Dakota Prairie Grasslands - U.S. Forest Service

Recreational Activities Cause Fires in Medora Ranger District

Bismarck, ND, September 9, 2024 – Forest Service law enforcement and fire personnel recently responded to multiple fires in the Medora Ranger District caused by recreational activities.

According to Dan Smiley, USDA Forest Service (USDA-FS) Law Enforcement Officer (LEO), Dakota Prairie Grasslands (DPG), two fires occurred in the Medora Ranger District, both caused by recreational activity. Both fires are being actively investigated.

Recent mounting temperatures and negligible precipitation are drying out the landscapes. As a result, fuels such as grasses, brush, and decaying vegetation quickly turn into dangerous, highly flammable, and potentially fast-moving brush fires.

Shane Tosse, USDA-FS DPG Fire Prevention Specialist, said most wildfires are caused by human recreational activities and reinforced the need for recreationists to be mindful of environmental conditions and posted regulations.

Tosse offered some safety tips for campers seeking to build campfires to include:

• Using existing fire rings minimizes the chance of an escaped campfire.
• Clear an area of combustible material six feet from a campfire to reduce the chance of it spreading into a wildfire.
• Bring tools such as a bucket, shovel, and axe available to control or extinguish escaped fire.
• Never leave a fire unattended for any reason.
• Before leaving the campfire, ensure it is dead out and cool to the touch of the hand.
• Hot exhaust of a vehicle can ignite tall grass, be mindful of where to drive and park.

Smiley also emphasized that the use of binary explosive targets otherwise known as Tannerite, is prohibited on National Forest Service lands.

Additional fi****ms safety guidelines mandate that no fi****ms may be discharged in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area, across/on a road or body of water, or in any circumstance whereby any person may be injured.

Recreationists are encouraged to read posted guidance and monitor fire conditions as part of responsible activity in the grasslands, particularly as the lands start to dry out.

North Dakota fire danger maps are posted daily at https://ndresponse.gov/burn-ban-restrictions-fire-danger- maps.

Alerts, fire restrictions, and other information about safe recreation on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands can be found on the website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/dpg.

Public Notice:

The potable water hand pump in the West Loop of Hankinson Hills Campground is closed until further well water testing is performed and may reopen on 09/13/2024 pending water test results.

In the meantime, please bring a potable source of water for drinking, washing, cooling, and so forth.

The hand pump in the East Loop remains open for use.

Thank you for your patience!

The DPG

Get fired up about a career as a Wildland Firefighter!

Several Federal and State agencies, including the USDA Forest Service—Dakota Prairie Grasslands, US Fish & Wildlife, National Park Service, ND Emergency Management, ND Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, are seeking qualified candidates for seasonal and full-time staff.

How can you become qualified?

Bismarck State College and these partnering agencies offer a ten-day Wildland Firefighter Type 2 short course from September 30 to October 11, 2024, Monday through Friday, 2 PM to 6 PM.

For only $199, students get hands-on experience, learn essential skills, and certify for a career combating wildfire in ten short days. Plus, the cost covers all course materials and equipment.

For more information or to register, click here: https://bismarckstate.edu/continuingeducation/business/Career-Pathways/Wildland-Firefighter/

For specific questions, call 701-224-5600 or email [email protected].

Register for the ten-day Wildland Firefighter Type 2 training at Bismarck State College now!

And before you go, remember to like and share this post with friends and family!

Happy Labor Day!

It's a national holiday commemorating the hardworking American people just like you since June 28, 1894.

Plus, Labor Day also marks the unofficial end of summer.

With that in mind, set aside your labors and enjoy leisurely recreation on the dazzling Dakota Prairie Grasslands!

Looking for things to do or places to go on the DPG? Start by exploring options on our website here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/dpg/recreation

Then, follow the arrows to your favorite recreation destination.

So, today, set aside your labors and have some fun!

Note: Our hardworking staff has the day off, too, which means our offices are closed; however, we'll reopen on Tuesday, September 3, at 0800.

We'll see you tomorrow!

Cheers!

Are you or someone you know looking for hands-on work in the great outdoors? Why not consider a career as a Wildland Firefighter?

