Minnesota Waterfowl Association

 Prairie Pothole Day is September 10, 2011.  The annual fundraiser for the Prairie Pothole Chapter of the Minnesota Waterfowl Association will once again be taking palce at Stoney Ridge Farm, just outside New London, MN.  This is by far the Chapters largest event each year with 3500 patrons descending on the farmstead to play games, learn about the environment, and may win a raffle prize or two.

 Kids have been a focus of Prairie Pothole Day activies since 1983 and this year is no exception.  Returning for another year is the wildly popular rock climbing wall where kids can try and scale the wall to ring a bell.  Scared of heights? No problem, kids can try thier hands at the archery or BB ranges.  Looking for a bit more challange kids can step into the barn and try thier hand at simulated trap and skeet.  Educational opportunies abound with volunteers from the Wood Duck Society, MN DNR, USFW, and Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center on hand to discuss habitat conservation and restoration in the Prairie Pothole Region of Minnesota.

 Prairie Pothole Day has something for everyone.  Want to learn about wetland ecology then stop down by the lake.  Want to learn about oak savannahs then take the prairie woods walk.  Need to make some noise then bring your gun and try and break some pigeons on the sproring clays, trap, or 5-stand courses.  Too noisy, bring your bow and walk the 3D archery trail.  Hungry after all the games, have lunch on the grounds before you visit the educational and vendor booths that line the farmyard.

Prairie Pothole Day was started by a group of avid waterfowlers who wanted to protect and restore local wetlands.  So it only made sense that thier four-legged hunting buddies would show up and want to play games.  This year the dock jump will be making a return.  Wildy popular with the crowd this is chance for you pup to get some big air.  Up for a challenge, the let your dog work in the pond where we simulate hunting situations.  Singles, doubles, land-water-land, poison birds... We'll set up just about any retrieve for you and your partner.