“Dedicated to the wise use of all North Dakota's natural resources.”

Upcoming Events

Prairie Day 2008

Celebrate North Dakota’s Rangelands and the 100th Anniversary of
Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Stutsman County

June 21, 2008

Prairie Day is an annual outdoor event designed to educate kids and adults alike about the values and beauty of native prairie. The informative day will start with the option of either an early-morning bird or wildflower walk through the prairie with biologists and members of the North Dakota Grazing Coalition. Landowners and ranchers Gene Goven, Steve Fettig, and Jeff Printz with the North Dakota Grazing Coalition will present an on-the-ground talk on “Managing for Healthy, Sustainable Grasslands.” Refuge Manager Natoma Buskness will give a short, entertaining presentation on the 100-year history of Chase Lake NWR during the free picnic lunch.

Directions: [view map]
  • Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge is 10 miles north of Medina on County Road 68.
  • At the Chase Lake NWR sign, turn west on 26th St SE.
  • Travel 7 miles west (the last 4 miles are prairie trail) and 1 mile south to the Chase Lake Prairie Pass.
  • If there have been recent rains, an alternate route is to travel 3 miles west on 26th St. SE and then turn north 2 miles, west 4.5 miles, and south 4 miles south to Chase Lake Prairie Pass.

The route(s) will be marked; follow the signs. Registration begins at 7:30 A.M. The field tours begin at 8:15 A.M. Free lunch will be served at noon.

IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER: Events will be held at the Chase Lake Visitors Center in Medina. You also can call 701-650-1259 to verify event location.

Sponsors: Prairie Day 2008 is sponsored by Audubon Dakota, Chase Lake Foundation, ND Chapter of The Wildlife Society, ND Game and Fish Department, ND Grazing Coalition, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Need more information? Please join us! Pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register use the form provided below or contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office at Chase Lake NWR at (701) 752-4218 for more information; ask for Natoma. Please note that field tours are conducted over uneven terrain and no walking paths are available on the prairies. The parking lot and lunch area are gravel and grass. There will be presentations on site that are handicapped accessible. If you have specific needs, please contact Chase Lake NWR and we will do our best to accommodate them. Liability for injury resides with the participant.

Registration Information: