NGVC Celebrating 30 Years; Renovation Work; Interpretive Programs
The National Grasslands Visitor Center (NGVC) will be celebrating it’s 30 year anniversary in a big way this summer. For the past three decades the NGVC has been inspiring visitors by telling the story of America’s Grasslands. The NGVC plans to celebrate this milestone by hosting a Grand Re-opening on Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday, August 9th. There will be a ribbon cutting event with members from the City of Wall and the Wall Badlands Area Chamber of Commerce, desserts, special activities, and a cake provided by Black Hills Parks and Forests Association for Smokey’s Birthday. Throughout the day Smokey Bear will be making appearances.
The Grand Re-opening comes after renovations closed the NGVC temporarily. The most recent renovation occurred after the NGVC received funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). GAOA was established to help with improvements to existing infrastructure on federal public lands. The exterior improvements include a small shaded amphitheater, animal trackway in the walkways leading up to the NGVC, a fossil exhibit wall, new interpretive signage, and native plants added to the landscaping. Most of the work is set to be completed this month with some of the exhibits and signage still in the development phase. The NGVC is set to be open to the public starting Friday, July 19th.
In addition to the Grand Reopening the NGVC has programs and special events planned throughout the remainder of the summer. Jr. Ranger Days are one of the events planned, each Jr. Ranger Day will highlight a specialist field found within the US Forest Service. There will be special guests, activities for kids of all ages, interpretive Ranger Programs, and a Jr. Ranger Badge to be earned. The dates for the Jr. Ranger Days are on the following Saturdays:
July 27th – Jr. Archaeologist Day
August 3rd – Jr. Botanist Day
August 10th – Jr. Wildlife Firefighter Day
August 17th – Jr. Wildlife Biologist Day
August 24th – Jr. Paleontologist Day
Throughout the summer the NGVC Interpretive Rangers have been hosting an Atlatl Program at Pinnacles Designated Dispersed Camping Area on Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Through this ranger led program participants learn about survival on the Grasslands and how an ancient hunting tool evolved. After the program participants have an opportunity to try their hand at using an atlatl, a spear throwing device. This program occurs every Friday night at 7 PM with the last program being on September 6th. Pinnacles Dispersed Camping Area is located approximately 7 miles south of Wall, SD immediately off Highway 240. The location of the presentation is near the communication towers at the intersection of Forest System Road (FSR) 7170 and FSR 7158. GPS coordinates: 43.893234, -102.229143
The NGVC continues to have a strong partnership with Badlands National Park and provides an interpretive program every Monday night for their Evening Program series at Cedar Pass Amphitheater. Interpretive Programs presented by NGVC’s Interpretive Rangers range in topics, some of the program topics covered this year have been about how cloning efforts are helping restore the Black-footed ferret populations, how native grassland plants helped people survive, the life of a bison within the Great Plains ecosystem, and how night skies connect us to our past and present. The start time of the Evening Program varies throughout the summer to accommodate the changing time of sunset, but typically starts around 9:00 PM (May-July) or 8:30 PM (August-September) in the summer season. Cedar Pass Amphitheater is located within Badlands National Park. It is approximately 29 miles from Wall, SD, and approximately ¼ mile from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center within Badlands National Park.
NGVC Interpretive Rangers will offer daily programs at the center. These programs include a formal interpretive presentation in the theater room, patio talks in the Living Landscape, and programs in the amphitheater just outside the building. For more information on the National Grasslands Visitor Center, interpretive programs, and special events please contact them at 605-279-2125 or visit them at 708 Main Street, Wall, SD 57790.