Did you know many Federal and State agencies seek qualified candidates to fill open jobs? Hiring agencies include the USDA Forest Service - Dakota Prairie Grasslands, US Fish & Wildlife, National Park Service, ND Emergency Management, ND Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Curious about how you can qualify for these opportunities?

Bismarck State College and these partnering agencies put together a ten-day Wildland Firefighter Type 2 short course, which runs Monday through Friday, 2-6 PM, from September 30 – October 11, 2024.

Students get hands-on experience, learn essential skills, and certify for a career combating wildfire in ten short days for only $199! Plus, the cost covers all course materials and equipment.

For more information or to register, click here: https://bismarckstate.edu/continuingeducation/business/Career-Pathways/Wildland-Firefighter/

Specific questions? Call: 701-224-5600 or email: [email protected].

Register for the ten-day Wildland Firefighter Type 2 training at Bismarck State College now!

And before you go, remember to like and share this post with friends and family!

The Little Missouri National Grassland Travel Management project is underway and is now in the early engagement or pre-National Environmental Protection Act phase.

The goal is to designate motorized use on the LMNG National Forest System Roads, trails, and areas by type of motor vehicle and time of year.

The project is a collaborative process emphasizing coordination with state, local, and tribal governments and public involvement.

Therefore, we are open to receiving public feedback to help develop a preliminary proposal during this important early engagement or pre-National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) period, which continues through October 15, 2024.

The public is invited to attend an Open House for early engagement discussions and to offer project commentary.

The five Open House dates and locations include:

1. Beach, ND - Monday, September 16, 2024, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. MST @ the Beach Community Center, 153 E. Main St., Beach, ND 58621

2. Dickinson, ND - Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. MST @ the NDSU Extension Office – Stark County, Dakota Room, 2680 Empire Rd., Dickinson, ND 58601

3. Medora, ND - Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. MST @ the Medora Community Center (Roosevelt Room), 465 Pacific Ave., Medora, ND 58645

4. Watford City, ND - Monday, September 23, 2024, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CST @ The Watford Hotel (Meeting Room), 810 3rd Ave. SW, Watford City, ND 58854

5. Amidon, ND - Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. MST @ the Slope County Community Fairground, 2 North Main St., Amidon, ND 58620

Representatives from the USDA Forest Service - Dakota Prairie Grasslands and Ulteig will be on hand to answer questions and discuss concerns.

The project-specific website has full details, a set of maps highlighting the current transportation system (according to our records), a FAQ document, and information about how to receive project updates or share comments. To view these and more, check out the DPG website under the FEATURES section here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/dpg

Admit it. You just had that song "You Don't Bring Me Flowers (Anymore)," sung by Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand (1978), running through your head.

In a perfectly timed gesture, here's a bouquet of western prairie fringed orchids for you! Note: We opted to snap a "pic" of them rather than to physically "pick" them. Read on, and you'll see why.

Platanthera praeclara, known as the western prairie fringed orchid and the Great Plains white fringed orchid, is a rare and threatened species native to North America.

These singular orchids are often found in moist habitats or sedge meadows, including our Sheyenne National Grasslands (SNG). The elusive and endangered orchid persists in areas lightly grazed, periodically burned, or regularly mowed.

Although they may seem hearty, please don't pluck them from their prime prairie placements. Rather, admire them right where they are. We came across these specimens in a roadside ditch on the SNG. We also found a few ticks (or rather, they found us), but it was (mostly) worth it.

Platanthera praeclara, with its fleshy tuber and height ranging from 38 to 85 centimeters (15" to 33"), is a plant of unique beauty. Each plant can bear up to two dozen or more flowers, each one a marvel of nature. These orchid's features are distinctive, to include its slightly larger flowers, petal shape, and longer nectar spur, which sets it apart from its eastern counterpart, Platanthera leucophaea.

The western prairie fringed orchid is a long-lived perennial, emerging in May and blooming in June or in July further north. The flowers are fragrant at night; they're pollinated by large sphinx moths, and requires direct sunlight for growth.

Speaking of sunshine, finding these uniquely petaled flowers on the prairie brightened our day, and we just HAD to share them with you. We hope it makes your day or night (depending on when you're reading this).

Now you can't say, "You Don't Bring Me Flowers (Anymore).

