Hats & Horses Kentucky Derby Party- Benefits CRA
2025-05-03 15:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | Iron Fish Distillery, Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville, Michigan, 49683, United States
BUY TICKETS HERE

Iron Fish Distillery 8th Annual Hats & Horses Kentucky Derby and Fundraiser for Conservation Resource Alliance
The Two Most Exciting Minutes In Sports and BEST PARTY of the year is the Iron Fish Distillery 8th Annual Hats & Horses Kentucky Derby Party! Line up your pals, get your best hat and bow tie ready and come prepared for BIG fun and the chance to support a great cause—Hats and Horses is a fundraiser for the Conservation Resource Alliance

Saturday, May 3rd – 3:00-8:00 pm (21+ Only) Arrival Time 2:45 p.m.
Arrive on time, to size up the Parade of Horses and get an up-close look at this year’s contenders racing the Iron Fish Dirt Road Derby. Review pedigrees of this year’s racing field and make your pick among Benzie and Manistee County racing legends. The track rounds the bend of Dzuibanek Road with the finish line directly in front of the distillery. Following the race, celebrate the crowning of the winning horse and jockey with the Garland of Roses. That’s just the beginning!

Included with your ticket:-Event Admission-Two Delicious Derby Drinks (N/A options available)-Live Dirt Road Horse Race-Pre-Dinner Hors d’oeuvres-Southern Pig Roast with all the Fixins’-Yard Games-Hat & Bowtie Contest-Live Music | Bootstrap Boysand much, much more…

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FOR A GOOD CAUSE – Conservation Resource AllianceFor our 2025, 8th annual Dirt Road Derby, we could not be more proud to have Conservation Resource Alliance as our non-profit partner.

“It makes us so happy to welcome the Conservation Resource Association, (CRA) as our nonprofit partner for the 2025 Iron Fish Dirt Road Derby,” said Iron Fish Partner Sarah Anderson. CRA’s nearly 40 years of community-led watershed restoration including the Betsie River near Iron Fish Distillery has led to the revitalization of our region’s rivers and habitats and fully aligns with our core values and community support priorities.” -Sarah Anderson | Co-Founder Iron Fish Distillery

Grand Rapids Happy Hour @ The Winchester
2025-06-18 16:30 - 18:30 | The Winchester, 648 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) for a meet & greet happy hour in Grand Rapids. This gathering is an opportunity to meet our new Executive Director, Suzie Knoll, along with other members of the CRA team. Enjoy your first drink on us, along with light bites, as you connect with fellow conservation enthusiasts in the Grand Rapids area. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to CRA, we’d love to see you there.

Date: Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: The Winchester – 648 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Please RSVP by June 16th, 2025.

RSVP Here

Stony Creek Restoration: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
2025-08-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Marshville Dam County Park, 6075 W Marshville Dam Rd, Shelby, MI 49455, Shelby, 49455, United States
The West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC), Oceana County Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) invite the public to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the restoration of Stony Creek on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The event will be held at Marshville Dam Park in Shelby, where a long-blocked section of Stony Creek is now free-flowing once again.
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM (Speakers at 3:30, Ribbon Cutting at 4:00)
Location: Marshville Dam County Park: 6075 W Marshville Dam Rd, Shelby, MI 49455
Parking: Please carpool if possible. Parking will be available in the field directly across the street from Marshville Dam County Park.

RSVP HERE

The celebration marks the successful removal of the Marshville Dam and an undersized stream crossing on Marshville Dam Road, the restoration of natural stream flow, and the revitalization of critical in-stream and stream corridor habitat in Stony Creek. A universally accessible fishing platform and informative sign were also added, enhancing the site as a welcoming and educational community space.
This project exemplifies the power of collaboration between local communities, agencies, and nonprofit partners working together to protect and restore Michigan’s freshwater resources.
Speakers will begin at 3:30 PM, including:

Garry McKeen – Opening remarks & project background

John Wyns – Historical context of the site

Erin Kuhn (WMSRDC) – Dam removal & stream crossing replacement overview

Brian Majka (GEI Consultants) – Project design and construction details

DJ Shook (CRA) – Stream corridor restoration summary

Mark Tonello (Michigan DNR) – Wildlife and fisheries impact

The ribbon cutting will take place at approximately 4:00 PM.
Light refreshments will be served, including cookies and a variety of beverages.
This project represents a major investment in the future health of the Stony Creek watershed, enhancing habitat, improving fish passage, and contributing to the resilience of Michigan’s natural infrastructure.
All are welcome. Join us to celebrate this important milestone in restoring one of our region’s treasured streams.
For further information, please contact:
Tori Wolever
Engagement Specialist
Conservation Resource Alliance
(231) 974-2158/ tori@rivercare.org

