Incredible Insect Extravaganza

Calling all bug lovers, bug skeptics, nature nerds, and everyone in between. 
Explore Plaster Creek Park’s meadow, learn how conservation impacts the insect populations, get more comfortable with bugs, and enjoy a variety of bug-themed activities with local partners. This event is suitable for everyone interested in ecology, insects, conservation, and exploring our parks!

• Free native plants (first come, first served!)
• Make a free lino cut print: one per person, bring your own item of clothing or paper product to print on, or we’ll have paper!
• Learn about the habitat restoration that is happening at Plaster Creek Family Park
• See, touch, learn about isopods
• Look at bugs under microscopes, both terrestrial and aquatic macroinvertebrates
• Bug netting (nets provided)
• Sidewalk chalk art

About Our Event Partners
Grand Rapids Bug Club is a group of bug lovin’ Michiganders building our own community for insect admiration and education. The club consists of both experts and novice bug lovers of all ages and experience levels. Our club meets monthly at Speciation Cellars to bring exciting insect related topics and activities to life. We are excited to partner with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks to bring the club into the community! 

Plaster Creek Stewards seeks to reconcile relationships between people and the natural world by restoring health and beauty to the Plaster Creek Watershed. As an initiative of Calvin University and in partnership with our community neighbors, we focus on research, education and engagement, and ecological restoration practices.

LGROW Matt Bain is the Aquatic Specialist and Education Coordinator for Grand Valley Metro Council (GVMC), working in the environmental programs department known as the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW). As the Aquatic Specialist, Matt focuses on macroinvertebrate sampling to gauge and monitor water quality. He also works with students and stakeholders, teaching watershed basics through water quality monitoring and stewardship.

Solidago Landscape Design (Angela Haan) is Grand Rapids-based company dedicated to transforming conventional lawns and gardens into ecologically-rich spaces that support community well-being and environmental health. Through thoughtful plant sourcing, garden design, and installation services, Solidago helps homeowners and communities reconnect with the natural world, one garden at a time.

Madison Memering is a nature-inspired artist who recreates Michigan wildlife, specifically flora, funga and insects through her watercolor paintings.

C4 is a partnership, of education, and of consensus-building facilitator. They create space for a robust climate justice movement in our community by providing spaces for partners and residents to engage, resolve conflicts, build strategies, share resources, align vision, and shift the focus of environmental work to be more equitable.

Pangea Reptile is dedicated to inspiring a deeper appreciation for animals and the ecosystems they’re part of. Through thoughtfully curated products and live animal collections, including reptiles and isopods, they aim to make responsible care, education, and discovery more accessible to everyone.