As the seasons shift and Grass River Natural Area moves through its familiar rhythms, one thing remains constant—your vital role in protecting this incredible place.
This past year was one of tremendous growth and impact. We welcomed over 900 students into the woods and wetlands, helped more than 120 paddlers connect with our waters, and celebrated a major land conservation milestone—surpassing 1,500 protected acres thanks to the generosity of the Wilson Family. We expanded accessible boardwalks, built new interpretive signage recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Indigenous peoples, and launched projects like the natural playground that will serve generations to come.
All of this is only possible because of our community. Because of you.
Whether you’ve volunteered, participated in programs, or made a donation—thank you. And if you’re just discovering Grass River, we hope this report inspires you to take your next step with us.
As we look ahead to completing the final boardwalk reconstruction, expanding our river stewardship, and deepening our educational offerings, we ask for your continued support. A gift to Grass River Natural Area is more than a donation—it’s a commitment to protecting a rare and beautiful ecosystem, and to inspiring wonder and care in everyone who visits.
Will you join us in making 2025 another landmark year for conservation, education, and community?
Together, we can ensure that Grass River Natural Area remains—always—yours to explore, yours to protect.
With gratitude,
Jenn Wright Executive Director
ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION
In 2024, Grass River Natural Area experienced one of its most impactful years in education and outreach. Over 900 students and 200+ adults participated in school field trips and homeschool programs during the winter, spring, and fall—some of the highest engagement numbers in recent years. These hands-on experiences deepened students’ understanding of nature and connected classroom learning with real-world exploration.
Our Summer Camp program continued to thrive, welcoming 82 campers over four weeks—up from 60 in 2023. In partnership with Northwestern Michigan College’s College for Kids, we also hosted 27 additional campers at the VASA Trails in Traverse City. Campers logged nearly 2,000 hours exploring wetlands, creeks, and nature-based activities, forming lasting memories and bonds with the outdoors.
Our kayaking programs grew again, with over 120 people exploring the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. A new boardwalk and universally accessible launch now make it easier for all visitors to reach the dock and enjoy water-based programs. The remaining boardwalk is planned to be replaced in 2025, making all of Grass River’s boardwalk accessible for visitors.
“Upon
Our ongoing native plant education efforts, in partnership with Birdsfoot Native Nursery, distributed 2,635 plants to local landscapes through our annual sale. We also held an Earth Day native tree event and improved the lawn area in front of the center with eco-grass, creating a more welcoming space for learning and play.
Popular community events and programs remained strong in 2024, including the Grass River Shiver, MapleFest, EarthWeek, Wild Turkey Trot 5k, and Lighting of the Bridges—all drawing positive feedback. Seasonal favorites like lantern-lit evenings, maple tapping, mushrooming, and owl prowls continued, while our partnership with NMC Extended Education expanded to offer more classes than ever before.
To support this educational growth, we finalized and installed a new suite of signage to enhance navigation and interpretation across the natural area. These include new wayfinding, educational signs, and interpretive panels honoring Native American history, especially around the new boardwalk and playground areas.
my return, I was greeted by a group of students raving about your class. We really appreciate the opportunity to work with you to envision creative and insightful ways to engage audiences in our work. We are most grateful for your commitment to our common mission.” - Training participant
The new accessible boardwalk overlook at the mouth of Finch Creek
RECOGNIZING OUR DONORS
YOU ARE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU! We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this list. If you notice any errors, please accept our sincerest apologies, and our invitation to lunch! Contact us at 231-533-8314 or email Laurie Boccia at Laurie@grassriver.org.
LEGACY SOCIETY
Anonymous (2)
Dr. Doug & Dr. Mary Brothers
Stan & Betsy Dole
James Dole
Lucy Dueck
Bob & Sue Holtzmann
Sharon Joy
David & Maureen Latanick
Ray & Nancy Ludwa
Mike Moquin & Julia Spalding
Erik & Elizabeth Rasmussen
Mary Richards
John Ross, Jr.
