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 […]
10 Ways to Enjoy Grand Rapids Parks in Winter
It might be winter, but you still belong out here! Winter is one of our favorite seasons to enjoy Grand Rapids’ amazing parks. All you need is a little creativity (and some thick socks). 1. Go on a Bird Hike at Mackay Jaycees Park Bird hikes are one of our favorite ways to appreciate the […]
What Conservation Work Can You Do in Winter?
Here at Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, we love cold weather. Why? Because there’s always work to be done and sometimes, snow makes that work a little easier—especially when it comes to conservation. The Friends conservation program manages biodiversity in Grand Rapids’ parks and green spaces. This includes living organisms like trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, […]
Aman Park Scores “Rare, Significant Example of Michigan’s Native Biodiversity” on Floristic Quality Index Assessment
In a 2025 Floristic Quality Index (FQI) conducted by Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and Calvin University’s Emma Cole Project, Aman Park achieved a score of 82. This high score indicates Aman Park is a botanically significant site, achieved through years of dedicated invasive species removal and habitat preservation work by students and volunteers. “We’ve […]
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? […]
Identifying Beneficial & Harmful Insects
Learning how to identify beneficial and harmful insects can help you understand their role in our ecosystem, develop proper management systems, and prevent unnecessary harm to plant life and beneficial insects. Let’s dig in! Beneficial Insects 1. Ground Beetles – Carabidae There are about 2,000 different species of ground beetles in North America and 450 […]
The Emma Cole Project: Creating a Botanical Inventory of Grand Rapids Parks
This past summer, a team from Calvin University partnered with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks to set out to continue the legacy of an inspiring local botanist, Emma Jane Cole. Students Erin Taylor, Charlie Baumeister, and Grace Langeland—under the guidance of Dr. Garrett Crow and Dr. David Warners—conducted botanical inventories at twelve local parks, documenting […]
The Soccer Rebellion: GR Takeover Tournament
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and The Soccer Rebellion Unveil The Grand Rapids Takeover Tournament: Igniting America’s True Soccer Identity
Tips for Hiking Park Trails
November 17 is National Hiking Day, so this month we are highlighting hiking on trails in our parks as a way to get outside and connect with nature. So here are some tips for getting out on the trails! where to go and how to get there: Here are a few hikes for first timers that […]
The #ParkChallenge with Nate
The City of Grand Rapids manages 76 parks, and there are even more within city limits! With such a large number, one would think it unfathomable to visit them all nearly impossible to visit them all! Our friend and fellow park-lover Nate Rauh-Bieiri set out to do just that! Here are his thoughts having completed […]