Next month, the Traverse City Young Professionals (TCYP) will wrap up its 2024 Morning Meetup Speaker Series. On December 5 at 8:30 a.m. ET, Reb Ratliff, a parklands steward with the Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD), will highlight the critical efforts GTCD undertakes to protect and maintain the region’s natural areas. Ratliff also will share how GTCD volunteers contribute to the community, along with insights into upcoming projects and events planned for 2025 and beyond.
In anticipation of the Morning Meetup, we spoke with Ratliff about his background and career, ways young professionals (YPs) can get involved in GTCD’s year-round volunteer opportunities, details on the Brown Bridge Quiet Area expansion and more.
Tell us about your background and how you got involved with GTCD.
Ratliff: My love for science led me to take every possible science class offered at my high school, which helped me get accepted in the Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University. After graduating, I traveled the country and worked temporary seasonal jobs for several different organizations, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in North Dakota, the Columbia Land Trust in Washington, the Salcha-Delta Soil & Water Conservation District in Alaska and The Nature Conservancy in Oregon. My current job with GTCD is what brought me back to Northern Michigan, where I was born and raised, in 2013. During that time, the Boardman River dam removal project was just getting underway, and I was very excited to help with the restoration.
Tell us about GTCD and some of the work the district does to protect and maintain some of Northern Michigan’s beautiful natural areas.
Ratliff: Based out of the Boardman River Nature Center, GTCD is a community-serving organization that cares for the people and places that make Northwest Michigan so special. We fulfill our mission through the following ways:
- Conservation: GTCD believes it is vitally important for all people to have the opportunity to access and explore our rivers, lakes and forests, and learn how to properly care for these complex and ever-changing landscapes. We recognize that healthy, vibrant natural areas are the centerpiece of our local economy and overall way of life.
- Education: GTCD crafts nature-based experiences that connect children, adults and families with the natural world through the Boardman River Nature Center and its programs. These experiences not only enrich our quality of life but also empower individuals to play a personal role in protecting the natural resources that make our region special.
- Agriculture: GTCD works hand in hand with hundreds of local farmers through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, Produce Safety Program and Transition to Organic Program to help implement conservation practices that safeguard our natural resources, while simultaneously providing healthy, high-quality agricultural products to our community and beyond. Our work with local agricultural producers continues to keep our groundwater clean, soils productive and farm community vibrant.
- Boardman-Ottaway River Stewardship: GTCD models sustainable land management practices by caring for, restoring and providing public access to 3,000 acres of the region’s most treasured natural landscapes along the Boardman-Ottaway River and throughout Grand Traverse County.
Around this time last year, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board approved a $2.3 million grant to expand the Brown Bridge Quiet Area by 528 acres. Tell us more about this exciting expansion and what it will entail.
Ratliff: The grant is helping fund the acquisition of two parcels of land, both adjacent to the Brown Bridge Quiet Area to the north: a private property surrounding Spring Lake and the southern portion of the former Camp Greilick property (the northern portion was recently acquired by Grand Traverse County). The Brown Bridge Advisory Committee, together with GTCD staff, is currently working on management objectives and trail plans for these areas.
The Spring Lake property features high-quality habitat, requiring careful management to protect local flora and fauna. Meanwhile, the former Camp Greilick property, in coordination with the county’s northern portion, is being considered for more active recreational uses, such as biking trails and groomed ski trails in the winter. On-the-ground management efforts will begin once the city of Traverse City assumes ownership of the properties, which is anticipated between late spring and early summer.
GTCD offers several volunteer opportunities. What are some of those opportunities, and how can YPs get involved?
Ratliff: GTCD offers various volunteer opportunities throughout the year including planting native tree seedlings during conservation workbees, trail monitoring, assistance with environmental education programming and events, helping with our native gardens and more. Visit natureiscalling.org/events for upcoming planting events or natureiscalling.org/volunteer for other volunteer opportunities.
GTCD has some fun events coming up such as the wreath-making workshops and winter hikes. Tell us about those events and how YPs can participate.
Ratliff: GTCD’s December wreath-making and centerpiece workshops are designed to help participants kick off the holiday season. These DIY experiences allow you to create a beautiful wreath to hang on your door or centerpiece to display in your home. Wreath form, a mix of fresh evergreens, ribbon, instructions and tools will be provided. Attendees will take home their gorgeous wreath or centerpiece at the end of the workshop.
Our Winter Solstice Lantern-lit Hike on December 15 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. ET invites participants to enjoy the full moon and celebrate the winter solstice by walking a lantern-lit trail on the Natural Education Reserve. If the weather permits, a limited number of snowshoes also will be available.
For more events, details, dates and registration, please visit: natureiscalling.org/events.
What do you hope TCYP members take away from your Morning Meetup discussion?
Ratliff: GTCD’s work of inspiring exploration, appreciation and conservation of our natural world would not be possible without the time, talents and encouragement of our volunteers. By volunteering with GTCD, you become an integral part of our organization. You are ambassadors of our work—you are our inspiration.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Ratliff: Get involved with GTCD by volunteering, attending an event, visiting one of our managed parklands or donating! Visit natureiscalling.org to learn more.
Interested in learning more? Join us at TCYP’s December Morning Meetup held on December 5 at 8:30 a.m. ET at Traverse Connect in Downtown Traverse City.
