Grand Traverse Conservation District

10/07/2026

Our Fall Native Seedling Sale is on Saturday, October 24th from 10:00am - 2:00pm, outside at the Boardman River Nature Center!

This year we are featuring native Michigan conifers: jack pine, white pine, white spruce, black spruce, and red pine. We will also offer native perennial plants, including garden kits.

Highlighted species: Red Pine

Red pine (Pinus resinosa) is a fast-growing, long-lived tree that can reach heights of 50-80 feet. Shade-intolerant, red pine prefers full sun on a moist or dry site. It grows best on well-drained, sandy loam soil, making it an excellent tree for reforestation of poor, sandy sites. Red pine is straight-stemmed and self-pruning; it sheds dead branches, tending to leave older trees with very long lengths of branchless trunk below the canopy.

Learn more about the Fall Seedling Sale at www.natureiscalling.org/fall-seedling-sale

10/05/2026

Stop by Nocturnal Bloom on Tuesday, October 6th from 5:00 - 7:00pm to say hello to District staff and pick up a “I ♡ GTCD” sign to show your love of local conservation.

Enjoy a fall evening with a beverage from Nocturnal Brewing, food from Acorn Kitchen, and the company of District Staff.

10/05/2026

Voting is open now– October 31st for Oryana Community Co-op Groceries For Good and we’d love your vote for the Great Lakes Incubator Farm- GLIFkes Incubator Farm - Friends of the Grand Traverse Conservation District!

Place your vote now for the Great Lakes Incubator Farm to be chosen for Oryana's Grocereis For Good Program.....https://oryana.coop/community/groceries-for-good/

Help GLIF Get Selected for Oryana’s Groceries For Good Program! 🌱

Voting is open October 1–31, and we’d love your vote for the Great Lakes Incubator Farm - Friends of the Grand Traverse Conservation District

Oryana’s Groceries For Good program supports local nonprofits through shopper round-ups at checkout and a monthly day when 2% of sales at both Oryana stores is donated to the selected organization. Twelve organizations will be selected for the 2027 program.

Why vote for GLIF?

🌱 Training the next generation of farmers
🥕 Growing fresh food for our community
🌎 Building healthy soil and a stronger local food system

Your vote helps GLIF keep growing!

10/02/2026

The Grand Traverse Conservation District Through the Years: Week 8!

Throwback to 2021, when GTCD staff assisted with maintenance efforts at Power Island. Staff cleared multiple large trees that had fallen over the trails following high-wind storm events, and replaced aged rooftops over two of the Island’s restroom facilities. Power Island Caretaker, Fred Tank, said he’s never seen so many downed trees in his 30+ years on the Island.

The 200-acre Island, owned by Grand Traverse County, is located within West Grand Traverse Bay and maintains over 5 miles of trails and 10 backcountry-style campsites.

Learn more about Power Island at gtcounty.gov

09/30/2026

Our Fall Native Seedling Sale is on Saturday, October 24th from 10:00am - 2:00pm, outside at the Boardman River Nature Center!

This year we are featuring native Michigan conifers: jack pine, white pine, white spruce, black spruce, and red pine. We will also offer native perennial plants, including garden kits.

Highlighted species: White Spruce

White Spruce (Picea glauca) is a slow-growing, long-lived tree that may reach heights of 75 feet with a crown width of 20-30 feet. It is straight-stemmed and narrow-crowned. White spruce is moderately shade tolerant, but grows best in full sun. It does best on moist or dry sites, on clay, sand, or loamy soils, but prefers well-drained soil. The understory of older trees is often dominated by feather mosses and peat moss.

Learn more about the Fall Seedling Sale at www.natureiscalling.org/fall-seedling-sale

09/28/2026

Our Fall Native Seedling Sale is on Saturday, October 24th from 10:00am - 2:00pm, outside at the Boardman River Nature Center!

This year we are featuring native Michigan conifers: jack pine, white pine, white spruce, black spruce, and red pine. We will also offer native perennial plants, including garden kits.

Highlighted species: Jack Pine

The hardy jack pine (Pinus banksiana) prefers dry sandy soils and can grow as large as 60 feet in height. It is hardy to drought and poor soils. When grown singly, it grows in a decidedly not-straight manner, with a curving trunk and cascading branches. Stands of jack pine grow in a more typical “pine tree” shape. Stands of trees composed primarily of jack pines are crucial habitat for the Kirtland’s warbler, a bird that nests only in Michigan. The tree also supports many other birds and mammals, which eat seeds and the insects that feed on the tree.

Learn more about the Fall Seedling Sale at www.natureiscalling.org/fall-seedling-sale

09/25/2026

The Grand Traverse Conservation District Through the Years: Week 7!

Throwback to 2020, when three 24-foot timber footbridges were installed within Grand Traverse County’s Natural Education Reserve bottomlands, along the eastern banks of the Boardman-Ottaway River. Spanning key tributaries, these structures were designed to safeguard local water quality and promote long-term trail sustainability.

Across the river on the western side, another timber bridge was constructed over Robbins Creek, accompanied by roughly 270 feet of newly updated boardwalk infrastructure.

Project materials were made possible through grant funding generously provided by the Traverse City Track Club.

09/22/2026

Grab your bug nets, magnifying glasses, and binoculars; it’s the first day of fall!

Did you know that September 22nd is the Fall Equinox?

At GTCD, Fall means the start of school field trips, Peepers Program, and upcoming autumnal events.

Enjoy the late-blooming goldenrod and asters, pollinators, and the changing leaves during your next program with the Grand Traverse Conservation District.

Book a field trip, register for an upcoming event, or explore GTCD-managed parklands at www.natureiscalling.org (http://www.natureiscalling.org/) or click the link in our bio.