Introducing Our New Neighborhood Conservationist Program

There’s a new class series from Friends of Grand Rapids Parks in town…Introducing the Neighborhood Conservationist program! A companion program to our Neighborhood Forester classes, the Neighborhood Conservationist classes are a great way to learn about the natural world, invasive species, and get certified to do independent volunteer work in certain Grand Rapids parks. Ready […]

How to Leave Your Leaves this Fall (and When to Rake Them Up)

Leaving your fallen leaves, rather than ranking them up, offers natural benefits to your yard and the wildlife that calls it home! When you don’t rake your leaves, you’re giving invertebrates a place to nest, which provides backyard birds a food source. Plus, when the leaves break down, their nutrients go back into the soil. […]

Spring Tree Care Tips

The weather is warming up, and the trees are coming out of dormancy! They’ve got a long growing season ahead of them when they’ll be working hard to build up and store resources to get them through next winter. Here are some tips to help you get your trees ready for the starting gate. As […]

What are invasive species?

An invasive species is a non-native species and whose introduction harms or is likely to harm the environment, human health, or the economy. The economic damage, found in a 2021 study by NeoBiota67 (link to study), estimated that invasive species have cost North America over $26 billion annually since 2010. Are all non-native species harmful? […]