Hosts:

Anne Lewis 

Instructors: 

Anne Lewis (AM) Jesse Wilkens and SD DANR staff (PM)

Meeting Location & Time:

• Morning session: 10AM. Oahe Downstream Recreation Area by the northwest end of the Marina (map). Park entrance sticker required. 

• Afternoon session: 1:00PM. Griffin Park along the Missouri River near the Volley Ball Court. (map)

Directions:

At Oahe Downstream, proceed straight after you pass the gatehouse. When you hit the T intersection turn left.

What to expect:

In the morning we will explore macroinvertebrates and how to teach about them (even if you are macroinvertebrate newbie). We will also cover taking macro photos.

What to bring:

• Day pack

• Water

• Phone camera.

• Camp chair and/or pad for sitting/kneeling on the ground.

• Tick prevention clothing (long pants, taller socks)

• Shoes for walking.

• Lunch (a short break to get take out is scheduled if you do not want to bring a sack lunch)

• Camp chair for afternoon session

• Sunscreen/lip balm.

• Brimmed hat

Field Trip Prep (readings, videos, etc):

Beetles Discovery Swap: A method to lead groups in macroinvertebrate exploration.

***This Field Trip has been canceled due to low enrollment (5/25/23)

Hosts: Amanda Bachmann

Meeting Location & Time: 

Friday June 2

10 AM CT - 4 PM CT

10 - 11:30 Welcome and exploring the ranch (on foot or around the perimeter in vehicles. TBD): Anne and Ranch staff.

11:30 - 12:30 Bugs and plants of the grasslands

12:30 - 1:00 Bagged lunch on-site

1:00 - 4:00 Bumble bee monitoring training: Xerces Society

Directions: 

Address:  26314 Tatanka Rd, Fort Pierre, SD 57532

If folks come from the West, sometimes it gives them goofy directions. It is best to navigate from Fort Pierre, take Cut Across Road to 1806. Occasionally, their GPS will also say that they have arrived when they are only halfway up the driveway. They just need to keep coming until they get to all the buildings. Keep an eye out for signs pointing the way!  

What to expect: 

Lots of nature! We’ll be observing vertebrates and invertebrates in the grasslands of the Standing Butte ranch, and ending the day with a bumble bee atlas training session.

There will be a porta pottie and hand washing station available on site.

What to bring: 

What to bring:

·         Day pack

·         Water

·         Phone camera

·         Camp chair and/or pad for sitting/kneeling on the ground

·         Tick prevention clothing (long pants, taller socks)

·         Shoes for walking

·         Lunch (we are too far out for a run back to town, so a packed lunch is a must)

·         Sunscreen/lip balm

·         Insect repellant

·         Brimmed hat

·         Nature journal

Field Trip Prep (readings, videos, etc): 

Field Trip Prep (readings, videos, etc):

You may want to watch the first video here - https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org/gptraining.html and familiarize yourself with the ID resources and data sheets at https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org/gppacket.html

More info coming soon! 

Hosts:

Instructors:

Meeting Location & Time:

Directions:

What to expect:

What to bring:

Field Trip Prep (readings, videos, etc):

Pactola Reservoir is known for its scenic beauty and vast recreation opportunities, but it also supplies the water to the second-most populous city in South Dakota, Rapid City! This field trip will explore the biodiversity of the Pactola basin and learn about Rapid Creek watershed.

The  basin is buzzing with activity in July, many migratory bird species call the basin home during the summer, and it has some of the best wildflowers and trout fishing in the Black Hills! During the morning Naturalists, Jen Fowler and Julie Brazell will lead us on a bird hike (~1.5 miles easy) and share their vast knowledge. We will practice using guide books and learn tips and tricks for IDing birds and plants of the area. The afternoon's focus will be on the Rapid Creek watershed hydrology and geology  

Hosts:

Andrea Fountain 

Instructors:

Dr. Jen Fowler & Julie Brazell 

Meeting Location & Time: 

 8:30am- 2:30pm below the Pactola dam @ the walk-in fly fishing area also known as the Pactola Basin

Directions:

 Andrea will send out a map with the directions. The turn for the basin is on Hwy 385, on the north end of the dam between the Pactola Visitor Center and Veterans Point. 

What to expect:

You will become an expert on the Pactola basin--the entire field trip will take place in the Pactola basin, unless there is bad weather then we will move up the road for shelter at the Pactola Visitor Center. The conditions are semi-rustic, there will be one vault toilet at our meeting spot, be prepared to hike 3-4 miles. 

What to bring:

• Wear sturdy closed-toed shoes or boots for hiking

• Rain gear/sun gear. Be prepared for any temperatures with a jacket, layers, and sun hat

• Sunscreen and bug spray 

•  Lunches are NOT provided; pack a sack lunch and two filled water bottles. 

• Nature journal and a pen or pencil, plus a tote or knapsack to carry your supplies

• Curiosity and Wonder!