We just did. 😁

AVID ARCHERS LET ARROWS FLY ACROSS PUBLIC PRAIRE

An array of avid archers let their arrows fly across the public prairie last weekend on the Little Missouri National Grassland (LMNG) at the 2024 Badlands Classic Outdoor 3D Archery Shoot. The non-competitive annual event, organized by the Roughrider Archers and the North Dakota Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA), offered bow-benders a chance to warm up and sharpen their projectile propelling prowess preceding the upcoming start of the Deer, Mule, and White-tailed bow hunting season in a few weeks.

Greg Morel, Vice President of the Dickinson, North Dakota-based Roughrider Archery Club, scoped over 500 acres of public property, searching for the ideal location to hold the annual archery event. He finally keyed in on about 200 acres of public lands just west of Medora, containing roughly four-and-a-half miles of routes on the LMNG, managed by the Medora Ranger District.

After receiving a special uses permit from the Dakota Prairie Grasslands (DPG) for an area neatly nestled between Maah Daah Hey and Buffalo Gap Trails, Morel said they mapped out a pair of elaborate hunting trails of varying complexity. The Standard course involved nearly 1.5 miles of light to moderate terrain hiking. In contrast, the Extreme course clocked in around three miles, which included trails over rougher and more demanding topography that necessitated hiking up, scrambling across, and clambering down the massive earthen elevations.

Brock Wahl, the co-chair of the North Dakota chair of the BHA, states he designed the Extreme course to be arduous and authentic to what hunters can expect to experience. Thus, he established the route throughout craggier, hillier terrain and strategically planned where to position the imitation animal targets and the shooting vantage points.

The shooting stations were denoted by tall, thin, blaze-orange plastic stakes with the creature's name taped to the one-meter-long protruding picket. Shooters arrived at the station, ascertained their animal objective, scanned the area for their mark, and engaged. Wahl emphasized the value of shooting "at 3D targets to replicate what it might be like when you're hunting and having realistic shots. Really challenging shots to improve your skills," he said.

Morel advised each route was adorned with 25 full-size faux fauna foam figures, manufactured with a self-healing material capable of snapping back together tightly once an arrow is extracted, thereby increasing the mannequin's inanimate lifespan.

Steve Berger, Roughrider Club President and member since 1991, said most of the 3D mannequins are beasts that hunters could feasibly encounter in the region, including "moose, elk, bear, deer, antelope, turkeys, coyotes, fox, wolves…"

However, Berger noted a few unlikely animal oddities were implemented for amusement, such as a male African lion, dinosaurs, a strangely sizable frog, and a nine-foot-tall sasquatch. The big-footed figurine was not on either of the principal paths but rather shrouded in the fertile flora of the novelty stand-and-shoot lane next to the event registration desk. Another target on that novelty path is a bear figurine, which is veiled behind a flat steel deer. Archers aimed for the bear, but if they missed and hit the metallic deer, their $15 arrow would likely shatter.

According to Morel, the Standard targets were set mostly between 20 and 45 yards, and the Extreme targets were typically 40 to 80 yards. Event staff and various volunteers utilized UTVs and trucks to cart the targets along two-track trails to the general areas before unloading and wrangling them into position across the landscape. Morel estimated the bulkier, heavier figures weighed upwards of 150 pounds, such as the nearly full-sized moose; therefore, these larger ornamental placements were established relatively close to the tracks.

Conversely, the lighter, more manageable figures were employed throughout the geographically diverse terrain. The goal was to challenge archers with varying distances and angles or through obstructive foliage, such as trees or brush, that obscured the imitation animal's silhouette.

As the weekend arrived, so did the prairie perusing public, young and old alike, hailing from all over North Dakota, neighboring states, and provinces. Morel tallied 281 registered bowmen, ages 12 and up, each aiming to pull a few bowstrings over the weekend, with 256 registered archers recorded on Saturday alone. He postulated the attendance drop on Sunday was due to prohibitive weather.

Nevertheless, the event and its surroundings were the main attractions because they are distinctive. Wahl states, "Having an archery shoot like on public land is pretty cool and unique. There are a lot of archery shoots happening in the country, but not on public land. Getting people out here to experience this place and have fun… is really good."

