Cultural & Natural Resources
A constant throughout the life of The River Outfitters, and still today, is an understanding that we are stewards of our natural and cultural resources. Our duty is to protect these resources for future generations while also sharing them appropriately and responsibly. By sharing them in a way that makes people want to protect them and come back and spend more time enjoying them, we achieve both goals.
The Boardman – A River Reborn – website with information about the 160 miles of river and tributary streams in the 287-square mile Boardman River watershed which one-third of the water volume of Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City and drains 182,800 acres of land. This site also explains the dam removal project that is underway to restore the Boardman to its wild state! See below.
Grand Traverse Conservation District – is a community-serving organization that cares for the people and places that make Northwest Michigan so special. The GTCD has been working for over 70 years to keep local farms sustainable, the Boardman River healthy, parklands accessible, and get children outdoors. Stewardship, Education, Parklands and Agriculture are their four pillars for creating a sustainable Grand Traverse Region.
Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center – This Museum and Cultural Center was created by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to establish, gather, interpret, and maintain a record of the history of the Grand Traverse Band of Anishinaabek.
Boardman River Nature Center – located along the Boardman very close to our rental headquarters! The Nature Center offers an interpretive gallery and rotating exhibits that change with the seasons. The displays in the Center and in the 505-acre living laboratory encourage interaction and feature Michigan’s most interesting fauna and flora.
Boardman River Cleanup – this group holds regular clean-ups of the Boardman River and focus on stewardship of the river and stream valley. The 14th Annual Boardman River Clean Sweep will be held Saturday May 26, 2018
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy – the Conservancy has protected and cared for the region’s natural, scenic, farm and forest lands.
Oryana Natural Food Market – some great organizations! Northern Michigan’s only certified organic retailer committed to good food, including locally produced products. Oryana was the first food co-op in the country to be designated a Certified Organic Retailer. Located just off the Boardman Lake and trail, they have a café with indoor and outdoor seating, serve soups, sandwiches, salads, snacks, cold and hot teas, coffee drinks and are a full-service grocery store.
This one-hour documentary, The Ottaway – A River Reborn, explores the history and future of humanity’s relationship with the Boardman River. Through the hearts of minds of over 30 various stakeholders, a story unfolds about the challenges of turning back the hands of time by removing the three upper dams and modifying a fourth to once again connect the region’s major cold water river with the waters of Lake Michigan.
The Ottaway, A River Reborn from Into the Outdoors on Vimeo.
Three-dimensional animated virtual tour of FishPass. The computer model was generated from engineering design plans and landscape details. The site is also populated with people and kayakers to demonstrate future uses of the site.
