting with organic markets.

This interactive session digs into how farmers evaluate the return on investment of organic certification—financially, culturally, and in their markets. We’ll explore how producers think through the costs of certification compared to building trust “organically,” through transparency, consistency, and community relationships.

Celebrate 85 years of conservation during The Year of the River with the Grand Traverse Conservation District’s Speakers Series. Throughout the year, this series will feature engaging talks from professional speakers covering a wide range of topics, including the Boardman–Ottaway River, conservation efforts, GTCD history, natural resources, and more. Each program offers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and deepen our connection to the river and landscapes that shape our community.

In partnership with Michigan State University Extension, GTCD and Kara Lynch, Food Safety Educator at MSU Extension, will demonstrate safe tomato preservation techniques that can be utilized in your own kitchen. This class will focus on a wide range of preservation techniques, from water bath canning, freezing, and dehydrating, to provide something for the seasoned and novice home preservationists.

Join fellow farm educators and ag professionals for this TOPP webinar on how research, outreach, and education can better center farmer knowledge. We’ll begin with a series of quick, highly practical lightning talks from five educators explaining how they elevate farmer wisdom through webinars, field days, working groups, research collaboration, and mentorship.

Experience the Boardman–Ottaway River from a different perspective on a guided kayak float through the scenic Brown Bridge Quiet Area. Led by GTCD naturalists, we invite participants to slow down, observe, and connect with the river’s dynamic ecosystem. As you float downstream, naturalists will share insights about the river’s history, wildlife, and surrounding habitats.

Join GTCD and ISN for a garlic mustard paper making demonstration, followed by printmaking with plants! Experiment with different techniques, textures, and ink as you create your own beautiful work of art. Participants will have the opportunity to take home prints on garlic mustard paper, greeting cards, and a framed 5x7 print.

This webinar equips farm educators and agricultural professionals with a clear, real‑world understanding of how organic certification works on urban farms such as Earthworks. Learn about certification requirements, practices, records, inspection processes, and the challenges specific to urban production. We will also explore when certification does or doesn’t make sense for urban growers and share lessons from urban farmer mentees who have navigated the process—from motivations to barriers to un

Join Grand Traverse Conservation District naturalists for a guided hike through the scenic Grand Traverse Commons trail system. Explore, learn, and connect with the natural world as our naturalists share insights on local ecosystems and conservation. The hike concludes at Earthen Ales, where participants can choose to enjoy a specially crafted Beer of the River to complement our Year of the River programming for the year.

GTCD’s Family River Days are monthly, weekend programs that invite families to explore and connect with the Boardman–Ottaway River throughout the Natural Education Reserve. During each River Day, the Nature Center will be open for two hours, serving as a home base for hands-on learning, self-guided discovery, and exploration along the river. Families are encouraged to explore habitats both above and below the water’s surface, discovering the plants and animals that call the river home.

Join Michigan's TOPP Technicians for monthly drop-in office hours to chat about all things organic farming. Topics may include organic production techniques, input sourcing, cost-share opportunities, record-keeping options, and strategies for identifying and connecting with organic markets.

Join GTCD and Sierra LaRose of Bear Earth Herbals for an immersive medicinal plant walk and hands-on herbal workshop! Learn how to identify wild herbs and explore their medicinal uses while on a guided hike. Then, use what you have learned to make your own herbal tincture, oil, or vinegar using freshly harvested herbs from the region.

Join Grand Traverse Conservation District naturalists for a guided hike through the scenic Grand Traverse Commons trail system. Explore, learn, and connect with the natural world as our naturalists share insights on local ecosystems and conservation. The hike concludes at Earthen Ales, where participants can choose to enjoy a specially crafted Beer of the River to complement our Year of the River programming for the year.

Celebrate 85 years of conservation during The Year of the River with the Grand Traverse Conservation District’s Speakers Series. Throughout the year, this series will feature engaging talks from professional speakers covering a wide range of topics, including the Boardman–Ottaway River, conservation efforts, GTCD history, natural resources, and more. Each program offers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and deepen our connection to the river and landscapes that shape our community.

Join us for this interactive workshop as part of the GLIF Community "Growing Together" Series, exploring how healthy soil is the foundation of a resilient farm. You’ll learn multiple composting methods and how to turn organic waste into a powerful soil amendment. You will also explore how the Great Lakes Incubator Farm integrates compost and biochar as part of its soil fertility plan.

Celebrate the start of summer with a family-friendly day of exploration and connection along the Boardman–Ottaway River. Families are encouraged to spend the day enjoying a mix of guided and self-guided activities, including a guided hike to the Great Lakes Incubator Farm, hands-on river discovery with aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, and opportunities to contribute to the GTCD community BioBlitz.

Contribute to science and help document local biodiversity at our community bioblitz at Brown Bridge Quiet Area. Join GTCD staff and volunteers as we identify and record plant, animal, and fungi species using the iNaturalist app, creating valuable data that supports conservation and land management efforts.

Celebrate 85 years of conservation with a first taste of something truly local. Join the Grand Traverse Conservation District and Earthen Ales for a public Beer Release Party unveiling a special-edition Vienna Lager crafted with locally grown hops and malt from Great Lakes Malting Company. Be among the first to experience the reveal of the beer’s name and can design, created by local artist Windy Hill Art Studio.

Join Michigan's TOPP Technicians for monthly drop-in office hours to chat about all things organic farming. Topics may cover organic production techniques, input sourcing, cost-share opportunities, record-keeping options, and strategies for identifying and connecting with organic markets.

Celebrate the Boardman-Ottaway River with the Grand Traverse Conservation District at this special Paint and Sip event. Led by local art experts from Surfaces, participants will paint a unique riverscape while enjoying specialty beer from Earthen Ales.

Calling all trivia buffs! Test your knowledge of the natural world with us at Earthen Ales! Each trivia night will feature five rounds and a speed round, with a local partner organization bringing its expertise to the evening. Expect engaging questions, great conversation, and a deeper connection to our region’s ecology and community!

Join GTCD and the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) at Hickory Meadows for a hands-on stewardship event focused on restoring native habitats. Together, we will remove garlic mustard, protecting the integrity of our local ecosystem. Afterwards, we will transition to planting native seedlings to enhance biodiversity and support the long-term health of habitats throughout Hickory Meadows.

Contribute to science and help document local biodiversity at our community bioblitz at Hickory Forest. Join GTCD staff and volunteers as we identify and record plant, animal, and fungi species using the iNaturalist app, creating valuable data that supports conservation and land management efforts.

Join a GTCD naturalist on a walk through East Creek Reserve to learn the basics of identifying spring edibles. We will discuss proper foraging techniques, rules and regulations, and different ways to prepare the edibles we come across.

Join Michigan's TOPP Technicians for monthly drop-in office hours to chat about all things organic farming. Topics may cover organic production techniques, input sourcing, cost-share opportunities, record-keeping options, and strategies for identifying and connecting with organic markets.

Explore the Boardman River Nature Center’s new Story Trail with Michigan author Allison Bartlette! This hands-on event will feature a craft, scavenger hunt, and interactive reading of Bartlette’s book: Walking on a Trail.

Join District staff in planting native tree species that will provide shade relief for trail users, increase wildlife habitat, and increase native biodiversity throughout Hickory Meadows! This event is sponsored by DTE with match funds to plant potted stock trees across Hickory Meadows landscape.