Community Calendar

Round up the family and head out to Coy Mountain, located at 9011 Valley St. in Alden, to enjoy a romp in the woods and reading a good book along the way.

A new story will be placed each month and covers about a 1/2-mile portion of the trail. Open daily from dawn to dusk. The storybook for the month of June is “The Home Builders” by Varsha Bajaj. Sponsored by Alden District Library

About This Event
Help us restore and protect the incredible ecosystems on our protected lands in Benzie and Manistee counties by aiding in invasive plant removal! Native wildflowers, mushrooms, trees, and shrubs that rely on these healthy habitats are currently under threat of being displaced by aggressive invasive plants.

The Basics:

GTRLC supplies all tools necessary for the work being done. We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, and the importance of the work you will be doing. No experience necessary - just come ready to learn something new! This activity is moderately strenuous, with volunteers often bending and kneeling to pull, cut or pile plants. Oftentimes we will be hiking for one to two miles to get to a worksite. Porta johns are available at some trailheads in this area, but not all. There is no drinking water available on site.

Registration is appreciated but is not required. Cancellations due to weather or any other reason will be communicated with registered participants via email.

Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact Erica DesJardins at edesjardins@gtrlc.org or 231-929-7911 (ext. 316).

For more information about volunteer events, what to bring and locations, please visit our website here.

Join us for Outdoor Story Time! Outside the library, overlooking the beach. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on.
These story times are geared toward pre-k to second graders and their caregivers, but fun for all who attend!

Rain site is the library’s lower level Community Room.

Pack a picnic and enjoy live local music at Pennsylvania Park during Crooked Tree Arts Center’s summer Concerts in the Park series, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon – 1 pm.

About This Event
Join GTRLC and the Invasive Species Network as we work to remove invasive baby's breath from Elberta Beach in Benzie County! Spreading easily over northwest Michigan's beaches and dunes, baby's breath crowds out vulnerable native plants and degrades important habitat.

The Basics:

GTRLC and ISN supply gloves and tools. We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, and the importance of the work you will be doing. No experience necessary, just come ready to learn something new! This is a moderately strenuous activity, with volunteers often bending and kneeling to dig out plants. There are porta johns available at the parking area.

Registration is appreciated but is not required. Cancellations due to weather or any other reason will be communicated with registered participants via email.

Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact Erica DesJardins at edesjardins@gtrlc.org or 231-929-7911 (ext. 316).

For more information about volunteer events, what to bring and locations, please visit our website here.

About This Event
Help us build a brand new trail system at The Ridge! Join us for this work session and get a sneak peek of a property that’s not yet open to the public. Volunteers will help protect the valuable habitat on this property by constructing sustainable and strategically-planned sections of trail. This will create access and help guide future use on this property while protecting the most vulnerable parts of the special habitats found here.

The Basics:

GTRLC will supply gloves and tools. We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, and trail maintenance. No prior experience necessary! This will be a moderately strenuous work session, with volunteers carrying and using hefty trail tools. Participants will be hiking up to 2 miles of trail at a moderate pace. Lighter tasks such as vegetation trimming with loppers will be available.

Registration is appreciated but is not required. Cancellations due to weather or any other reason will be communicated with registered participants via email.

Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact Erica DesJardins at edesjardins@gtrlc.org or 231-929-7911 (ext. 316).

For more information about volunteer events, what to bring and locations, please visit our website here.

About This Event
Join GTRLC and the Invasive Species Network as we work to remove invasive baby's breath from Elberta Beach in Benzie County! Spreading easily over northwest Michigan's beaches and dunes, baby's breath crowds out vulnerable native plants and degrades important habitat.

The Basics:

GTRLC and ISN supply gloves and tools. We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, and the importance of the work you will be doing. No experience necessary, just come ready to learn something new! This is a moderately strenuous activity, with volunteers often bending and kneeling to dig out plants. There are porta johns available at the parking area.

Registration is appreciated but is not required. Cancellations due to weather or any other reason will be communicated with registered participants via email.

Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact Erica DesJardins at edesjardins@gtrlc.org or 231-929-7911 (ext. 316).

For more information about volunteer events, what to bring and locations, please visit our website here.

About This Event
Help us give GTRLC’s trails some TLC! Join us for a workday tackling a variety of tasks aimed to improve and maintain the incredible habitats and access to nature that Yuba Creek Natural Area provides. We will make sure this well-loved trail is in tip top shape going into the summer season.

The Basics:

GTRLC will supply gloves and tools. We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, and trail maintenance. No prior experience necessary! Most of this session will involve trimming vegetation in the trail corridor and clearing the tread of sticks and branches. Participants will be hiking up to 2 miles of trail at a moderate pace.

Directions: Please meet us at the Yuba Creek Natural Area US-31 trailhead/parking area. You can find a maps link to our meeting location here.

For more information about volunteer events, what to bring and locations, please visit our website here.

Join us at the Old Baldy Trailhead at Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve for our annual dune wildflower hike! Volunteer Paula Dreeszen will share her knowledge and passion for native dune plants with spectacular views of Lake Michigan as the backdrop.

The Basics

This is a 2.5 mile hike with gradual elevation change on mostly firm trails. There is one steep climb up to Old Baldy–a beloved perched dune with panoramic views of Lake Michigan. Wildflowers you may see along the trail include Wood Lily, Pitcher’s Thistle, Sand Coreopsis, Hairy Puccoon and Common Milkweed, which is essential for the monarch caterpillar.

Before the hike, feel free to check out our Dune Wildflowers Guide.

What should I bring?
-Sturdy, close-toed shoes recommended.
-Consider bringing your camera or binoculars, a reusable water bottle, and snacks.
-Dress for the weather! Always check the forecast in advance.
-Sunscreen and bug spray for your safety and comfort.

Registration is required. Cancellations due to weather or other reasons will be emailed to registered participants.

Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact us at (231) 929-7911 or info@gtrlc.org.

About This Event
Join us at the Old Baldy Trailhead at Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve for our annual dune wildflower hike! Volunteer Paula Dreeszen will share her knowledge and passion for native dune plants with spectacular views of Lake Michigan as the backdrop.

The Basics

This is a 2.5 mile hike with gradual elevation change on mostly firm trails. There is one steep climb up to Old Baldy–a beloved perched dune with panoramic views of Lake Michigan. Wildflowers you may see along the trail include Wood Lily, Pitcher’s Thistle, Sand Coreopsis, Hairy Puccoon and Common Milkweed, which is essential for the monarch caterpillar.

Before the hike, feel free to check out our Dune Wildflowers Guide.

Registration is required. Cancellations due to weather or other reasons will be emailed to registered participants.

Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact us at (231) 929-7911 or info@gtrlc.org.