Morel shared his colleagues' opinions. "I fully believe this is a great use of public land, and there is very little [environmental] disturbance. A lot of people enjoy it," he said. He continued suggesting that many people come to experience the event, leave briefly to visit nearby Medora, and return in the evening to keep shooting. Some folks also elected to linger and continue their adventure by pitching tents at the Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch or the DPG's Buffalo Gap Campground.

Alex Manard, DPG Recreation Program Manager and Special Uses Permitter for the event expressed his passion for organized activities on the public prairie. "These events are awesome because they get people to come out here and actually see the grasslands, see the public lands, and enjoy what the Dakota Prairie Grasslands is all about. I'm all about people coming out and recreating on the land, and this is one of those events," he said.

Layne and Malinda Ferguson, second-year Badlands Classic attendees, brought their quartet of offspring, a bow-bearing-brood-brigade consisting of three daughters and a son, to tackle the Standard course on Saturday. "We go as a unit no matter where we go. They all shoot 4-H archery. The little guy (motioning to his son Cooper, an Indiana Jones aficionado) is not old enough yet," he said.

Layne Ferguson claims he will continue to attend the grassland event "every time we can. We will. It's not flat ground, and it's able to simulate hunting situations. And it gets your blood pumping…you sweat a little. It's just kind of like shooting in our backyard."

By the end of the weekend, many arrows were dispatched. Some hit their marks. Others flew slightly askew. Hits and misses aside, they came out to the grasslands on a vision quest to whet their appetites and ambitions in anticipation of the upcoming hunting season. The vast arrangement of eager archers attending the event sought to hone their shooting skills, share time with friends and family, and revel and recreate in the natural beauty of the public prairie lands. By this measure, success was achieved because everyone attending struck a… bullseye.

Have we piqued your interest in exploring your other backyard, the one on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands? Now, you might be looking for suggestions about what to do or where to go. You may be curious about the variety of permits available or have a question. You can find contact information for all five office locations on the DPG website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/dpg.

MEDORA RANGER DISTRICT WELCOMES FIRST DEPUTY DISTRICT RANGER

The Medora Ranger District recently welcomed Robert Schilling as its first permanent Deputy District Ranger.

A Deputy District Ranger’s responsibilities are varied and challenging, and Schilling says he is up to the task. He said, “I like the variety, and the complexity of the work I am involved with. I appreciate the opportunity to work with a diverse group of natural resource professionals and collaborating with local, state and federal partners.”

Misty Hays, Medora District Ranger, stated that Schilling “will be actively engaged in all aspects of operations on the Medora District with specific emphasis in wildlife, botany, archeology and recreation activities [and] will be working to engage with our partners and communities.”

Schilling concurred, stating he plans to stay focused on public service, seeking to “do my best to simplify complex government process.” He elaborated, emphasizing that “Involvement from our local communities are crucial to successful land management and I strive to provide professional customer service to everyone who is enjoying, supporting, or conducting business on their public lands.”

Hays expressed her enthusiasm in welcoming Schilling aboard as her second-in-command, remarking, "[he] brings a wealth of experience with the Forest Service and specifically on the Medora Ranger District that will greatly help him as he transitions into his new role as the Deputy District Ranger.”

Schilling’s rise through the ranks has been steady. Preceding his current assignment as a Deputy District Ranger, he was Dakota Prairie Grassland’s (DPG) Recreation Program Manager for a year, and a Recreation Specialist for the Little Missouri National Grasslands for eight years before that. He has worn many other hats, holding positions in Fire, Recreation & Trails, and temporary 120-day assignments as a Public Affairs Officer, and a Deputy District Ranger for the neighboring McKenzie Ranger District. Before landing on the DPG, he worked on the Black Hills National Forest and the Nebraska National Forest.

Yet, his latest role is a big step toward reaching a long-sought career goal into Forest Service leadership. "I have always had an interest in being a line officer, so I got really excited when the Deputy District Ranger position was advertised. I saw this as an excellent opportunity to hone my leadership and management skills while learning from an experienced District Ranger.”

Schilling graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture, a few steps aside from his declared major. "I originally went to college to be a teacher. After my freshman year, I applied for a summer job as a wildland firefighter with the Forest Service because I heard it was a fun way to make a lot of money. After my first day with the Forest Service, I knew I wanted to make this my career. My long-term goal is to be a District Ranger or a Forest Supervisor."

