Special Events
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of special events and outreach activities on and off site throughout the year. Listed below are a few of our annual events. Please check this page periodically for updates, added events, and changes or cancellations.
For directions to Sand Lake NWR see the Contact Us page.
A Summer of Butterflying - May through September, 2012
Discover an abundance of these colorful prairie gems dancing atop the native tall grass and prairie wildflowers at Sand Lake NWR. Now rare in all but a few areas of the upper Midwest, this is your chance to observe the Dakota Skipper during its active, few short weeks of life - June 26th through July 21st (spotted at Sand Lake twice in 2009, once in 2010, and six times in 2011). Treat yourself, family, and friends to a memorable outing in search of swallowtails, whites, sulphers, coppers, hairstreaks, blues, brushfoots, and skippers. Don’t forget your Field Guide to Butterflies of South Dakota by Gary M. Marrone. Click here for a checklist of butterflies found in the Sand Lake/Brown County area (59 KB)
National Pollinator Week - June 18-24, 2012
Bees, beetles, butterflies, bats, hummingbirds, and flies - but a few of nature's hard-working creatures that help pollinate over 75% of our flowering plants, and nearly 75% of our crops. During the week of June 18-24, visit the Sand Lake NWR or one of the many Waterfowl Production Areas to witness a variety of busy pollinators dancing the petal's edge. For additional Information, visit the US Fish & Wildlife Pollinator Website or Click here to view a copy of the Attracting Pollinators to your Garden booklet (500 KB)National Wildlife Refuges Week - October 7-13, 2012
Celebrate National Wildlife Refuges all over the country! There are over 550 national wildlife refuges, including one in every state! Many are located within an hour's drive of most metropolitan cities. Visit Sand Lake NWR during National Wildlife Refuge Week. You can explore Wildlife Drive, capture the refuge by lens, go fishing, discover the visitor center, climb the 108-foot tower, and take a wildlife hike. Explore your own backyard on Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Eagle Day 2012 - Fall 2012
Date to be determined. Please check back.
Tour Route/Interior Lands Close for Winter Months - October 2012
Roads, gates, and tour route close to non-hunting public access in mid-October for the winter months. The headquarters building, observation tower, Columbia Day Use Area (restrooms close), Cuthead Trail, and Migration Point remain open through the winter months. Date to be determined. Please check back.
Sand Lake NWR Annual Christmas Bird Count - December 2012
This is an excellent opportunity to participate in the 113th National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. Date to be determined. Please check back for details.
For more information regarding the national Christmas bird count, visit the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count web page.
