Wildlife Forever to Launch Groundbreaking Project in Red River Valley
White Bear Lake, MN – Wildlife Forever and the United Prairie Foundation have launched a new program that connects students and the community to an outdoor educational prairie classroom on school grounds. Funding from the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) will help develop the Educational Prairie Trail™ program at the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School (DGF), in Glyndon, Minnesota.
“This partnership between United Prairie Foundation, Wildlife Forever, DGF, and BWSR will create an active space for learning about prairie and pollinators, their habitat needs, and ecological benefits for the community,” said Pat Conzemius, President & CEO, Wildlife Forever.
The Educational Prairie Trail™ project is the first nongovernmental organization funded project from BWSR. The project will restore four acres of native prairie on the school grounds, including student-planted gardens and native trees and shrub plantings. A community trail through the restored prairie will feature interpretive signage, learning spaces, and be accessible to the public.
A new educational curriculum will also be developed to engage students in the study of prairie ecosystems, conservation, and sustainable land stewardship. Through the school’s National FFA Organization club, native seeds will be harvested and grown, promoting student ownership, hands-on learning, and opportunities for community expansion.
“We are thrilled to bring this project to a school that has shown great interest in prairie and pollinator conservation. With all our partners working together, we’re teaching the next generation and working to make prairie common again,” said John DeVries, President, United Prairie Foundation.
The Educational Prairie Trail at the DGF School is expected to be completed in 2026.
For more information about the Educational Prairie Trail project, please contact Patrice Delaney, Senior Biologist, United Prairie Foundation at 218-443-0453 or patty1delaney@aol.com.
About the United Prairie Foundation
The United Prairie Foundation, based in Sheldon, ND, is a nonprofit conservation organization working to restore native prairie ecosystems across the Red River Valley and Prairie Pothole Region. Through education, outreach, and hands-on restoration projects, the United Prairie Foundation is committed to fostering a deeper understanding of prairie landscapes and their ecological importance.
About the MN BWSR Pollinator Pathways Program
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources’ Pollinator Pathways program supports initiatives that create and enhance habitats for pollinators while promoting education and conservation awareness across the state of Minnesota.