VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – Valley City State University’s (VCSU) Prairie Waters Education and Research Center will be partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Valley City National Fish Hatchery and Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons in a new way this fall.

Starting in the fall of 2023, outdoor education activities offered by Prairie Waters will be hosted at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Valley City National Fish Hatchery. The Prairie Waters Education and Research Center is an outdoor environmental center that focuses on water and water quality issues. The organization provides activities and learning experiences for K-12 students across North Dakota.

The move will allow Prairie Waters to use the Hatchery Visitor’s Center and grounds as well as the Girl Scouts’ Camp Tonweya for educational activities. The new partnership agreement ensures Girl Scout troops have first choice for use of Camp Tonweya.

“This is a nice partnership that will benefit our students,” Prairie Waters Director Andre Delorme said. “Often our educational activities occur during the school day and Girl Scouts utilize areas primarily after school or on weekends. The move also helps bring students closer to the unique work being done at the fish hatchery, which is exciting.”

Prairie Waters hosts students, professionals, and other community groups and provides education about water resources and the organisms found in water ecosystems. Summer camps, field trips, and research opportunities are some exciting events that take place each summer.