Upcoming Events
Click Here for Refuge COVID-19 Info. Many events will be postponed or cancelled.
Whether it's a sandhill crane tour, moonlight ski, wildflower tour, or a kids photography workshop there's something for everyone at the refuge.
Refuge sponsored events can be found on the 2020 event calendar. All events hosted by the refuge are FREE and open to the public!
In addition to supporting refuge events, Friends of Sherburne hosts a variety of our own events. The following are the annual events that we organize and host. Save the dates!
April 23, 2020
POSPONED Friends Read - The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
Date to be determined.
The Friends of Sherburne NWR are excited to invite you to the next Friends Read on Date TBD at the Oak Savanna Learning Center from 6:30 - 8 pm. Detailed information in the linked flyer.
We'll be discussing the book, The Hidden Life of Trees . In this international bestseller, forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: living together, communicating, sharing nutrients, and even warning each other of impending dangers. After learning about the complex life of trees, the woods will never be the same again.
May 09, 2020
Bird Tour - Mahnomen Trail
Join us at the Mahnomen Trail parking lot for a family-friendly bird hike. Meet at 8:00 am and we'll try to finish around 10:00. Led by volunteer Steve Chesney. Binoculars provided.
Photo by Ran Taube
May 13, 2020
Sherburne Photography Club
6:30 pm social time and 7:00 pm meeting.
Guest speaker this month is John Pennoyer, a professional nature photographer. John captures extraordinary images of wildlife andthe landscapes they call home. He will be sharing tools and techniques to photograph wildlife (see his web page at https://www.impressionsofnature.net/).
Members share a common interest in nature and photography at Sherburne NWR and nearby natural areas. This is a volunteer-led, member-driven club. We’ll discuss our interests, plan field trips, educational programs and more. We meet the second Wednesday of every month at the Oak Savanna Learning Center to share our latest photos and learn and discuss photography techniques. Kids are welcome with adults. No dues required.
Photo by David Halgrimson.
May 16, 2020
Spring Celebration & Friends Plant Sale
From 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Oak Savanna Learning Center (16797 289th Ave NW
Zimmerman). Photo by Bruce Ellingson.
May 16, 2020
Bird Tour - Blue Hill Trail
Join us at the Blue Hill Trail parking lot for a family-friendly bird hike. Meet at 8:00 am and we'll try to finish around 10:00. Led by volunteer Dan Orr. Binoculars provided.
Photo by Pamela Walz.
May 23, 2020
Photography Tour
10 am - 12 pm meet at the Wildlife Drive Welcome Station (the rest stop).
Photo by Jennifer Schmidt.
June 13, 2020
Photography Tour
10 am - 12 pm meet at the Wildlife Drive Welcome Station (the rest stop).
Photo by Lance Matka
June 13, 2020
Wildflower Tour
10 am - 12 pm meet at the Oak Savanna Learning Center (16797 289th Ave NW, Zimmerman.)
Photo by John Alexander Kay.
June 27, 2020
Rhythm and Brews (Wine, Beer and Music)
Join the Friends and others at this joint fundraiser for the Friends of Sherburne NWR and the Sherburne History Center. The fun starts at 7:00 pm at the Pizza Pub in Princeton (202 N. Rum River Drive). Tickets $25 in advance and $30 at the door. See the flyer for more information (including how to get tickets).
August 22, 2020
Bird Tour - Mahnomen Trail
Join us at the Mahnomen Trail parking lot for a family-friendly bird hike . Meet at 8:00 am and we'll try to finish around 10:00. Led by volunteer Milt Blomberg. Binoculars provided.
Photo by John Alexander Kay
August 29, 2020
Bird Tour - Blue Hill Trail
Join us at the Blue Hill Trail parking lot for a family-friendly bird hike. Meet at 8:00 am and we'll try to finish around 10:00. Led by volunteer Craig Mandel. Binolculars provided.
Photo by Pamela Walz.
September 12, 2020
Wildflower Tour
10 am - 12 pm meet at the Oak Savanna Learning Center (16797 289th Ave NW, Zimmerman.)
Photo by John Alexander Kay.
September 26, 2020
2020 Wildlife Festival
10 am - 3 pm at the Oak Savanna Learning Center (16797 289th Ave NW Zimmerman.) Photo by Bruce Ellingson.
October 09, 2020
2020 Youth Photo Contest Entries Due
Any student from kindergarten through grade 12 may enter the 6th Annual Refuge Youth Photography Contest. Kids can submit one photo, taken on the refuge (during daylight hours and in an area open to the public), and be eligible to win prizes. Photos are due on October 9 with winners announced at a special awards ceremony on November 18. Click here to go to the Just for Kids page on the refuge website to find links to
(1) a contest flyer with more details
(2) a photo release form,
(3) tips and tricks for young photographers.
Good luck, kids!
Photo: Diana Doherty
November 19, 2020
Youth Photo Contest Awards Ceremony
Entries Due October 9. Photo by Jana Harrer.
January 14, 2021
Save the Date - Annual Meeting
All members are invited to the annual meeting where we discuss the accomplishments and plans for both the refuge as a whole and the Friends.
Time to Celebrate!
In 2018 the Friends organization is celebrating its 25th anniversary!
Since our founding in 1993, the Friends have been working to develop an appreciation for and the conservation of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.
From our early days of supporting Environmental Education Days and providing visitor enhancements on Wildlife Drive to the opening of the Oak Savanna Learning Center, we’ve remained focused on providing nature education for youth and adults.
1965
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is established through vision of local sportsmen.
1993
Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is founded.
1998
Environmental Education Days student curriculum (developed at the Refuge) attracts national attention.
1999
Friends fund educational signage, observation decks and informational kiosks on the Wildlife Drive.
The quest for a learning center begins.
2013
After years of advocacy, a learning center is green-lighted by the USFWS.
2014
2016
Ground is broken for the Oak Savanna Learning Center.
Friends achieve the fundraising goal to furnish the learning center and the opening of the Oak Savanna Learning Center is celebrated by all.
2017
Over 2,100 student visitors and nearly 6,000 total visitors pass through the doors of the Oak Savanna Learning Center.
Photo by: Randy Baum