BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition are excited to announce a conservation-focused bus tour as part of this year’s Duck Day in Wallace.
Duck Day is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 9, 2025, with activities for all ages. The bus tour is from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. CDT, leaving from the Wallace Community Center. It is free to attend, but registration is requested. To register, contact Jan Rounds or visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “Wallace”.
The bus tour will traverse grassland and wetland landscapes on the way to the Eck Grassland Habitat Restoration Project on the shores of Warner Lake. After the tour, the bus will return to Wallace so participants can enjoy other Duck Day festivities.
Tour participants will move from the bus to open trailers at the site and should dress according to the weather. While there, guests can hear from the host landowner and habitat professionals as they discuss what is involved in collaborative restoration, including preparing the ground, seed mixes, planting and how to use management tools like fire, mowing and grazing.
Duck Day is being held in honor of local artist Adam Grimm, who won the federal duck stamp contest, which is meant to raise funds and awareness for waterfowl habitat and conservation.
In addition to the bus tour, Duck Day will feature Grimm’s artwork and fun, educational booths at the Wallace Community Center and throughout the downtown area. There will also be scheduled showings of “Million Dollar Duck”, a documentary about six wildlife artists, including Grimm, who competed in the duck stamp contest.
There will be live ducks, courtesy of Second Chance Flight, a new non-profit organization based out of Wallace that assists area farmers and ranchers in rescuing eggs and ducklings.
Other planned activities include contests, games, a bouncy house and coloring contests. The day will also feature educational opportunities for all, including outreach booths by the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, SDSU Extension and other conservation organizations.
“SDSU Extension field specialists from the Watertown Regional Center are excited to promote this cooperative event that celebrates the vibrancy of South Dakota’s rural communities and the opportunities they provide, as well as our livestock, hunting and grassland heritage,” said Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension Natural Resources and Wildlife Field Specialist.
For more information, contact Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension Natural Resources and Wildlife Field Specialist.
