We’re passionate about caring for the ecosystems in Grand Rapids parks. Biodiversity is good for the environment, native wildlife, and park users, too.
We’re passionate about conservation work in urban areas—healthy park ecosystems are good for human health. When our parks are healthy, we are, too. Parks are also a crucial stopover point for migratory species, like birds, bats, and butterflies. These creatures are most vulnerable during migration. Cities, including Grand Rapids, are islands of cement; our parks are vital oases where species find food and shelter as they make their journey.
Invasive species kill native trees in particular by strangling them, out-competing them for nutrients and resources, and releasing toxins into the ground that negatively affect native trees. In fact, when garlic mustard (an invasive plant) becomes pervasive, the trees around it show smaller growth rings. Bittersweet is notorious for strangling mature trees. Conservation work makes sure these trees and plants have what they need to thrive in our parks for years to come.
Invasive plants are the greatest threat to our native habitats with our public park lands. They dominate natural landscapes, increasing erosion, destroying habitat, spreading communicable diseases, and harming native wildlife. We work with and train volunteers to remove the most devastating invasive species in Grand Rapids parks. Removing invasive species in Grand Rapids parks gives native species the ability to grow, local fauna to thrive, and even reduce park maintenance costs.
Native plants are the foundation of our Grand Rapids parks’ ecosystems. Having diverse native plants and trees provides habitat for the wildlife that live in our parks. In partnership with Plaster Creek Stewards, FGRP is planting 100+ locally sourced native species cultivated in PCS’s greenhouse. Protecting and planting native plants restores the natural history of the area—something that is deeply important to us as we incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into how we steward public spaces.
Native flower gardens and rain gardens make parks beautiful and welcoming, absorbing and filtering rain water runoff, supporting local pollinators like monarchs, and reducing long-term maintenance by reducing the need for mowing. The best thing we can do for our native flower gardens is maintain them! We equip residents with tools, information, and financial resources they need to maintain the native garden features in their local parks.
Monitoring how the land responds to conservation work is one of the most important parts of land management. We work with volunteers to monitor different species and habitats in Grand Rapids Parks, which gives us an accurate and ongoing understanding of the impact of our work. With this data, we adapt our management as the ecosystem responds.
Help conserve the natural ecosystems in Grand Rapids Parks and build connections with your neighbors! We spend two hours in the woods in different parks, doing targeted work based on each park’s needs. During the winter, we focus on invasive species removal, and during the warmer months, invasive removal and native plantings. Workdays are informational and we provide all the tools and education you need to not only complete the various tasks at hand, but learn more about local ecosystems as well.
If you want to continue the work we do during conservation workdays independently, become a Neighborhood Conservationist! Like our Neighborhood Forester program, earn your Neighborhood Conservationist certification by attending two classes, a field day, and a conservation workday. Certified Neighborhood Conservationists can complete independent conservation work in approved city parks, although we encourage anyone who enjoys learning about conservation and ecology to attend!
We regularly host conservation workdays with schools, religious groups, and corporate teams. If you’d like to contribute to park conservation efforts with your group, please contact us.
