Community Programs
|
 Celebrate Nature in Northern Michigan!Join us for our Nature North Festival on June 12 from 10 am-4 pm! This free family festival will have a variety of activities, including a live raptor demonstration, free kayaking on Sabin Pond, hands-on activities from environmental and education organizations, nature crafts, music, food, and much more. Fun for the whole family! Click here for more details and event schedule.
We are still in need of volunteers for this fun event. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jon Prins jprins@gtcd.org or 231-941-0960 ext 17.
Summer Nature Day Camps are Back!
 Nurture your child's connection to nature this summer at one of our Nature Day Camps! Your child will have loads of fun inside and out with great nature crafts and games. Weekly morning sessions will be taking place in July and August for children ages 4-12. Each week features a different theme for a different age group. We look forward to seeing your little natural resource steward this summer! Click here for details.
We are looking for volunteers for Nature Day Camp! If you are interested in helping out, please contact Colleen Masterson-Bzdok at cmasterson@gtcd.org or 941-0960 ext. 25.
June Programs at the Nature Center!
Join us for one of our fun & educational June programs for individuals & families! They take place every Saturday & some evenings throughout the year. Click here for the full schedule.
Meet the Summer 2010 Education Assistants
The GTCD's Environmental Education team is excited to welcome two new Education Assistants for the 2010 summer season - Michelle Handke and Carrie Crigier. Click here to learn a little more about them.
|
Land Management Services
|
|
Working together for the Good of your Parklands
In May, a volunteer with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) noticed a patch of the invasive garlic mustard by the disk golf course of Hickory Hills. While the GTCD doesn't manage Hickory Hills it does manage the adjacent parkland, Hickory Meadows. Together the GTCD and the Conservancy were able to get permission from the City and organize volunteers to pull the garlic mustard by the dish golf course and scout out other patches that had already moved into the Hickory Meadows property. In total, four patches were mapped and removed from both properties. Relatively few populations of garlic mustard have been found in Grand Traverse County although it is a huge battle to our natural areas in other counties. It is thought that garlic mustard was brought to Hickory Hills and Hickory Meadows in the shoes of a recreational user or by a dog. Click here to learn more about garlic mustard and how to stop the spread.
Meet the Summer 2010 Land Management Technicians
It's that time of year when the LMS team hits the trails to make sure the parklands are in tip top shape and ready for your recreational enjoyment. This summer we welcome the additional help of a Conservation Technician, Dane Moeggenberg, and a Huron Pines AmeriCorps member, Jon Stefanciw. Click here to learn a little more about them. Huron Pines AmeriCorps members provide assistance with organizational capacity building, volunteer coordination, on-the-ground restoration and habitat improvement projects, and public outreach and stewardship. Click here to learn more about this great program.
Volunteers Needed: Invasive Species Workbee
We are holding monthly Invasive Species Workbees. This month's is coming up on Sat, June 19 and will be at Brown Bridge Quiet Area. If you are interested in helping out, contact Robin Christensen at rchristensen@gtcd.org or 231.941.0960 ext 20
|
Private Land Services
|
 Support MAEAP Verified Farms this Summer!As you search for the tastiest local farm fresh food this summer, look out for the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) verified signs. An easy way to find these farms is to check out the Michigan U-pick farms & farmer's markets directory. The 2010 directory has been printed and will soon be available in County Farm Bureau insurance offices across the state. Click here for the Michigan Farm Marketing & Agri Tourism website with the directory for the MI U-Pick Farms & Farmers' Markets.
|
Support the GTCD
|
Sponsor an Upcoming Event or Program
We recently kicked-off an exciting new sponsorship program! Are you looking for a way for your business to reach your target audience and do your part to protect the natural resources of Northern Michigan at the same time? Well, this is the right opportunity for you! Click here or contact Jon Prins at 231-941-0960 or jprins@gtcd.org to learn more.
A Delicious way to Donate
Don't forget if you're looking for a sweet treat, you can stop by Firefly (downtown TC) to enjoy a delicious desert. Firefly gives $1 to the GTCD for each desert sold... Yum!
The work of the GTCD would not be possible without your support. We depend on friends like you to help us ensure we are able to deliver vibrant programs now and into the future. There are many opportunities to get involved with the GTCD by donating your "time, talent, and treasure!" Contact Rebecca Teahen ( rteahen@gtcd.org) to learn more about ways to give to the GTCD. |