For additional information or questions, please contact the Medora Ranger District, 99 23rd Ave. W. Suite B, Dickinson, ND 58601, Phone: (701) 227-7800.

Happy Birthday, Smokey!

Yes, that's right! America's favorite bear turns 80 years old today!

That's a tremendous milestone—for anyone. At 80 years old, Smokey Bear, the spokes-bear of the longest-running and most successful advertising campaign in American history, would probably agree.

And as you know, Smokey Bear is very careful and particular about fire, even with his BIRTHDAY CANDLES.

Today, as he blew them out, he made a wish.

Do you want to know what it was?

That YOU help prevent wildfires!

Here are some great tips to practice to help Smokey's wish come true.

MAINTAIN YOUR EQUIPMENT

Today, most equipment requires the use of a spark arrestor. A spark arrestor is a mechanical device that traps or destroys hot exhaust particles released from an internal combustion engine. While spark arrestors are not 100% effective, they can greatly reduce the risk of starting a wildfire.

To learn more about proper equipment maintenance, click below:

https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/equipment-use-and-maintenance

EXTINGUISH YOUR CAMPFIRES.

If a campfire is not properly extinguished, smoldering coals and embers can reignite a fire when you aren't around.

To learn the proper steps for campfire safety, click below:

https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety

Follow the USDA Forest Service social media sites to keep up on national events surrounding Smokey's 80th by checking out the links below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smokeybear

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/smokey_bear

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/SmokeyBear

And you can find more Smokey Bear on the Ad Council's website by clicking here: www.smokeybear.com

Again, remember to sing Happy Birthday to your favorite bear of bears!

Three cheers for Smokey Bear!

DAKOTA PRAIRIE GRASSLANDS & PARTNERS PLACE PUBLIC PRAIRIE PATHWAY PEWS

Three USDA Forest Service – Dakota Prairie Grasslands (DPG) staff members from the Sheyenne Ranger District and four volunteers from the Dakota Prairie Chapter of the North Country Trail Association (DPC-NCTA) partnered recently to install four benches along the Oak Leaf/North Country Trail. The recreational pathway is a marked, graveled four-mile loop attached to the North Country National Scenic Trail near Leonard, North Dakota.

Aaron Gaither, Recreation Specialist at the Sheyenne National Grasslands (SNG), always has a few plans in the hopper for community participation projects, and the build-a-bench project seemed an ideal collaboration venture this summer. “I really like involving volunteers on projects like this. It’s a great way to work with our partners and get people out on the grasslands,” he said.

Nevertheless, getting people out on this specific scenic segment of the SNG is hardly a problem. The Oak Leaf trail, which encompasses Jorgen’s Hollow Campground, is popular—very popular. Gaither said that trail counter data revealed the Oak Leaf loop was the highest-trafficked area on the SNG.

Gaither elaborated, noting he has observed people of all ages frequenting the site. “There are families with strollers, older folks with mobility challenges, and fit marathon runners.” The area is a hotspot for hiking, biking, horse riding, nature viewing (wildlife and plants), and winter sports like snowshoeing. Considering the high volume of patrons, he added, “We try to do a lot to maintain it and improve the visitor experience."

Although the trail is intended for a hearty stroll through the grasslands, trekking four miles across the varied terrain without a suitable spot to rest and respite can be challenging even for the recreationally robust. Therein lay the inspiration to strategically situate seats approximately every half to three-quarters of a mile along the popular pathway for folks to stop and enjoy a bit of splendor in the grasslands. As fictional film character Ferris Bueller eloquently emoted (on his “day off”), "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Thus, Gaither snapped into action and contacted the Fargo-based DPC-NCTA, previous prairie project partners, seeking support. After all, their published mission statement “is to develop, maintain, protect and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners.”

Jack Norland, DPC-NCTA president and a member since 2007, called to arms (and legs) and mustered a trio of chapter members to participate in the Friday mid-morning project.

One volunteer who heeded the call was Tim Bauer, a Dilworth, Minnesota resident. Bauer has worked on at least a dozen trail projects in addition to "[taking] care of mowing and trail maintenance for 31 miles of the North Country Trail in the grasslands." As a former Fargo resident, he was introduced to the grasslands over 15 years ago through trail running. In those early days, he also began organizing race events here. Subsequently, he connected to the NCTA and realized how much he enjoyed the area. "It's peaceful, it's quiet, it's different," he said.

