About the About the About the Grand Traverse Grand Traverse Grand Traverse Conservation District Conservation District Conservation District
Since1941,theGrandTraverseConservationDistricthas beenworkingtoconnectthecommunitytothelandin anactivewaythroughrestoringnaturalareas, teachingourcommunitytobe conservationleaders, supportingsustainable,localagriculture,and stewardshipoftheBoardman-OttawayRiver.Weare basedoutoftheBoardmanRiverNatureCenterin TraverseCity,Michigan.
Ourmissionistolead,facilitate,andinspire exploration,appreciation,conservation,and restorationofournaturalworld.
TheGrandTraverseConservationDistrict’s programmingprovideschildren,families,andadultsa gatewaytoournaturalworld.Infacilitatingthe explorationandstudyoftheoutdoors,our programmingseekstoempowerindividualstoplaya personalroleinenvironmentalstewardshipandinspire futuregenerationsofconservationleaders.
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Spring Foraging ID for Beginners
Description: Join a GTCD naturalist on a walk through East Creek Reserve to learn the basics of identifying spring edibles.
When: Thursday, April 24th from 3:00 - 4:30pm
Where: East Creek Reserve. Meet at the parking lot on Mayfield Road.
Cost: $15/person
Audience: Adults
Nature Journaling Series
Description: Connect with the natural world on paper! During this three-part series, slow down and nurture your connection with the outdoors. Each week will focus on a different theme including; nature journaling basics, all senses on paper, and sketching like scientists. Afterwards, you will leave with the tools to confidently continue your nature journaling experience! When: Select Thursdays in May from 6:00 - 8:00pm
May 1st
May 15th
May 29th
Where: Natural Education Reserve, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685
Cost: $25/class or $60 to register for all three classes in the series
Audience: Adults
Family Geology Hike: Journey into the World of Fossils
Description: Join us for a Family Geology Hike, featuring the Grand Traverse Area Rock and Mineral Club Pebble Pups, where you’ll step back in time on a journey into the world of fossils. Led by seasoned experts in paleontology, this event combines a scenic hike with hands-on fossil discovery, offering participants the chance to learn about ancient creatures and geological wonders of our planet.
When: Saturday, May 3rd from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Meet at the Meadows Pavilion on the Natural Education Reserve.
Cost: Free
Audience: Families
Native Plant Sale
Saturday, May 17th | 10:00am - 2:00pm
Community Workshop
Community Workshop
Growing Together Growing Together Growing Together Community Workshop
Seed Starting Essentials
Description: Join us at the Great Lakes Incubator Farm for an engaging Seed Starting Workshop designed to help you grow healthy plants from the ground up! Participants will learn about seed selection (heirloom vs. hybrid), germination techniques, transplanting tips, organic pest and disease prevention methods, proper soil, containers, and essential practices for maintaining light, temperature, and water balance.
When: Wednesday, April 23rd from 5:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Great Lakes Incubator Farm, 1091 N Keystone Rd., Traverse City, MI 49696
Cost: $10/person
Audience: Adults
Integrated Pest Management
Description: Discover how crops protect themselves from pests and diseases, and learn how to create a balanced ecosystem! This hands-on workshop will go beyond the fundamentals of IPM and will explore the vital role pollinator habitats play in sustainable agriculture.
When: Wednesday, May 21st from 5:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Great Lakes Incubator Farm, 1091 N Keystone Rd., Traverse City, MI 49696
Cost: $10/person
Audience: Adults
Growing Together Growing Together Growing Together Community Workshop
Community Workshop
Community Workshop
Soil Testing and Analysis
Description: Discover new skills to grow healthier plants and higher yields, improving your garden’s productivity! Learn how to pull your soil sample, choose the right lab, and interpret the results, in addition to learning how labs test your sample.
When: Wednesday, June 18th from 5:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Great Lakes Incubator Farm, 1091 N Keystone Rd., Traverse City, MI 49696
Cost: $10/person
Audience: Adults
Tool Use and Maintenance
Description: Join us for a hands-on Garden Tool Use and Maintenance Workshop! Learn how to properly use, clean, sharpen, and care for your garden tools to keep them working like new. Participants will leave this workshop with skills to improve efficiency, save time, and extend the life of their tools.
When: Wednesday, July 23rd from 5:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Great Lakes Incubator Farm, 1091 N Keystone Rd., Traverse City, MI 49696
Cost: $10/person
Audience: Adults
Growing Together Growing Together Growing Together Community Workshop Series Community Workshop Series Community Workshop Series
Cover Cropping and Crop Rotation
Description: Explore the benefits of cover cropping and crop rotation for soil health and sustainable farming. Learn which cover crop species work best for different goals, such as improving soil structure, reducing erosion, or fixing nitrogen, and discover how strategic crop rotations can enhance fertility, suppress pests, and maximize yields. Perfect for gardeners, farmers, and anyone passionate about growing sustainably!
