Community Calendar

Come dressed in your costume and celebrate Halloween with a self-guided lantern-lit hike at the Boardman River Nature Center, featuring North Sky Raptor Sanctuary! Get ready for games, trivia, and live Raptors on the trail!

When: Thursday, October 30th from 6:00 - 8:00pm

Where: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City MI 49685

Registration: $5/person. Registration is required. Please visit www.natureiscalling.org/events to register. Space is limited.

Audience: Families

Join Skegemog Raptor Center, in partnership with the Traverse Area District Library, for an engaging program exploring how hunters and outdoor stewards can help keep Michigan’s eagles healthy for the future.

This presentation will feature real-life case studies from our rehabilitation work, showing how lead exposure affects eagles. You’ll also learn about practical, effective ways hunters can help safeguard wildlife health while preserving a valued outdoor tradition.

As a special highlight, our education ambassador Bald Eagle, Ishkode, will make a live appearance, offering an up-close look at the beauty and resilience of these remarkable birds.

Together, we can ensure a strong future for both hunting heritage and the eagles that soar over our shared skies

For the November meeting of the Grand Traverse Humanists, Dr. Daniel Zielinski will present an update on the Traverse City FishPass Project. Dr. Zielinski is the principal engineer and scientist with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and project lead on the FishPass project.

Don’t hang up your Halloween costume just yet, join us for a Fall Plant Trivia event like never before. From ghost pipes to pumpkins, marigolds, and more come out to The Botanic Garden to cure your Halloween hangover. The season of spirits, traditions, and transformations isn’t over as we dive deep into the harvest traditions across the globe and their botanical influence in a fun and inspiring plant trivia contest.

Teams of up to four will compete for a Halloween themed grand prize and adoration for their botanical brilliance. Costumes are encouraged but not required and the top team costume members will all receive a FREE 1-Year Family Membership.

We will provide a series of botanical spirits (mocktails) using plants harvested from the garden and local products and healthy snacks for all participants. No worries there won’t be any Halloween candy as we aim to make the event a refresh after the holiday sugar rush.

You can register as a team of up to four or as an individual that would like to join a team too!

Love decorating your house for the holidays but also looking to go low-consumption this season? Learn how to arrange floral arrangements with materials from your own garden, and bring the fall beauty indoors this Thanksgiving season! Bring any container of your choosing and join us on Friday, November 7th for BYOC: Fall Floral Workshop at the Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park. Don’t worry if you’ve never arranged a bouquet past putting flowers into a vase with water, no experience is necessary for this fun hands-on class!

Bring a container with an opening 6” or less, your favorite pruners, and a creative brain!
We provide refreshments, the florals, tips and tricks from an experienced floral designer!

Join us on a walk in the forest and learn to properly identify numerous wild edible and medicinal plants that can be found in fall!

Experience the wonders of Northern Michigan’s fall landscape on a Fall Foraging Walk with local expert Clay Bowers — Saturday, Nov. 8 from Noon–2 PM at The Botanic Garden. Learn how to safely identify edible and medicinal plants, understand sustainable harvesting practices, and reconnect with nature in a hands-on way. No prior experience required—just bring an open mind and a bit of curiosity!

It’s ALIVE... and turning TWO! 🎂💚

Join us on November 11th (11/11) as we celebrate Frankenstein’s 2nd birthday — our beloved shop axolotl and official mascot of mischief and magick!

Stop by Blessed Be (116 E Front St, TC MI) for:

Sweet treats for all who visit (while supplies last)
11% off all Blessed Be items (because 11/11 just feels magickal)

A chance to wish Frankenstein a very happy hatchday!

Come share in the fun, snap a pic with our little creature of chaos, and celebrate a truly one-of-a-kind familiar.

This is a retail sale, but it is free to come see the axolotl and free sweet treat.

#BlessedBeTC #FrankensteinTheAxolotl #ShopSmall #TraverseCityEvents #WitchyVibes #AxolotlLove #MagickInMichigan #CreatureFeature #11PercentOff #BirthdayFamiliars

Kick off the holiday season by creating a fresh wreath for your front door at our annual Wreath Workshop! This DIY experience allows you to create a beautiful wreath you'll be proud to hang in your home. Wreath form, a mix of fresh, locally-sourced evergreens, ribbon, instruction and tools will be provided. Attendees will take home their handmade wreaths at the end of the class.

When: Friday, November 21st from 5:00 - 7:00pm

Where: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City MI 49685

Registration: $50/person. Registration is required. Please visit natureiscalling.org/events to register. Space is limited.

Audience: Adults

Join GTCD for a mini wreath workshop, perfect for small spaces! Whether you live in an apartment, have a cozy front door, or just want a minimalist touch of nature, this DIY workshop will guide you through making your very own holiday wreath. Wreath form, a mix of fresh, locally-sourced evergreens, ribbon, instruction and tools will be provided. Attendees will take home their fresh mini holiday wreaths at the end of the class.

When: Saturday, November 22nd from 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City MI 49685

Registration: $35/person. Registration is required. Please visit natureiscalling.org to register. Space is limited.

Audience: Adults

Join us to learn about the inspiring work of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and the sustainable practices in place at its new hub and office space.

Go behind the scenes with an inside tour of the McMullen Family Conservation Center, the Bob and Pauline Young Family Stewardship Workshop, and the native plant greenhouse. Discover how sustainable design comes to life through geothermal heating and cooling, reclaimed materials, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient systems, and thriving native landscapes. You'll also get an up-close look at one of our most effective—and adorable—invasive species management strategies: targeted grazing with our beloved goats!

The Basics:

No prior knowledge is necessary - just come ready to learn something new! This event is mild, with attendees walking and standing on a flat surface for about an hour. The tour includes two optional stops with stairs.

What should I bring?

Consider bringing your camera and/or binoculars.

Check the forecast in advance and dress accordingly, as portions of the tour will be outdoors.

This is not a dog-friendly event.

Directions:

Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Preserve, 2846 3 Mile Rd N, Traverse City, MI 49686

Please park in a designated spot and meet us at the front entrance of the building.

Registration is required. Cancellations due to weather or any other reason will be notified to registered participants via email. Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact us at (231) 929-7911 or info@gtrlc.org.