Celebrate Wildlife at the 30th Annual Wildlife Festival!

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with the Friends of Sherburne, invites families, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate the 30th Annual Wildlife Festival on Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Savanna Learning Center. This free, family-friendly event celebrates National Wildlife Refuge Week (Oct. 11–18), Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day (Oct. 11) and National Public Lands Day (Sept. 27) while showcasing the incredible wildlife and habitats protected at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.

Enjoy a fun-filled day on scenic granite trails featuring several booths with engaging, hands-on activities. Observe live animals, watch a bird banding demonstration, explore refuge wildlife and management, try your skills at a BB gun range, experience native seed cleaning, learn about Native American culture, discover aquatic invertebrates and more! Plus, enjoy delicious food from three local vendors, bid on unique items at the Friends’ silent auction, and shop at the Eagle’s Nest Nature Store.

Additional highlights of the festival include a live animal presentation by the Wildlife Science Center featuring a snake, salamander and owl. Followed by an investigation demonstration from Federal Wildlife Canine Togo and Federal Wildlife Canine Officer Pete Harvey showing how the team locates evidence.

Visitors will have the unique opportunity to drive along several refuge service roads from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., providing access to areas typically closed to vehicle traffic.

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge looks forward to welcoming you at the Oak Savanna Learning Center, located ¼ mile west of refuge headquarters off Sherburne County Road 9 at 16797 289th Ave NW, Zimmerman, MN 55398. Look for event signs to guide your way.

For more details, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/sherburne/events or contact us at sherburne@fws.gov or 763-389- 3323.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this program for all participants. Direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs to sherburne@fws.gov or 763-389-3323, TTY 800-877-8339 at least two weeks prior to the event. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and is located near the cities of Princeton, Zimmerman, and St. Cloud, in central Minnesota. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube. Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that nurtures an appreciation for and the conservation of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge through education, volunteerism and philanthropy.