Event Calendar & Registration

The Black Hills Parks and Forests Association (BHPFA) offers a diverse range of events and programs designed to connect individuals and families with the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Black Hills region. Their events calendar provides up-to-date information on upcoming activities, including workshops, guided hikes, educational programs, and special events. Whether you’re interested in enhancing your outdoor skills, participating in nature connection workshops, or joining our special events for women and girls, the BHPFA events calendar is a valuable resource for planning your next adventure.

	May 2025
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
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4 Field Notes Presentation \| Lost Cabin Beer Co., Rapid City, SD Field Notes Presentation \| Lost Cabin Beer Co., Rapid City, SD May 4, 2025 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lost Cabin Beer Co., 1401 W Omaha St #3, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA Field Note Presentations: Black Hills Parks and Forests Association invites you to this presentation that will ignite your curiosity and spark your sense of wonder! Through pictures, videos, and stories, you’ll have the chance to learn about naturalist skills, tracking, survival techniques, and gain a deeper insight into our local flora and fauna. Test your knowledge as we dive into questions about the natural world and uncover the hidden meanings behind animal signs and calls! Plus, we’ll share how you can support our public lands alongside the Black Hills Parks & Forests Association! Learn more about our programs here! See more details •	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12 Field Notes Presentation \| The Trailhouse, Custer, SD Field Notes Presentation \| The Trailhouse, Custer, SD May 12, 2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm The Trailhouse, 148 Gordon St, Custer, SD 57730, USA Field Note Presentations: Black Hills Parks and Forests Association invites you to this presentation that will ignite your curiosity and spark your sense of wonder! Through pictures, videos, and stories, you’ll have the chance to learn about naturalist skills, tracking, survival techniques, and gain a deeper insight into our local flora and fauna. Test your knowledge as we dive into questions about the natural world and uncover the hidden meanings behind animal signs and calls! Plus, we’ll share how you can support our public lands alongside the Black Hills Parks & Forests Association! Learn more about our programs here! See more details •	13	14	15	16	17 Voices of Nature \| Wind Cave National Park Voices of Nature \| Wind Cave National Park May 17, 2025 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center, 26611 US-385, Hot Springs, SD 57747, USA This is a paid workshop, registration required. Voices of Nature: Decoding Animal Communication Have you ever wondered how to tell if a hawk or coyote is near, or when a deer is quietly slipping away, just by listening to the sounds of nature? In this course, participants will learn how to tune into animals’ communication systems to understand what’s happening around them—even when the creatures are out of sight. Discover how to interpret the calls, movements, and behaviors of wildlife, and gain the ability to detect nearby predators, prey, and other species. You’ll also learn techniques for moving through nature without alerting wildlife, allowing you to observe animals you might have otherwise missed. This class is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, from naturalists to hunters and photographers. Families and individuals of all ages are welcome to join and connect with the wild world around them See more details Family Nature Club \| Scotts Bluff NM Family Nature Club \| Scotts Bluff NM May 17, 2025 10:00 am - 11:30 am Scotts Bluff National Monument, 190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341, USA Family Nature Club is a monthly program that encourages families to explore the natural world together. Each month features a different interactive program with outdoor games and activities, perfect for all ages! Families receive an Exploration Kit to investigate nature, encouraging you to spend time outdoors together. Each session is held 10 - 11:30 a.m. Register Your Family via https://bit.ly/bcr-nefamily25 *Registration is required, unless otherwise noted. March 29 - Tracks, Scats & Signs, Oh My! April 26 - Nebraska’s Animal All-Stars May 17 - Fun with Our Feathered Friends Family Nature Club is intended for children and their grownups. Each family group will receive an Exploration Kit to use during the series to explore the natural world around them at home. Family Nature Club will be outside the entire time unless otherwise noted. Please dress comfortably for the weather and bring snacks/water as needed. Family Nature Club will be gathering at the Scotts Bluff National Monument, 190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341. For more information call 308-633-1013. All are welcome. Our community of practice is to be an organization that empowers people of all backgrounds, beliefs, colors, and creeds to join in, benefit from, and contribute to our mission. We strive to ensure everyone feels safe and included at our programs and events, and can find a place for themselves in nature. See more details • •