Field Trip Prep (readings, videos, etc):

Hosts:

Kayla Miller

Instructors:

Meeting Location & Time:

Directions:

What to expect:

What to bring:

• • • Backpack

    • Sack lunch

    • Two bottles of water – consider freezing one the night before so you can have a cool drink!

    • Your nature journal or notebook

    • Bug spray

    • Sun protection: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses

    • Clothing appropriate for the site and weather: long pants, light-colored clothing, windbreaker, rain gear, close-toed shoes appropriate for hiking, smartphone.

    •   Optional: Camera, cooler, binoculars, trekking poles, hand sanitizer, small camp chair

Field Trip Prep (readings, videos, etc):

Wind Cave National Park is a diverse home of eastern and western species of flora and fauna! Come explore the "edges" of the ponderosa forest and rolling mixed-grass prairie and learn about the animals and plants that thrive there.

This will be a hike and learn trip. The hike will be lively and informative with lots of "teachable moments", laughs, and learning! Duane Weber is a fantastic naturalist and educator, with boundless knowledge about Wind Cave flora and fauna! Expect 3-5 miles, with the potential of off-trail travel through rolling prairie, steep ravines, and ponderosa forests. We will be out in the Wind Cave backcountry for the majority of the day, bathroom facilities are only available at the visitor center, please be prepared for "rustic" conditions. Pack a sack lunch and lots of snacks! Wear sturdy hiking boots, and remember your rain jacket, and curiosity!

Hosts:

Andrea Fountain 

Instructors:

Duane Weber, Retired NPS Resource Management 

Meeting Location & Time:

Wind Cave National Park Visitor, 9:00 am MT

Directions:

From Rapid City direct:

• Follow Route 79 south approximately 50 miles to U.S. Route 385.

• Turn right onto U.S. Route 385 North, then continue through Hot Springs.

• Follow U.S. Hwy 385 another 6 miles north and into Wind Cave National Park.

• Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

From Rapid City via the Black Hills:

• Follow U.S. Hwy. 16 south and west to U.S. Hwy. 385.

• Turn left on US Hwy. 385 south to Hill City and continue south through Custer City. The park is about 20 miles south of Custer, SD off U.S. Hwy 385.

• Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

Park Map: https://www.nps.gov/wica/planyourvisit/maps.htm

What to expect:

• Distance: Expect 3-5 miles of hiking, with the potential of off-trail travel through rolling prairie, steep ravines, and ponderosa forests

•  Bathroom facilities and drinkable water: We will be out in the Wind Cave backcountry for the majority of the day, bathroom facilities are only available at the visitor center, please be prepared for "rustic" conditions. 

• Risks: There will be hiking on uneven ground with the potential for ticks and mosquitos and rattlesnakes, and bison. But, the most dangerous thing you will do that day is driving to the site; as a reminder driving is at your own risk; please drive safe!

What to bring:

• • • Backpack

    • Sack lunch

    • Two bottles of water – consider freezing one the night before so you can have a cool drink!

    • Your nature journal or notebook

    • Bug spray

    • Sun protection: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses

    • Clothing appropriate for the site and weather: long pants, light-colored clothing, windbreaker, rain gear, close-toed shoes appropriate for hiking, smartphone.

    •   Optional: Camera, cooler, binoculars, trekking poles, hand sanitizer, small camp chair

Field Trip Prep (readings, videos, etc):

This field trip will explore the past, present, and future of the South Dakota badlands region. These lands include mixed grass prairie, chalky badlands, a surprising diversity of plants and animals, and a rich geological and paleontological past. We will learn management practices from Buffalo Gap National Grasslands and discover the paleontological past. 

 Hosts:

Andrea Fountain

Instructors:

Phil Dobesh, Buffalo Gap National Grassland Wildlife Biologist

Travis Mason-Bushman, National Grasslands Visitor Center

Ed Welsh, Paleontologist, Badlands National Forest  

Meeting Location & Time:

10:00 am, Wall Community Center

Directions:

What to expect:

This field trip will be a mix of many types of presentations. We will start at the Wall Community Center with Travis Mason-Bushman of the National Grasslands Visitor Center and will learn a brief history of the National Grasslands, and the role of the Visitor Center.  In the morning we will head out to the Sage Creek Wilderness to learn about Buffalo Gaps National Grassland's wildlife management practices with wildlife biologist, Phil Dobesh.  After learning about the present wildlife, we will dive into the past and  end the day with a hike and learn from Badlands National Park Paleontologist Ed Welsh.

The day will be jam packed with fun and interesting presentations. Please note that a National Park annual or day pass is required. Please contact Andrea Fountain if you do not have one, or will need help with the cost (no problem, we are here to help!): Bhpf@blackhillsparks.org

What to bring:

• Wear sturdy closed-toed shoes or boots for hiking

• Rain gear/sun gear. Be prepared for any temperatures with a jacket, layers, and sun hat

• Sunscreen and bug spray 

•  Lunches are NOT provided; pack a sack lunch and two filled water bottles. 

• Nature journal and a pen or pencil, plus a tote or knapsack to carry your supplies

• Curiosity and Wonder!

Field Trip Prep (readings, videos, etc):