Jerry Gates Art Exhibition
2025-12-05 16:00 - 18:00 | CRA Office, 10850 E Traverse Hwy #1180, Traverse City, MI, 49684, United States
Give the Gift of Art and Conservation This Holiday Season!
This holiday season, give a gift that celebrates the beauty of our natural world and helps protect it for generations to come.
Join us for the Jerry Gates Art Exhibition on Friday, December 5, from 4–6 p.m. at Conservation Resource Alliance’s (CRA) offices. This exhibition will unveil a remarkable collection donated by local artist, lifelong art teacher, avid fisherman, and dear friend of CRA, Jerry Gates. His life’s work, entrusted to CRA to support river conservation, reflects his deep connection to the beautiful waters and wild landscapes that we actively steward.
Every piece purchased directly supports CRA’s mission to restore and revitalize rivers and habitats in Northern Michigan through active community partnerships, focusing on sustained, boots-on-the-ground solutions for a healthy, resilient Great Lakes Region.
When you make a purchase, you’re not just bringing home a piece of fine art. You’re investing in the health and future of our region’s rivers, streams, and wildlife habitats.

RSVP HERE

About Jerry Gates:

The Confluence: Ludington
2026-04-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Ludington Bay Brewing Company, 515 S James St, Ludington, 49431, United States
The Confluence: LudingtonCelebrating CRA’s River Care projects—and the people who make them possible.
The Confluence is a series of Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) events held across our service region. Each gathering highlights local River Care projects—both ongoing and recently completed—while celebrating the supporters, partners, and community members who make this work possible.
Each Confluence event will offer a slightly different experience, reflecting the unique projects and communities in each region. Additional dates and locations will be announced soon. We hope you’ll join us for our first event in Ludington, Michigan!
Join us on Wednesday, April 15 from 5:00–7:00 PM at Ludington Bay Brewing Company for a relaxed evening connecting with fellow supporters and learning more about CRA’s work in your area.
The Confluence: Ludington will spotlight projects along the Pere Marquette River, including updates on the Baldwin Dam Removal Project. A brief project presentation will begin at 6:00 PM.
Enjoy appetizers and your first drink on us while we share a brief update on how your support is helping restore and protect our rivers. Stick around for door prize drawings—we’ve lined up a few fun giveaways as a small thank you for all you do to care for and champion these places.
Whether you’ve been involved with CRA for years or are just getting to know our work, we’d love to see you there.
Space is limited and registration is required.Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please RSVP by April 6, 2026:

RSVP HERE

Canceled: Guided Birding Walk at the Boardman River
2026-05-08 09:00 - 11:00 | MI
We’re sorry to share that the Guided Birding Walk scheduled for Friday, May 8 at Brown Bridge Quiet Area Canoe Launch has been canceled.
We truly appreciate everyone who planned to join us and look forward to hosting more opportunities to explore and learn together soon.

Jerry Gates Art Exhibition for Conservation
2026-05-29 04:00 - 19:00 | Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd, Traverse City, MI, 49685, United States
Join us for an evening of local artwork, live music, conservation, and connection!
We hope to see you at the Jerry Gates Art Exhibition on Friday, May 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Boardman River Nature Center’s Community Room. This exhibition features a remarkable collection donated by local artist Jerry Gates, a lifelong art teacher, avid fisherman, and dear friend of CRA. His life’s work, entrusted to CRA to support river conservation, reflects his deep connection to the beautiful waters and wild landscapes we actively steward.
Every piece purchased directly supports CRA’s mission to restore Michigan’s rivers and habitats through collaborative, on-the-ground conservation. A portion of each sale will also support the evening’s hosts, the Grand Traverse Conservation District, whose mission is to provide access to the natural world, restore natural areas, train future generations of conservation leaders, and support sustainable local agriculture.
Highlights of the evening will also include live music from local pianist David Chown, followed by an artist talk by Jerry Gates himself. Complimentary wine will be available throughout the evening.
When you make a purchase, you are not just bringing home a piece of fine art. You are investing in the health and future of our region’s rivers, streams, and wildlife habitats.
RSVPs required. Jerry Gates’ artwork will also be available for purchase through the CRA website beginning in June.

RSVP HERE

About Jerry Gates:
