Grass Identification Workshop
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Friday, July 31, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
3700 East Gull Lake Drive
Hickory Corners, MI 49060
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.
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.
Designed for conservation professionals, land managers, naturalists, and curious learners, this workshop will be led by Dr. Tyler Bassett (Michigan Natural Features Inventory) and Brad Slaughter (Orbis Environmental Consulting), both experienced botanists specializing in plant ecology, rare species, and vegetation monitoring.
This advanced workshop focuses on:
- 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
Lodging
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: 269-671-2400
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. Between the registration deadline and the first day of the program, a 20% processing fee per registrant will be retained by the Sanctuary. No refunds the day of an event or after. For events that require prepayment, no space will be held without full payment. If a registrant cannot attend, the spot may be transferred to another person at any time.
Registration for Grass Identification Cource is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 27, 2026.
There are 20 openings available.
Accommodations
Michigan State University Extension programs, services events, and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Contact Information
For more information, please get in touch with the Kellogg Biological Station Community Relations Office at communityrelations@kbs.msu.edu.