Another volunteer on the lookout for something different was Chris Besemann. A software engineer by trade, Besemann took up hiking in his spare time and always kept an eye out to "find something out in nature, something physical. If your day job is sitting at a desk, it’s something nice to do.” After friends suggested he try his able hands at area maintenance projects, he joined the DPC-NCTA in 2021 and has worked on five projects since. The bench project chalked up number six.

The coalition of bustling bench builders convened at 10 a.m. on a cheery Friday morning. After a safety briefing by Gaither, they set out from the East Trailhead. Six volunteers traveled by foot, while Cory Enger, a Recreation Technician with the SNG, steered a Utility-Terrain Vehicle filled with various tools and assorted supplies. The bench parts had been deposited at the four select sites in advance.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, burning brighter and radiating increasingly intense heat as the day proceeded, the bench builders moved from site to site along the trail, assembling and placing four pews in just over five hours.

Upon arrival at each locale, the Gaither and Enger swiftly cleared vegetation from around a designated spot. Aidan McCarty, a temporarily detailed Sheyenne District Ranger here, joined in the excavation ex*****on, aiding (Aidan…ing?) his colleagues to bore three postholes into the earth. The goal depth was 18 inches, which they achieved quickly using a gas-powered auger (a tool resembling a large drill) first, followed by a posthole digger and shovel.

Meanwhile, other team members began assembling the benches by bolting eight six-foot-long recycled composite planks to the three galvanized steel frames, each replete with a three-foot post extending from the base. Once fully formed, together they bench-lifted the 200+ pound structure upright and lowered the groundward-facing post protrusions down into the pits. Using a bubble-level tool, the seat was determined uniformly horizontal. Next, each post was secured by filling the holes with 60 pounds of concrete and subsequently covered with excavated dirt.

A drill-wielding volunteer affixed a metal dedication plaque to the back of each bench, crediting the DPC-NCTA for the bench emplacement. Additionally, a temporary laminated sign was taped to the front of the bench, giving notice that the wet cement required two days to solidify before the seats were available to accommodate temporary trail-traverser time-outs.

After a long, hot, productive day's work in the sun and occasional shade by random tree groupings, the group convened at the trailhead for an after-action review to discuss their experiences and impressions. The unanimous consensus was that they had each made a measurable and meaningful contribution to the popular public recreation area, recognizing there was nary a bench warmer in the group.

Brianna Wegner, a DPC-NCTA volunteer, noted why she elected to partake in the enterprise and the value she and her fellow collaborators brought to the verdant venture. "It's the volunteers who help keep the trail usable for everybody. And we’re just trying to give back to the community."

McCarty echoed Wegner’s thoughts, adding, "It's about the community. People helping each other out. That's the best of this, honestly. Volunteers, people who actually use the trail all the time, it's nice. You can tell how much they appreciate the trail, and that's why we do this as public servants. I'd say that's the best part of it."

Epilogue: As the fellowship of the ringed trail disbanded, the cement (and sentiment) holding the partnership between the DPG and DPC-NCTA is equally as solid as the cohesive properties securing the scenic site seats in the soil. Moreover, each bench mensch who partook surely felt a tad weary in body from the day's exertions.

Yet, these magnificent seven had every reason to stand tall, surely bolstered by pride deep down within their spirits. They shared something of themselves that day. More than just time and energy. Rather, they provided a selfless service in fulfilling the unspoken wishes of future weary trail travelers who may gladly gaze upon the freshly placed grassland grandstands with a subtle cry of relief.

Behold! Beckoning benches inviting them to take a well-deserved breather and to revel, even for a moment, in the “peaceful, quiet, and different” beauty that surrounds them. Nature is life. An ongoing event not to be missed. Here, now, are front-row seats.

Are you looking to get off the metaphorical bench? Want to connect with others for a group hike or lend a hand on a trail project with the DPC-NCTA? Then check out their website: https://northcountrytrail.org/trail/north-dakota/dpc/

Interested in exploring the inviting, picturesque Dakota Prairie Grasslands but don’t have all the answers about where to go and things to do? You may have questions and need the contact information of one of our office locations. Find these and much more when you visit the DPG website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/dpg