51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú

51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Great Plains is engaging communities throughout North Dakota and South Dakota in a variety of outreach opportunities this spring and summer. We are expanding our outreach in South Dakota with a variety of partner organizations to offer Bird Bash—a migration celebration at Bear Butte State Park—and offering birding walks and activities for Eagle Day at Sand Land National Wildlife Refuge. In North Dakota, Cass County will see the continuation of many beloved events such as the Fargo Birding Festival, the monthly Larks Birding group outings to Urban Woods and Prairies sites, a personal water vessel excursion partnered with River Keepers—Birds of the Red River, wetland learning activities at the Red River Water Festival, and a birding excursion with the Fargo-Moorhead 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Chapter.

The chapter will be touring the Edward M. Brigham III Alkali Lake Sanctuary and Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge to consider the ecological importance of effective habitat management plans and restoration efforts in the Prairie Pothole Region. Our sanctuary site will also host a Women in Conservation event to engage professionals and stakeholders in essential conversations surrounding modern conservation and the power of leveraging collective expertise, competence, and resources.

In downtown Fargo, secondary school student interns with the Buzz Lab learning program at the Plains Art Museum will learn about Nature at Night this summer, with 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú staff sharing research on how lights and structures affect birds and how to best protect and advocate for nocturnal and migrating species.

North Dakota’s outreach strategy in the Jamestown area will have 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú staff actively participating in community events delivering family-focused learning experiences while raising awareness about 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú’s 2,300-acre Edward M. Brigham III Alkali Lake Sanctuary north of the city. Staff will be engaging audiences at the Jamestown Kite Festival, Kids Safety Day, Party in the Park, Healthy Connections Parks Program, Two Rivers Activity Center Summer Camp, and the Alfred Dickey Library to share our passion for birds and the Great Plains ecosystems.

We’re eager to announce that this summer will be our first time hosting 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Adventures Nature Camp—a day camp for children ages six through twelve to explore nature and enhance their natural curiosity through learning, playing, and artistic expression at our sanctuary! To establish a stronger presence in the community with families, we will also be hosting a Family Fun Day at the sanctuary property with many nature-focused activities for persons of all ages to enjoy.