Sign-ups will officially open on June 28th at 9 PDT/ 11 CDT/ 12 EDT. Activities without signup limits are available now. Need help? The Summit Handbook and our pick a hike guide are helpful resources! Email [email protected] with additional questions or message us in Sched!
Session availability is subject to change due to weather, availability, and interest. Classes with fewer than 5 participants are subject to cancellation.
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Kick off the 2026 Black Hills Summit with our opening program. During the opening program, we will review and highlight some of the week's programming, introduce our faculty, and review some important logistical information- like where and when is breakfast? Aaron Douglass, a Custer State Park naturalist, will join us to introduce the park that will be our home for the week: its native species, safety tips (what should I do if I see a bison?), a brief history of the park.
Saturday August 1, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm MDT Event Barn
Join us for a captivating, two-part evening exploring one of the world's most vital yet endangered ecosystems: our grasslands. This interactive program kicks off with kid-friendly activities and education designed to connect younger audiences to nature, followed by an in-depth presentation and conversation tailored for adults and older youth. We will then discuss the global state of grassland ecosystems, the origins of American Prairie, their ecological restoration work (including bison), their partner programs such as science work with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, their Field School, and collaborations with Indigenous communities, and our Wild Sky program that works with neighbors to support conservation practices and habitat.
The kid portion of the evening program will last approximately 20 minutes. We will take a short break to allow families with young children to leave before continuing the presentation.
Sunday August 2, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm MDT Event Barn
