The Return of the River Otter
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 1:00-3:00 PM
The Outdoor Campus - Sioux Falls
4500 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Join us at The Outdoor Campus on November 21st for an afternoon focused on river otters in the Big Sioux River! Friends of the Big Sioux River, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and a member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe are partnering to bring you an afternoon of education and fun.
When you think of the Big Sioux River, river otters may not be the first critter that comes to mind, but they are an active and important part of the watershed. Learn about the reintroduction of otters to the Big Sioux River, their diet, habitat needs, population trends, and more!
We will provide activities for kids while parents attend the speaker presentations and discussion. If you have ever been curious about our local river otters, this is the event for you!
This event is free to attend, and no pre-registration is required. Stay tuned for a full event schedule coming soon!
Meet the Speakers
Joseph Hansen
Discover the history behind the reintroduction of river otters to the Big Sioux River. Joseph Hansen of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe will discuss the Tribe's pivotal role in restoring this native species and what its return means for the health of the river today.
Rachel Gardner
Join South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks biologist Rachel Gardner as she explores the fascinating world of river otters. Learn about otter biology, current conservation efforts through the River Otter Action Plan, and how preliminary genetic research occurring along the Big Sioux River may help researchers better manage otter populations in Eastern South Dakota.
If you have any questions please reach out to: outreach@friendsofthebigsiouxriver.org
