Almanac

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.

Help us restore and protect the incredible ecosystems of Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve through invasive plant removal! Native wildflowers, mushrooms, trees, and shrubs that rely on this healthy habitat are currently under threat of being displaced by aggressive invasive plants.

GTRLC will supply gloves and tools. Our team will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, and invasive species identification and removal. No prior experience is necessary - just come ready to learn something new! This activity is moderately strenuous, with volunteers often bending and kneeling to pull or dig out plants.

There is access to restrooms and drinking water at this site.

What we recommend bringing:

Dress for the weather! Always check the forecast in advance
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes that can handle some mud
Bring a reusable water bottle and some snacks
Sunscreen and bug spray for your safety and comfort
Your favorite pair of work gloves, if preferred

Please meet us by the greenhouse/workshop area near the Conservation Center at Mitchell Creek Meadows Nature Preserve.

The Guided Walking History Tours of Traverse City will begin its tenth season on July 9th, following the National Cherry Festival.

The informative tour is about two and a half hours covering a two-mile route. The tours begin at the Perry Hannah Plaza, located at the corner 6th and Union St. near downtown.

There is no charge for the tours, but gratuities for the guides are appreciated. Groups of six or more can schedule tours at other times.

For 2025 our 10:00 AM walking tours begin on Wednesday July 9th and continue daily through October 8th. No reservations are needed, simply arrive by 10:00 AM please.

Help us give GTRLC’s trails some TLC! Meet with us at Upper Manistee Headwaters: The Milock Family Preserve to help tackle new problem areas, ranging from erosion to overgrown vegetation.

GTRLC will supply gloves and hand tools. We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, and trail building and maintenance. No prior experience necessary! This will be a moderately strenuous event, with tasks ranging from lopping overgrown vegetation to fixing areas of erosion on the trail. Participants should be prepared to hike up to two miles.

There are no bathrooms or drinking water available on site.

What will volunteers be doing:
Re-grading the trail bed with hand tools
Trimming vegetation to open sight lines
Other preserve maintenance tasks, including invasive species management, installing signage, etc

Please meet us at the trailhead/parking area for Upper Manistee Headwaters Preserve. A maps link to our meeting location can be found here.

Dress for the weather! Always check the forecast in advance
Sturdy, close-toed shoes that can handle some mud
Bring a reusable water bottle and some snacks
Sunscreen and bug spray for your safety and comfort
A pair of work gloves, if preferred - we will have extra available

The purpose of the East Bay Corners Farmers Market is to provide fresh and locally grown products, educate the public on the importance of farming best practices, promote local agriculturally based business development, forge partnerships with local farmers and community partners, and create a community gathering space at the Township Hall. East Bay Corners Farmers Market accepts SNAP/EBT benefits and also offers a Power of Produce program for kids ages 5-13. There is family-friendly programming throughout the summer including live music, food trucks, and family game nights. It is a great night out for the whole family.

The Market will open on June 5, 2025 and run until October 2, 2025. It will be held on Thursdays from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the Township Hall at 1965 N. 3 Mile Road Traverse City, MI 49696. More information about the East Bay Corners Farmers Market and other Food Security programs can be found on the East Bay Township website by visiting: https://eastbaytwp.org/residents/food_security.php

The Elk Rapids Farmers Market is brought to you by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. This Friday morning market offers a wide selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers and plants, baked goods, cheese, meats and fish, jams, maple syrup, local honey, coffee and tea, lavender products and so much more! In 2025, the Market is open every Friday from 8:00am to Noon from May 30th through October 3rd.

Teens and pre-teens plot a course to navigate their team through an orienteering challenge. Compasses and instruction provided. RSVP.

Birders of all experience levels will enjoy this four-part series, held the third Tuesday of May through August at 6:00 p.m. at the Mason County District Library - Ludington Branch.

May 20 - Birding & Bird Watching in Mason County with presenter Dave Dister of the Sable Dunes Audubon Society.

June 17 - Building a Backyard Wildlife Habitat with presenter Josh Shields of the Mason-Lake Conservation District.

July 15 - How to Photograph Birds with presenter Al Geist of the Mason County District Library

August 19 - Using Birding to Explore Arts, Humanities, and Ecological Urgency with Garth Sabo, professor at Michigan State University and Director, Center for Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities.

Join us for a walk along the universally accessible boardwalk at the Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve! Volunteer leader Paula Dreeszen will highlight the many marsh wildflowers during peak blooming and butterfly viewing times.

The Basics

The Arcadia Marsh is one of the most beautiful and diverse nature preserves under GTRLC’s umbrella. The universally accessible boardwalk allows users of all abilities to enjoy this iconic property and experience the unique flora and fauna that call this place home. This will be a relatively easy walk on flat, even terrain.

What should I bring?

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

Sturdy, close-toed shoes recommended

This is not a dog-friendly event

Registration is required as updates or cancellations will be communicated with registered participants via email. 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.

Field Trip, Arcadia Marsh - Register at www.gtrlc.org/recreation-events/events/
Attendance is limited. Location: GTRLC’s Arcadia Marsh property on M-22 in Arcadia
Join PIW and Leader Paula Dreeszen, GTRLC Steward, as she points out wildflowers at Arcadia Marsh
This is a universally accessible trail.