Traverse City Microbrews: Need another good reason to partake in delicious Northern Michigan local beer from the craftsmen at Brewery Terra Firma? If you head to their new Traverse City tasting room any time on Thursday, Sept. 19 the Brewery will donate 50% of all sales to support the conservation of the Boardman River. That night, join Boardman River Program Coordinator Steve Largent and other river specialists as they tell the story of the Boardman River and the dam removal project. The evening will include our annual fly rod raffle drawing at 7:00pm.

In many respects, Traverse City's Boardman River is the unifying force that links together the history and culture of Northwest Michigan.  From the first Anishinaabeg who drew sustenance and inspiration from its waters, to the lumber barons that laid the foundation for Traverse City, to the countless trail-users, paddlers and fisherman whose outdoor passions fuel our Up North economy, the waters of the Boardman flow through all of us.

And now, in addition to recreation, the waters that lay within the 287-square mile Boardman River watershed are being utilized in another important economic driver in our community—crafting beer. Ask any brew master, and they’ll tell you that water is a key component to brewing high quality beers. Luckily for our area brewers, the Conservation District has been working tirelessly for over 20 years to safeguard the Boardman River and its watershed.

Nowadays, a beautiful, safe, stable river is no accident. With all of the external pressures placed on our waterways, preserving beautiful, productive rivers takes a lot of planning, passion, and a good deal of physical labor. It’s for these reasons, and many more, that protecting the Boardman River is crucial to the health and economy of our community. Please join us and our friends at Traverse City's Brewery Terra Firma for the Boardman River Showcase—a fun, educational, and delicious way to raise funds that go directly to conserving the Boardman River.

When: Thursday, September 19 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: Brewery Terra Firma, 2959 Hartman Rd., Traverse City, MI

For the past 16 years, Bob Summers—an internationally renowned fly-rod maker who lives on the Boardman River—has crafted and donated a fly rod to support our work on the river. Raffle tickets are only $10 each, and only 1000 are printed each year. Get yours today at Brewery Terra Firma or by calling 231-941-0960.