July 8, 2026:
The National Grasslands Visitor Center (NGVC) is partnering with the community of Wall, South Dakota, for this year’s Wall Celebration. As part of the festivities, the NGVC is highlighting 30 years of successful reintroduction and recovery of the endangered black-footed Ferret—North America’s only native ferret species. To commemorate three decades of returning this iconic animal to the wild, the NGVC will host a two-day, family-friendly event on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026.
Once thought to be extinct, North America’s black-footed ferrets have made a comeback on protected prairies such as South Dakota’s Buffalo Gap National Grassland. To celebrate this milestone, the U.S. Forest Service and conservation partners are hosting educational and interactive events for the public, including hosting a live black-footed ferret named Hoopla. Hoopla is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ black-footed Ferret Ambassador Program that aims to promote public awareness and conservation.
“Three decades of collaborative efforts have driven meaningful progress in restoring the black-footed ferret to the Buffalo Gap National Grassland,” said Wall Ranger District’s Wildlife Biologist Ashley Merkel. “As a key species essential to the health of the grassland ecosystems, the black-footed ferret’s recovery is a success for the entire prairie community. We are excited to invite the community to join us in celebrating 30 years of conservation milestones and to learn more about their history and how you can support their continued survival.”
The celebration schedule includes:
Friday, July 10:
- Starting at 8 a.m., Jr. Ranger Wildlife Biologist Day with U.S. Forest Service Wildlife Biologist Ashley Merkel and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Matt Schwarz at the National Grasslands Visitor Center
- 9 p.m., – Evening Program about Black-footed Ferrets at Badlands National Park’s Cedar Pass Amphitheater
Saturday, July 11:
- 10 a.m., Wall Celebration Parade with a Black-footed Ferret themed float on Wall’s Main Street
- Starting at 11 a.m., Live Black-footed Ferret, Hoopla, at the National Grasslands Visitor Center
- Face painting, craft station, games and other activities
- Adopt-a-Ferret Station from partner organization Black Hills Parks and Forests Association
- 12 p.m., Cake and ice cream while it lasts
- Starting at 1 p.m., Discussion forum led by Prairie Wildlife Research’s Travis Livieri on the history of the Black-footed ferret at Conata Basin Badlands, reflecting on the reintroduction, plague outbreaks, challenges, and successes at the National Grasslands Visitor Center Theater
In conjunction with the celebration, the Black-footed Ferret Poster Contest just ended, which invited K-12th grade students to create artwork. Artwork will be displayed in the NGVC’s Exhibit Room.
The National Grasslands Visitor Center located in Wall, S.D. introduces visitors to the 4 million acres of national grasslands and tallgrass prairie the U.S. Forest Service manages for public enjoyment and multiple sustainable uses.
For more information about the July 10-11 event please visit the events page at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/
June 12, 2026:
The National Grasslands Visitor Center (NGVC) will offer a variety of educational and family-friendly events this summer. The NGVC, located in Wall, South Dakota, represents all the national grasslands and the one national tallgrass prairie managed by the U.S. Forest Service. In addition to this year’s summer programs, the NGVC will host a celebration recognizing 30 years of black-footed‑ ferret conservation.
The NGVC’s Junior Ranger Days will take place later this summer. Each Junior Ranger Day will highlight a specialty field found within the U.S. Forest Service. Events will include special guests, activities for kids of all ages and a limited-edition Junior Ranger patch available only on that date. Junior Ranger Days will be held on the following Fridays: July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31 and Aug. 7.
The National Grasslands Visitor Center in Wall, SD.
U.S. Forest Service Photo.
NGVC interpretive rangers will host an Atlatl Program once a month at the Pinnacles Designated Dispersed Camping Area on Buffalo Gap National Grassland. During this ranger-led program, participants will learn about survival on the grasslands and how an ancient hunting tool evolved. After the program, participants will have an opportunity to try using an atlatl, a spear throwing device. This program occurs on the second Friday of each month at 6 p.m. Program dates are: June 12, July 10, Aug. 7 and Sept. 11. The Pinnacles Dispersed Camping Area is located‑ approximately 7 miles south of Wall, S.D., off Highway 240. The presentation site is near the communication towers at the intersection of Forest System Road 7170 and Forest System Road 7158. GPS coordinates: 43.893234, -102.229143.
The NGVC continues its strong partnership with Badlands National Park and provides an interpretive program every other Monday night for the park’s Evening Program series at Cedar Pass Amphitheater. Programs presented by NGVC interpretive rangers cover a range of topics, including efforts to help restore black-footed ferret populations, how native grassland plants supported people’s survival, the life of a bison in the Great Plains ecosystem, and the role of keystone species as ecosystem engineers. Start times vary throughout the summer based on sunset but typically begin around 9 p.m. (May–July) or 8:30 p.m. (August–September). Cedar Pass Amphitheater is located within Badlands National Park, approximately 29 miles from Wall and about one quarter‑ mile from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
National Grasslands Visitor Center Interpretive Ranger shows an Atlatl Program participate how to throw an atlatl.
Photo courtesy of Nickie Wheeler.
In July, during Wall Celebration Days, the NGVC will host an event recognizing the endangered black-footed ferret (BFF). Thirty years ago, black-footed ferrets were reintroduced onto Buffalo Gap National Grassland, where a successful population continues today. Activities will begin Friday, July 10, with a Wildlife Biologist Junior Ranger Day and a black-footed ferret presentation during Badlands National Park’s Summer Evening Program. On Saturday, July 11, the NGVC will open for a special event featuring a live black-footed ferret named Hoopla. Hoopla is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s ambassador ferret program. Because black-footed ferrets are among North America’s most endangered mammals, they are rarely seen in the wild, and the ambassador program offers a rare opportunity to view one up close. The day will include activities and a discussion forum led by Prairie Wildlife Research’s Travis Livieri on reintroduction efforts, plague management, challenges‑ and conservation successes. Typically closed on Saturdays, the NGVC will be open July 11 specifically for this event.
Black-footed Ferret on Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Photo courtesy of Travis Livieri.
All outdoor programs are weather dependent and may be canceled due to inclement weather.
More information about National Grasslands Visitor Center events is available on the event page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/nebraska/recreation/national-grasslands-visitor-center?utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email.
For additional information about the NGVC, interpretive programs or special events, call 605-279-2125 or visit 708 Main St., Wall, SD 57790, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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