Grass Identification Course

What to expect:

Crack the code on grass identification!

Join us for a two-day grass identification course at the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS). This immersive workshop runs 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and combines fieldwork, lab sessions, and expert instruction.

In the wonderful world of plants, grass-like species can be tricky—even for experienced botanists. You may know the saying, “sedges have edges, rushes are round, grasses have nodes all the way to the ground.” Need more than that? We’ve got you covered.

Grasses (family Poaceae) occur worldwide in nearly every ecosystem—from forests to wetlands to grasslands. While incredibly abundant, they are also remarkably diverse, often occupying unique microhabitats. Identifying them can be challenging.

This course will build your confidence by exploring grass anatomy, key identification features, and ecological clues that make species recognition easier and more accurate.

About the workshop:

Designed for conservation professionals, land managers, naturalists, and curious learners, the workshop will be taught by experienced botanists specializing in plant ecology, rare species, and vegetation monitoring.

This course will be led by Dr. Tyler Bassett (Michigan Natural Features Inventory) and Brad Slaughter (Orbis Environmental Consulting)

Workshop Focus:

• Identification of grass species
• Hands-on exploration of grasses in the wide range of habitats in which they occur.
• Species-level determination using lab and field specimens
• Field visits to sites in the greater Kalamazoo and Barry County area

Participants Will Learn:

• Morphology and terminology used to identify grasses
• A greater familiarity with grass species encountered in southern Michigan
• The ecological role of grasses in a wide range of habitats

Registration Includes:

• Instruction from veteran field botany professionals
• Lab and field identification sessions
• Morning coffee, lunch (Friday), and afternoon refreshments
• Grasses of the Northern Forest: A Photographic Guide (value $17) 
• Occasional comedic relief

Event Information:

• Dates: Thursday, July 30 & Friday, July 31, 2026
• Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (each day)
• Location: KBS Academic Building
• Address: 3700 E. Gull Lake Dr., Hickory Corners MI 49060
• Audience: Adults
• Cost: $250 for Sanctuary members; $300 for non-members
• Registration is required.
  

Register by July 27, 2026. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Lodging Information:

Traveling from out of the area? Overnight accommodations are available through the KBS Conference Center. To make a reservation, contact:

• Email: conference@kbs.msu.edu
• Phone: 269-671-2160

Cancellation Policy for Events Requiring Registration:
If a program is cancelled due to weather or other circumstances by the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, a full refund will be issued. If a registrant must cancel before the event’s registration deadline, a full refund will be issued. No refunds the day of an event or after. For events that require prepayment, no space will be held without
full payment. Registrations can be transferred at any time.

Questions? Please email communityrelations@kbs.msu.edu.