The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is hosting the annual Bison Day this weekend. All ages are welcome to spend a day on the prairie and discover the wonders of the animals on Saturday, August 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Activities include live music, blacksmith presentations, a wildflower walk, Tallgrass Trail hike, three bus tours, Laura Ingalls Wilder program, monarch program, bison program, and a bison chip throwing contest. There will be a Nature Tots program at 10:30 a.m. for three to five-year olds. Registration is required for a narrated bus tour along the wildlife drive at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.

Learn from the many exhibitors throughout the day including: music, quilters, spinners, nature organizations, Science Center of Iowa, Living History Farms, the Blank Park Zoo and others. Throughout the day, visitors can tour the bison and elk enclosure, see live bison, and even listen in on a talk from a biologist to learn all about the herd at the Neal Smith Refuge. At 2:00 p.m., the bison chip-throwing contest will complete the day’s activities with prizes for each of the winners. All of these activities are free and open to the public. Lunch will be available for purchase. For more information about the event or to register for a bus tour, contact Doreen Van Ryswyk at 515-994-3400 or Doreen_vanryswyk@fws.gov.