Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center Inc

A nonprofit organization

$2,280 raised by 21 donors

5% complete

$50,000 Goal

“Cold makes me think how lucky I am. It’s such a great feeling - I can’t explain it. I come here, go outside, 

and I feel a lot better. I love this place.” – Prairie Science 5th Grader


Help us connect people with nature in this unique and beautiful area!

In the early 1970s, local conservationists first envisioned an environmental learning center for the Prairie Pothole Region. With the support of these and other partners,* the Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center was established in 1989 to make this vision a reality.  

Located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, this environmental education facility is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Over 350 acres of native and restored prairie and wetlands can be found at the PWLC.  With nearly four miles of foot trails, there are ample opportunities for wildlife observation and relaxation. 

The Center offers a unique partnership with the Fergus Falls School District by hosting students who attend Prairie Science classes. Experienced teachers along with FWS naturalists specialize in providing fourth and fifth graders with hands-on, outdoor learning that emphasizes observation, journaling, and study of this prairie pothole setting. Other area school districts provide field trips to the PWLC for their students with the Friends' nonprofit raising funds for “The Yellow Bus Fund” helping to subsidize bus transportation costs. Children learn how to tag monarch butterflies and band ducks furnishing helpful data for research about these migrating species. They collect seeds from native prairie plants, nurturing them in the on-site greenhouse for later planting at the PWLC. To assist with this purpose, the Friends employ a greenhouse naturalist funded by the generosity of sponsors and donors. In addition, the Center hosts summer teacher workshops and biology camps for students with the FPWLC administering registrations and supplying learning materials. Special outreach events hosted by The Friends offer opportunities for children and adults to celebrate the cultural and natural history of the prairie and to investigate the wonders of our wetlands.  

The Friends of PWLC are working hard to uphold our mission to support the work and events at PWLC. This year our greatest funding need is to sustain our part time employees who give so much to the Center, its visitors, and its students. Any donations this year will help our staff support the Prairie Science Class and provide programming and education to visiting groups who come to learn at the Prairie.

Thanks for considering a generous gift to the 

Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center 

during this Give to the Max season of giving!

 

“The lasting pleasures of contact with the natural world are not reserved 

for scientists but are available to anyone who will place himself 

under the influence of earth, sea, and sky and their amazing life.” 

-- Rachel Carson, author and naturalist

 Rachel Carson, from The Sense of Wonder: A Celebration of Nature for Parents and Children. (1956; reprinted, illustrated, 2017, Harper Collins, p. 65) 


*U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minnesota State Legislature, and local School District #544


Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center Inc

Tax id (EIN)

41-1699443

Categories

Education Environment Animals

Address

Friends of PWLC 602 State Highway 210 East
Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Phone

(218) 736-0938