Community Calendar

Join GTCD for a self-guided snowshoe hike, and take in all of the winter beauty that the Natural Education Reserve has to offer! Bring your own mug, and GTCD naturalists will greet you with hot cocoa and help ensure your snowshoes fit properly. A limited amount of adult snowshoes will be available to borrow.

When: Friday, January 30th from 10:00 - 11:00am

Where: Natural Education Reserve. Meet at the Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685

Registration: $5/person. Registration is required. Please visit www.natureiscalling.org/events.

Audience: Adults & families.

The morning begins with a refreshing snowshoe through the vineyard — crisp air, scenic views, and just enough movement to earn that well-deserved glass of wine. Afterward, guests will warm up inside with a glass pour from Aurora Cellars, seasonal soup, fresh bread, and cozy conversation.

“Snowshoe first. Wine after. It’s all about balance,” says Northern Michigan Woman Founder Kerry Winkler. “This event is about enjoying winter in a way that feels fun, relaxed, and to make the most of our snowy season!”

The open-house style gathering allows guests to move at their own pace — whether that means hitting the trail right away or heading straight inside for warmth, wine, and connection. The atmosphere is welcoming, lighthearted, and perfect for women looking to enjoy a winter morning that feels refreshing, social, and fun.

Tickets include one glass of wine, soup, warm bread, light nibbles, and access to the vineyard snowshoe trail. Tickets are $35 each or 2 for $50, and space is limited.

For tickets and details, visit northernmichiganwoman.com or contact kerry@northernmichiganwoman.com.

The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) is partnering with the Bay Community Theatre to bring the community an independent film with a message all Go Beyond Beauty program and environmental supporters can all get behind - gardening for the planet (and habitat) in mind! While this 58 minute documentary is based out of the southern Midwest, most plant species mentioned and overall film ethos are applicable to us northerners.

A portion of ticket sales will be generously donated to ISN from the Bay Theatre. Full concessions and ISN fundraising merchandise will be available for purchase - with some surprise freebies for attendees - as well as free outreach and handouts to go along with the film!

Buy tickets ($15) to the February 1st 4pm showtime at the Bay's Box Office: https://thebaytheatre.org/box-office

Experience the magic of a winter wonderland! Join us on Tuesday, February 3, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a guided trek through the Leo Creek Preserve wetlands. We’ll dive into the secrets of winter tree identification, estimate the age of our massive white pine that fell this past December, and warm up with fresh pine needle tea.

Please dress in warm layers and sturdy boots. We also encourage hikers to bring a charged cell phone to help contribute observations to our "Walk the Wetland" iNaturalist project!

Learn more here: https://schoolship.org/news-events/guided-nature-hike/

Join WLAC Executive Director, Jon Breithaupt, for a guided tour of the groomed trails at Postle Farm Preserve. We’ll explore the diverse habitats of the property on skis and look for signs of winter wildlife. This event is free and open to the public. Directions to the Postle Farm Preserve trailhead can be found here.

“Have you ever wanted to start beekeeping? Do you want to make some extra money selling pure honey, pollen, propolis and candles? Then the craft of sustainable beekeeping may be for you!

Ages 10 and above (with parental permission) welcome!

If you have at least one year of hands-on, actual beekeeping experience, you may be eligible to take the intermediate/advanced beekeeping classes that are described below.

**Beginning Beekeeping Classes will be held at the Betsy Valley District Library in Thompsonville beginning on February 7, 2026 at 1 PM, and meeting every two weeks thereafter.

Tuition is set at $75 for the entire beginning course and an additional $75 fee for the intermediate/advanced course.

A syllabus will be available at the Library when you register.

Please call the Library or stop in person to register.
Questions, please call 231-378-2716.

Cub Scouts Pack 27 and Scouts Troop 27 invite you to an open house. Bring your family and friends and learn about scouts, enjoy a campfire with smores, play some games and fun activities, make your own trail mix, set up a tent and campsite, plus so much more. Scouting is for any youth in K-12th grade. Families welcome. Hope to see you there!

The Grand Traverse Audubon Club and Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy are collaborating to bring you this special winter field trip.

Join us to participate in the global Great Backyard Bird Count happening February 13th - 16th, an annual bird census conducted throughout the world by volunteers like you. You’ll help count birds and enter the data into the eBird app.

The Basics

We will start at Medalie Park on Boardman Lake from 9 am to 11:00 am, then move to Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve (2846 3 Mile Rd) for a nature walk on the universally accessible Looyenga Family Trail from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

What should I bring?
- Sturdy hiking shoes or snow boots are recommended
- Dress for the weather! Winter attire is a must. Always check the forecast in advance.
- Water bottle
- Consider bringing your camera or binoculars
- Download the eBird app in advance

Registration is required and limited to 20 attendees; updates or cancellations will be emailed to registered participants. If you're completing registration for multiple people, please register each individually. Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact us at (231) 929-7911 or info@gtrlc.org.

For more details and information, contact Leader Kathie Wiley - (dujour1@gmail.com)

Please click here to register!

Intermediate/Advanced Beekeeping classes will begin on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 1 PM at the Betsy Valley library in Thompsonville and will meet a minimum of every two weeks. Enrollment is limited to 15 beekeepers, with each student having a minimum of one year beekeeping experience. We will concentrate on bee biology, advanced methods of swarm control such as the Demeree, splits/divides, Snelgrove board use and others. We will also learn multiple ways of rearing queens, including cell grafting, although cell punch, the Miller method and others.

Each student will be able to keep the queens that they reared in class.

Classes at the Library at 14744 Thompson Ave., Thompsonville, MI 49683.

The fee is $75.00 for the entire course.

A syllabus will be available at the Library when you register.

Please call the library or stop in person to register.
Questions, please call 231-378-2716.

A Guided Winter Trek, Hot Cocoa, and a Flavor of History in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Discover Port Oneida’s past on snow-covered paths with your history guide. Your adventure begins and ends at the historic Olsen House where after a gentle trek, you will gather in the kitchen for a hot cocoa bar with all the fixings, and warm cookies, using Hattie Olsen’s own recipe. Visit this cozy, charming home during the winter season and get a unique snowy view of the Olsen farmstead and surrounding landscapes.

If conditions do not allow for snowshoeing, we will take a winter hike. Bring your own snowshoes and a change of shoes for inside the Olsen House.

This event is for adults and children over 12. This is a free event and donations are welcome. Registration is requested so we can prepare enough cocoa and bake enough cookies!