Dottie Schaefer
Colette Stanish
Warren Studley & Barbara Smith
Sue Haadsma-Svensson & Kjell
Svensson
HERON SUSTAINER ($1,500+)
Anonymous (4)
Jean Ashby & Kenneth Burger
Richard & Susan Bingham
Norton & Mary Lee Bretz
Jim & Meg Costello
Sally DeLange
Betsy Dole
Karen Franseen
Fred Gasper & Kathy Ingell
Lawrence & Marilyn Gawne
Warren & Mary Gilbert
Rich & Anna Hannan
Robert & Bethany Hawkins
Tim Hildreth
Jim & Catherine Hook
Huntington Family
Al & Julie Hurd
Norm & Judy Jones
Pat & Sue Kelly
Ray & Nancy Ludwa
Karen Maccracken
Thomas & Wendy Miller
Kate Minasian
Elizabeth Oliver
Charles & Robyn Polzin
Tim & Susan Rapinchuk
Rosso Family Foundation
Louise & David Schraa
Sean Stevenson
Todd & Pam Vitaz
Charles & Chris Ward
EAGLE SUSTAINER ($500 - $1,499)
Anonymous (2)
Kathrine Amerman & John Vogel
Melynda Bagley & Dale Claudepierre
Bob & Priscilla Baker
Herwig & Vickie Baumann
Kenneth Beck
Richard & Elizabeth Bellingham
Dan & Mary Kay Bickmann
Essie Blackburn
Frances & Ken Bluhm
Laurie & David Boccia
Alfred Brothers
Gary & Lisa Buczkowski
Jim & Angela Buczkowski
Ms. Carolyn Burke & Mr. Ric Cicone
Pete Byron
Albert Cash
Kevin Celarek
Norm Chirite
Dan & Linda Cline
Gillian Cobb Niemisto & Sean
Niemisto
Bill & Paula Cordes
Steve & Nancy Crosby
Richard & Marilyn Cross
Mark Demeester
Mike & Rhea Dow
Erick & Anne Drake
Debbie & Mark Eberly
Joe & Debbie Eggleston
Jack & Jacque Eslick
Harriet Field
Laura Franseen & Norman Kjome
Dave & Esther Frey
Mark Frick
Paul & Mari Frost
Jim & Lucy Gerlach
Mary Glidden
Herrington-Fitch Family Foundation
Mary Jo & Daniel Hickey
Hildreth Family Fund
Hilltop Securities
Donald Hirt & Lisa Hall
Matthew Howell & Julie Wagner
Mr. Jim Huckle
John Hunting
Bruce & Robin Insalaco
Tom & Bette Irwin
Randy & Bonnie Johnson
Jim & Amy Keane
Bob & Mary Keedy
Kathy & Bruce Krauskopf
Jayme Lahut & Katherine Robinson
Mark & Katherine Lefanowicz
Mindy Lewin
Ray Loeschner
Robert & Norma Lyon
Anne Magoun
Mr. Frank & Ms. Elizabeth Malone
Graham & Peggy Martin
Dan Mielke & Sallie Chapman
Dick & Diana Milock
Jay Mittner & Cristina Torres
Susie Nagel
Tye Nordberg
Linda Oxford
Rachel Payne
Dr. Ralph Pearlman & Karen
Swanson
Stephanie Pfeiffer
Russell Price
Dave & Sue Reck
Cynthia Ruma
Julie Ruma & Brian Scallen
Dottie Schaefer
M.K. & Janice Simpson
Roger Skrobeck
Carolyn Smith
Stacy & Alan Sollenberger
Dennis & Michele Spillane
Steve & Judy Springsdorf
Betse Stuart
Sue Haadsma-Svensson & Kjell
Svensson
Ralph & Barbara Thayer
Ronald & Pat Turner
Laura VanVlack
David Varga & Barbara Van Pelt
Thomas & Cottie Volle
Geoffrey & Michelle Weidner
Dorothy Wierman
Woody Wright
Jim & Barb Zeller
LOON ($150 - $499)
Anonymous (7)
Dan & Julie Anderson
Gary & Myra Andrews
Sharon Bacon
Butch & Liz Bartz
Walter Baughman
Jessica Bellinder & Brian Arthur
Mrs. Diane Bengtson
Jack & Birdell Berry
JoEllen Bloch
Dana Boals
Daniel & Patricia Bober
Kathy & Jonathan Brodhag
Julie Buckmaster
Richard & LeAnn Burdette
Jim & Nancy Campbell
Wandell & Betty Carlton
Kevin & Anne Case
Gary & Mary Chenoweth
Kathleen Chimko
David & Eunsook Christian
Kim Clarke
Christopher & Martie Conner
Glenn & Susan Cook
Chris & Merrie Corbett
Patrick & Judith Corso
Marie Dieudonne
Pam & Bill Esterline
Ina Fernandez & Joseph Berkowski
Kari & Jim Fisher
Paul & Charlene Fitzpatrick
Mr. Michael & Ms. Mary Foley
Steven & Sallie Foley
Joan Forgrave
Lauri Frederick
Mike & Carolyn Galsterer
Mandy Garver & Allen Wolf
Robert & Sheridan Haack
Mike & Mary Haley
Mike & Fran Harmon
Dennis Harrell
William & Myrna Holland
Priscilla Horton
Rich & Shannon Isaacson
Gert & Ron Jacobson
Bradley Jensen & Rebecca Benson
Eric Klingler
M. Kathleen Klosterman
Ms. Linda & Mr. Tim Kohr
Robert Kollin
Daniel & Joyce Kulongowski
Eileen Larsen
Robert & Susan Lockwood
John & Catherine Loomis
Lorraine Lund
Jeffrey & Paula Malak
Henry & Connie Mast
David Mathews
Hugh & Karen McDiarmid
Deb McGee
