(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted to the Patriot by the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge).

The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of Sherburne will be having their 27th Annual Wildlife Festival today, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The public of all ages are invited to this free, family-friendly event at the Oak Savanna Learning Center. This event honors National Wildlife Refuge Week (Oct. 9th-15th), Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day (Oct. 8th) and National Public Lands Day (Sept. 24th).

At the festival, one can enjoy multiple wildlife booths set along the packed granite trails. Make sure to check out the engaging, hands-on activities at each booth; meet Puddles the Blue Goose, learn about refuge wildlife and management, try one’s hand at a BB gun, experience native seed cleaning, observe live animals, learn about Native American culture, investigate aquatic invertebrates, test one’s home water nitrate levels and more! (If one wants to try nitrate testing, make sure to bring at least one-half cup of water in any type of clean container. For the best sample, allow your water to run five to ten minutes before filling the jar.)

For more information, visit the website at www.fws.gov/refuge/sherburne/ or contact Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District at 763-220-3434.

The Eagle’s Nest Nature Store will be open, featuring a variety of books, clothing, jewelry and gifts. The Friends will hold a silent auction indoors with bidding open until 1:30 p.m. 

Several refuge service roads can be accessed by vehicles from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide visitors a rare opportunity to see areas of the refuge that are not typically open to vehicle traffic. Maps of these service roads can be found on the refuge website at www.fws.gov/refuge/sherburne/ and the Welcome Booth on the day of the event.

With all this excitement, one might end uphungry, so feel free to grab a bite from two local food trucks that will have food at a reasonable price.

The Oak Savanna Learning Center is located ¼ mile west of Refuge headquarters off Sherburne Co. Rd. 9 at 16797 289th Ave NW, Zimmerman, MN 55398 — look for event signs. For more information, contact Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge at 763-389-3323, sherburne@fws.gov or www.fws.gov/refuge/sherburne.

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 762-389-3323, TTY 800-877-8339. Submit one’s request by close of business on Sept. 23, 2022.

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.

For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.