When: Wednesday, Sept 17 from 5:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Great Lakes Incubator Farm, 1091 N Keystone Rd., Traverse City, MI 49696
Cost: $10/person
Audience: Adults
Season Extension and Winter Production
Description: Discover the techniques and tools needed to keep your garden or farm productive through the cold months at the Great Lakes Incubator Farm’s Season Extension & Winter Production Workshop! This workshop will explore strategies for extending the harvest season and producing crops throughout winter, utilizing season-extension tools like row covers and hoop houses, and planning your planting schedule for yearround harvests.
When: Wednesday, October 15th from 5:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Great Lakes Incubator Farm 1091 N Keystone Rd
Botanical Printmaking
Description: Experiment with textures and ink in this monoprinting workshop! Whether you're a seasoned printmaker or a curious beginner, you’ll create something completely unique.
When: Saturday, May 3rd from 2:00 - 4:00pm
Where: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685
Cost: $35/person
Audience: Adults
Native Planting & Invasive Species Removal Workbee
Description: Join the Grand Traverse Conservation District and the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network in planting native seedlings at Hickory Meadows. We will also hand pull invasive garlic mustard that has been located in parts of the park.
When: Saturday, May 10th from 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Hickory Meadows, Randolph St., Traverse City, MI 49684
Cost: Free
Night at the Nature Center Night at the Nature Center Night at the Nature Center
Visit the Boardman River Nature Center for after-hours fun! Be a nature detective and complete an educational scavenger hunt. Learn about Michigan Animals and their homes through the soft glow of lanterns.
When: Friday, May 23rd from 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Where: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Audience: Families
Forester
Hike with our District Forester in to learn about the local ecology and management considerations of Michigan forest ecosystems!
Cost: Free
Audience: Adults
Friday, May 30th from 10:00am - 12:00pm Hickory Forest. Meet at the trailhead off of Barney Road, across from Harris Road.
Friday, June 27th from 10:00am - 12:00pm East Creek Reserve. Meet at the parking lot on Mayfield Road.
Friday, July 25th from 10:00am - 12:00pm Natural Education Reserve. Meet at the Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI
Project Learning Tree & Project WILD k-8 Educator Workshop
Description: Become a certified educator in the nationallyrecognized Project Learning Tree and Project WILD curricula! Engage in a hands-on workshop investigating environmental topics with indoor and outdoor activities. This workshop is designed for formal and non-formal educators. *SCECH’s available upon request.
When: Wednesday, June 11th from 10:00am - 3:30pm
Where: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685
Cost: $70/person
Audience: Adults
Home Food Preservation Workshop: High Acid Water Bath
Description: Join us for this informative workshop focusing on High Acid Water Bath Canning, featuring a live demonstration from MSUE Food Safety Educator Kara Lynch. This hands-on, in-person demonstration will guide you through the essential steps of safely canning high-acid foods like fruits, jams, and pickles, ensuring you can enjoy your harvest year-round.
When: Wednesday, June 25th from 5:00 - 7:00pm
Where: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685
Cost: Free
Audience: Adults
Home Food Preservation Workshop: Low Acid Pressure Canning
Description: Join us for this informative workshop focusing on Low Acid High pressure Canning, featuring a live demonstration from MSUE Food Safety Educator Kara Lynch. This hands-on, in-person demonstration will guide you through the essential steps of safely canning low-acid foods like asparagus, carrots, and squash, ensuring you can enjoy your harvest year-round.
When: Wednesday, August 6th from 5:00 - 7:00pm
Where: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse
Wellness in the Woods Wellness in the Woods Wellness in the Woods Hike Series Hike Series Hike Series
Take a break and immerse yourself in nature. Reap the benefits of hearing birds and touching trees while practicing mindfulness techniques. Participants will learn to tune into their five senses on each hike and will leave with mindfulness tools to take home.
Cost: $5/person per hike
Audience: Adults
Thursday, June 12th from 5:00 - 6:30pm Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685
Thursday, July 10th from 5:00 - 6:30pm
Great Lakes Incubator Farm, 1091 N Keystone Rd., Traverse City, MI 49696
Thursday, August 14th from 5:00 - 6:30pm Brown Bridge Quiet Area, East Overlook parking lot on Ranch Rudolph Rd.
ProgramRegistrationPolicies&Refunds
Registrationisnotcompleteuntilpaymentisreceived.
Anychangestoanevent,class,workshop,program,etc.forany reason,includinginclementweather,willbecommunicatedwith registrantsassoonaspossible
Allprogrammingmaybesubjecttochange. Eachprogramparticipantmustsignawaiver.
GTCDreservestherighttoremoveaprogramparticipantdueto inappropriatebehavior.
Cancellationrequestsreceivedinwriting30daysbeforetheprogram datewillreceiveafullrefundminusa5%processingfee.
Duetothecostofprocessing,refundrequestslessthan$10.00willnot beissued
Therearenorefundsforcancellationswithin30daysoftheprogram date.
Ifcancellationoccursviathefollowing,therewillbenorefundissued: Weatherorotherrelatedemergencies Covid-19/pandemic/illnessrelatedcancellation Therearenorefundsforno-shows.
Allchildrenmustbeaccompaniedbyanadult