18	19	20	21	22	23 Leave No Trace Spotlight \| Nebraska National F&G Leave No Trace Spotlight \| Nebraska National F&G May 23, 2025 - May 25, 2025 Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District, 40637 River Loop, Halsey, NE 69142, USA Join Leave No Trace at Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District, NE – May 23-25, 2025 Each year we hand-select nominated outdoor spaces that need our collective care and attention. By designating them as Spotlights, we’re rallying the local community to step up, join forces with Leave No Trace, and make a meaningful impact that can revitalize and protect these special places where we recreate, enjoy one another’s company, and elevate our health physically, mentally and emotionally. Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District has been selected as a 2025 Leave No Trace Spotlight. Leave No Trace will be at Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District May 23-25, collaborating with hosts and partners on a variety of programs including stewardship projects, workshops, and community outreach. More info/schedule coming soon! See more details •	24 Leave No Trace Spotlight \| Nebraska National F&G Leave No Trace Spotlight \| Nebraska National F&G May 23, 2025 - May 25, 2025 Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District, 40637 River Loop, Halsey, NE 69142, USA Join Leave No Trace at Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District, NE – May 23-25, 2025 Each year we hand-select nominated outdoor spaces that need our collective care and attention. By designating them as Spotlights, we’re rallying the local community to step up, join forces with Leave No Trace, and make a meaningful impact that can revitalize and protect these special places where we recreate, enjoy one another’s company, and elevate our health physically, mentally and emotionally. Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District has been selected as a 2025 Leave No Trace Spotlight. Leave No Trace will be at Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District May 23-25, collaborating with hosts and partners on a variety of programs including stewardship projects, workshops, and community outreach. More info/schedule coming soon! See more details •
25 Leave No Trace Spotlight \| Nebraska National F&G Leave No Trace Spotlight \| Nebraska National F&G May 23, 2025 - May 25, 2025 Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District, 40637 River Loop, Halsey, NE 69142, USA Join Leave No Trace at Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District, NE – May 23-25, 2025 Each year we hand-select nominated outdoor spaces that need our collective care and attention. By designating them as Spotlights, we’re rallying the local community to step up, join forces with Leave No Trace, and make a meaningful impact that can revitalize and protect these special places where we recreate, enjoy one another’s company, and elevate our health physically, mentally and emotionally. Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District has been selected as a 2025 Leave No Trace Spotlight. Leave No Trace will be at Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District May 23-25, collaborating with hosts and partners on a variety of programs including stewardship projects, workshops, and community outreach. More info/schedule coming soon! See more details •	26	27	28	29 Field Notes Presentation \| Custer County Library, Custer, SD Field Notes Presentation \| Custer County Library, Custer, SD May 29, 2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Custer County Library, 447 Crook St #4, Custer, SD 57730, USA Field Note Presentations: Black Hills Parks and Forests Association invites you to this presentation that will ignite your curiosity and spark your sense of wonder! Through pictures, videos, and stories, you’ll have the chance to learn about naturalist skills, tracking, survival techniques, and gain a deeper insight into our local flora and fauna. Test your knowledge as we dive into questions about the natural world and uncover the hidden meanings behind animal signs and calls! Plus, we’ll share how you can support our public lands alongside the Black Hills Parks & Forests Association! Learn more about our programs here! See more details •	30	31 The Space Between Spaces a 2016 Thru-hike of the Great Plains Trail \| Scotts Bluff NM The Space Between Spaces a 2016 Thru-hike of the Great Plains Trail \| Scotts Bluff NM May 31, 2025 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center, 190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341, USA Join Luke "Strider" Jordan with the Great Plains Trail Alliance to hear a story about a his journey over the Great Plains Trail, what he calls America’s “Next Great Adventure”. It's a story of perseverance to overcome obstacles and to continue on in the pursuit of achieving goals, including his efforts to establish the next long-distance trail. Follow along as he traverses this trail of great potential and surprising scenery from the Chihuahuan Desert in West Texas to the Canadian Border. The Great Plains Trail is a 2200-mile long vision to connect the scenic highlights of the High Plains region with a continuous walking/biking/riding(horseback) route. Efforts have been underway in the area to establish new off-road trail segments where possible, produce wayfinding signage, increase accessibility with better mapping efforts and establish partnerships with land managers and the local communities. More information about the Great Plains Trail Alliance can be found at their website at www.greatplainstrail.org or Facebook page www.facebook.com/people/Great-Plains-Trail-Alliance/100064319216123/. See more details •

May 2025

Field Note Presentations:

Field Note Presentations:

This is a paid workshop, registration required.

Voices of Nature: Decoding Animal Communication

Field Note Presentations:

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