Eldon & Kathy McPherson
Jill Meyer
Anne Miller
Patrick & Christine Muldoon
David Muzzo
Curtis & Wendy Myers
Doug & Dale Neuenschwander
Norm & Ann Neuenschwander
Michael Oakes
Bill & Judy Owen
Stephen Peel
Lisa Pysher
Matthew Read & Tracy Zeman
Alexander & Patricia Robinson
Jim & Amanda Roble
UP AND COMING: MARK YOUR CALENDARS
SPRING FLING AT DOCKSIDE
TUESDAY MAY 6, 2025 - 5-9 PM
There is no easier way to support Grass River Natural Area than enjoying food and drinks on the beautiful shores of Torch Lake. Join us at The Dockside south of Bellaire on Tuesday, May 6th from 5 pm to 9 pm where 50% of all food and drink proceeds benefit GRNA. Enjoy great food with wonderful people in a relaxing environment all while supporting a great organization.
SPRING STREAM MONITORING
SATURDAY MAY 10, 2025 - 9AM
Location: Grass River Center and sampling on Finch Creek
Twice a year Grass River collects data through stream monitoring. This year, teams will be collecting habitat data and macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects) at several sites along Finch Creek. After collection we will return to the Grass River Center to sort through the samples. Pre-registration for this event is required. Pre-register by RSVP’ing to Emma at emma@grassriver.org.
SPRING STEWARDSHIP DAY
SATURDAY MAY 17, 2025 - 9AM
As spring rains are falling and flower buds begin emerging, it is time to join in the spring cleaning at GRNA! Trail grooming, garden weeding, and window shining are a few of the many tasks for freshening up our grounds and Center in preparation for summer. No experience is necessary, just a pair of gloves, a “spring” in your step, and an open spirit. Pre-registration is encouraged - email Brian at stewardship@grassriver.org
KAYAK GRASS RIVER
FIRST TOUR IS
FRIDAY, JUNE 6 - 9:30AM TOURS CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER
$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.
WILD ORCHID WALK
SATURDAY JUNE 7, 2025 - 1PM
$15 per person, must pre-register Join Education Director James Dake in an exclusive presentation and off-trail expedition to see rare orchids and other amazing plants, like carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews, in lesser known areas of GRNA. Limited space. Must be able to hike on uneven and wet/muddy terrain for the outdoor portion. Wearing muck boots is highly recommended, as the places we go will be very wet. This program meets at the Grass River Center.
NEW DATE FOR RIVERFEST!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 AT SHANTY CREEK RESORTS
Riverfest celebrates all we have accomplished over the last year and raises funds to support our important work to conserve and protect this special place. The evening will include a strolling dinner, music, live auction, an update from our Executive Director, and lots of fun and laughter. You don’t want to miss this special evening!
For a full listing of events visit www.grassriver.org.
TREASURER’S REPORT
By Mindy Lewin
We are deeply grateful to our supporters—including public agencies, foundations, and business partners— whose contributions ensure we have the resources needed to advance our mission. As illustrated in the charts below, we’re continuing to diversify our revenue streams while carefully managing our expenses. A generous land donation in 2024 significantly boosted our net assets, further strengthening our financial foundation and positioning us for long-term success.
Note: These figures represent unaudited financial information for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
BEGINNING NET ASSETS: $1,380,617 ENDING NET ASSETS: $2,124,907 CHANGE IN NET ASSETS: $744,290
MISSION: To manage the Grass River Natural Area, conserve and protect its watershed, and provide opportunities that increase knowledge, appreciation, and community-wide stewardship of the natural environment.
