Unveil the Wonders of the Sandhills Refuges
The Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association supports refuge projects through volunteering, donations, and grants, enriching the community’s connection to nature.

We support the Fort Niobrara, Valentine,
and Seier National Wildlife Refuges.
The Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association is a 501c3 non-profit Refuge Friends organization supporting scientific, educational, and historic projects on the Sandhills Refuges.
SPRA is one of 230 Friends organizations that work in support of national wildlife refuges across the nation with 36,000 volunteers contributing 1.4 million hours a year to the Refuge System.
Learn more about Friends organizations here!
Since 1992 The Sandhills Prairie Reserve Association (SPRA) relies on the membership who generously dedicate their time and resources. These contributions are essential for the SPRA to effectively support the conservation efforts of the Sandhills Refuges.
SPRA is governed by a board of directors who formulate and budget an annual plan of operations that includes projects such as trail repairs, interpretive signs, staffing for the visitor center, turtle fence repair, volunteer support, open house, bird walks, nature speakers, and much more!
Get involved and volunteer for the refuge.
Here are a few examples of how SPRA supports our area refuges!

Celebrating National Trails Day by making repairs to the Marsh Lakes Overlook Trail.

Assist with carp control research on Clear Lake.

Volunteers dig out possibly the world’s only turtle underpass.

A budding biologists learns about owl food habits at an open house.

Become a member
For as little as $10 a year you can become a member of SPRA and show your support for prairie conservation. Membership benefits include:
- Our quarterly newsletter
- Invitations to exclusive events
- The satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference
To join, please visit our membership page or contact us for more information.
Donate
Your financial support is more critical than ever to make sure these irreplaceable sanctuaries continue to thrive for generations to come.
Donations of any size help us:
Educate the public
Protect critical prairie habitats
Restore degraded ecosystems
Support scientific research

Reach Out for More Information