Upcoming Events
The Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy has many exciting programs for families, friends, and community members to enjoy throughout the year. All GINLC programs are free to the public,
To stay informed look for us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GINLC.GI, Instagram.com/ginlc, or sign up for our email list.

Saturday, January 14, 2023: Winter Waterfowl ID Walk @ Sunrise Park co-facilitated with Detroit Audubon
1-2:30 p.m.
Are you interested in learning to identify your winter waterfowl? Join us for our Winter Waterfowl ID Walk on Grosse Ile in partnership with Detroit Audubon.
Join us as we explore Sunrise Park, review some bird identification tips and common species, and look through scopes as we search for winter waterfowl along the Detroit River. It is usually cold, so be sure to dress warmly.
We'll park and meet in the gravel parking lot behind the GI History Society Depot Museum & Custom House 25020 East River Road.
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Saturday, February 11: Winter Tree ID @ Meridian Woods. Eastside of Meridian Road across from Meridian Elementary School, Grosse Ile.
1-2:30 p.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy for a winter walk. We’ll learn some of our common native trees and shrubs and look for animal tracks and signs.
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Saturday, March 11, 2023: Signs of Spring @ Meridian Woods Eastside of Meridian Road across from Meridian Elementary School, Grosse Ile.
1-2:30 p.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy naturalists for an early spring walk. Early spring signs are everywhere- from early arriving birds to the first amphibians breaking winter hibernation.
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Dr. Bruce Jones Memorial Scholarship - Deadline
Grosse Ile High School seniors can apply for this scholarship by writing about their experiences working to protect our natural environment. Graduating seniors should contact the GIHS Counseling Office for information and to apply. Students can complete some community service hours to protect our natural environment and then write about their experiences on the scholarship application.
www.ginlc.org/bruce-jones-scholarship for more information.
Saturday, April 22, 2023 - Earth Day - Island Cleanup Stewardship Event– 10:00-Noon. (April 29 – Rain date)
Resource Center 8801 Macomb St. Grosse Ile.
Take some action to help the planet on Earth Day. Please volunteer with GINLC in this Kiwanis-sponsored event as we clean up our GINLC preserves.
GINLC.gi@gmail.com for more information.
Sunday, May 7, 2023: Migratory Bird Walk @ Airport Natural Area. 28820 East River Rd, Grosse Ile
8-9:30 a.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy naturalists for this spring walk focused on the peak week for arriving songbirds! We’ll look and listen to warblers, thrushes, vireos, tanagers, and more. No birding experience is required, though if you own binoculars, please bring them along.
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Sunday, May 7, 2023- Sunday, October 29, 2023 – Hike in Airport Natural Area Enter at 28820 East River Rd, Grosse Ile, 1-4 pm GINLC hosts will be available to open the trails of the Airport Natural Area every Sunday from May to October. Spend a few hours enjoying the trails, ponds, bays, lookouts, and woods of this hidden gem.
Thursday, May 11, 2023. Take it Outside Photo Contest. (Deadline)
The Grosse Ile Nature & Land Conservancy invites High School students to participate in the Nature & Wildlife Photo Contest!
We are searching for photos captured locally (within Wayne, Washtenaw, and Monroe Counties) that inspire us to appreciate and steward our environment: air, water, land, wildlife, resources, and ecosystems.
2022/2023 Categories
Dusk to Dawn
Fur and Feathers
Bark and Blooms
Entries will be judged by category with winners receiving: $50 for 1st place, $40 for 2nd place and $25 for 3rd place in each category. A single Grand Prize overall winner will receive $100.
https://www.ginlc.org/photo-contest
Sunday, June 11, 2023: Woods walk @ Meridian Woods Eastside of Meridian Road across from Meridian Elementary School, Grosse Ile.
1-2:30 p.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy naturalists for a guided walk through the woods. We’ll look for spring wildflowers, and nesting birds, and enjoy the bustle of animal activity after a quiet winter.
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Sunday, July 9, 2023: Butterflies of Grosse Ile Walk @ Airport Natural Area. 28820 East River Rd, Grosse Ile
1-2:30 p.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy for a guided hike focused on butterflies. We’ll look for butterflies and their host plants and learn how to use native plants to attract them to our own yards and gardens, too.
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Saturday, August 12, 2023: Lovely Lotus walk @ Airport Natural Area. 28820 East River Rd, Grosse Ile
1-2:30 p.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy for a guided hike to the lotus beds in Gibraltar Bay. This time of year, the flowers should be in peak bloom.
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Saturday, September. 9, 2023: Twilight Hike @ Airport Natural Area. 28820 East River Rd, Grosse Ile
7-8:30 p.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy for a guided hike at twilight. We’ll bring a bat detector to help us locate and identify bats and look for signs of other nocturnal wildlife, too!
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Sunday, October 1, 2023, Take It Outside High School Photo Contest (2023-2024) Starts. –
See www.ginlc.org/photo-contest to enter and for more information.
Sunday, October 29, 2023: Nature of Halloween @ Airport Natural Area. 28820 East River Rd, Grosse Ile
1-2:30 p.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy for a guided hike focused on the nature of Halloween! We’ll explore some myths and misunderstandings about our “creepiest” Michigan plants and animals.
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Saturday, November 4, 2023 GINLC Annual Membership Meeting. – Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club. 9339 Bellevue Grosse Ile, MI. Doors open at 10:00. Meeting starts at 10:30 am- Noon.
Saturday, November 11, 2023: Owl Prowl @ Resource Center 8801 Macomb St. Grosse Ile
6-7:30 p.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy for our most popular program of the year – the annual Owl Prowl. We’ll learn about Michigan’s owls and then take a hike to listen to their calls.
GINLC.education@gmail.com for information.
Sunday, December. 10, 2023: Winter Sowing for Native Plants @ Resource Center 8801 Macomb St. Grosse Ile
1-2:30 p.m.
Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy for a winter sowing workshop. We’ll provide a variety of seeds of native plants and show you this simple technique for overwintering these plants outdoors. Comes spring, you’ll have some native plants ready to add to your garden.
All GINLC programs are free to the public, but your donations make them possible. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
There are several stewardship volunteer opportunities throughout the year, including most Monday mornings. To stay informed look for us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GINLC.GI or sign up for our email list.

