Sep 25 Friday
The Fall Women’s Retreat (rescheduled from July) will be held September 25 - 27 on Earthwork Farm. Facilitated by Lisa Franseen, Kelly Kieft and Ashley Murray, women are invited to join us as we seek to connect with one another, the Earth and our inner selves.
It is a rare gift we can give ourselves, to put aside our many roles and make space for oneself. Imagine having uninterrupted time to share your own story, knowing you will be heard and honored.
Together we will engage in “whole-body” participation - sharing our stories, listening deeply to other’s experiences, spending focused time in nature, indulging in something creative, lightly facilitated group discussions, perhaps guided meditation and movement, readings, journaling, and reflective stillness amongst the trees.
When women gather in this way, empowerment happens! With one another’s unconditional support, our authentic selves can emerge and guide us closer toward the life we are here to live, one in line with our values, our heart, and our purpose.
Join us for “Conservation After Hours!” This partnership event with Greater Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce, Little Traverse Conservancy, Mackinaw Area Historical Society, and Headlands International Dark Sky Park will begin at Heritage Village near the pavilion (ample parking is available).
A Conservancy guide will offer a hike along the Tip of the Mitt Trail to Little Traverse Conservancy’s Hathaway property, and back, where there will be snacks and refreshments at the Heritage Village Pavilion.
Afterward, at 8pm, participants are invited to continue for the Headlands Full Moon Hike, which the Headlands team will lead participants down the Frog Pond trail/Tip of the Mitt trail under the light of the full moon.
Address to Heritage Village: 1425 W Central Ave, Mackinaw City
For information about this and other events, please visit our website.
Sep 26 Saturday
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 September is “How Chipmunk Got His Stripes” by Joseph Bruchac & James Bruchac. Sponsored by Alden District Library.
Come help plant native plugs at Pyatt Lake: The Bill Carls Nature Preserve! Volunteers will learn about and take an active part in the Conservancy’s ongoing habitat restoration projects by assisting with planting native flowering plants and grasses grown in GTRLC’s very own greenhouse.
For more information about this event, please click here.
Directions: Please meet us at the Pyatt Lake parking area (https://maps.app.goo.gl/9p5xyCQi5tsxdbQx5) located on Peninsula Drive.
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).
Sep 27 Sunday
Sep 28 Monday
This gentle movement practice brings peace and tranquility to your day and moves energy and circulation in the body, helping ease pain and strengthen our muscles, joints, bones and spirits.
Led by instructor Flora Biancalana, this class is very approachable for all experience and mobility levels. The class is done standing, or in a chair, and does not require any special equipment or ability.
Suggested Donation: $10/class
Oct 01 Thursday
Join us for a culminating hike that brings to life the themes of our 2026 Priority Landscape Learning Series, and be among the first to walk the newly-built trails before they open to the public in 2027.
At the newly-protected Ridge, a 312-acre property that was identified as one of the region’s highest-priority landscapes for protection, GTRLC’s experts will guide you through this stunning proposed nature preserve that will protect water quality, provide critical wildlife habitat and offer exceptional potential for recreation.
Nestled between Four and Five Mile Roads, The Ridge’s wetlands and creeks feed into the Mitchell Creek and East Bay Shoreline watersheds—filtering and protecting water that flows into East Grand Traverse Bay, a primary drinking water source for more than 40,000 residents and countless visitors. It hosts diverse habitats, including the rare perched rich conifer swamp, relic oak-pine savanna and wooded dune-swale complex, all providing essential food and shelter for wildlife that rely on this unique ecosystem. From the top, take in an unparalleled view of Traverse City and Grand Traverse Bay.
Parking is limited; please carpool when possible.
This event is part of our 2026 Priority Landscapes Learning Series.
Oct 03 Saturday
Oct 05 Monday