With your help, we’ve protected over 25,000 acres of Bog for future generations!

Protecting the Sax-Zim Bog for Future Generations of Birds & Birders

Explore one of America’s most remarkable boreal landscapes — where pristine bog meets spruce forest, rare birds flourish, and you become part of the story.

Dusk Birds, Frogs & More

BUZZ, CROAK, HOOT & BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Field trip details and registration here…

Bog BioBlitz XIV

JUNE 27 2026

Details here…

Sunday April 26

LEARN TO PAINT CANADA JAY!

More details here…

May Birding Field Trips!
Songbird Saturdays & Warbler Wednesdays

Multiple field trip details and registration here…

NEW DESIGN!
Shop our "Night Life" design items

Get the 2026 Sax-Zim Bog Wild calendar here…

BRRRRding at -37F
Polar Vortex Sax-Zim

See Virtually Live video here…

TINY BIRD ART 2026
See the Results & TOP TEN sellers

TOP 10 best selling Tiny Bird Art 2026 here…

BRRRRdathon Results!
2026 World's Coldest

See 2026 BRRRRdathon results and photos here…

Give-to-the-Max 2025
Over $31K raised!

Go to our GTMD page…

Last Winter
Owl Irruption 2025

See Great Gray and Boreal Owl video from last winter…

Donor List

Our Bog Buddies 2024-25!

See the list of our Donors from Fiscal Year 2024-25…

2025 Birding Map
The Best Spots to Bird

View & download 2025 Birding Map here…

2025 Bird Checklist
ALL the Birds of Sax-Zim

View & download the bird checklist here…

Free brochure
NEW History Driving Tour!

Learn more here…

Great Gray Gazette
See all the photos!

What we’ve been up to in 2025…

Trail Cam Project
Wolves Playing?
See the video here…

Become a Bog Buddy!

Give your Gift
Ways to donate here…
Learn about Bog Critters!
All Bogdiversity Posts
See BOGDIVERSITY posts here…
Now Available!
2026 BOG WILD CALENDAR
Get the 2026 Sax-Zim Bog Wild calendar here…
Save the Date!
Give-to-the-Max 2026!
Go to our GTMD page…Thank You in advance!
Sat. Oct 25
Calendar Release Party!
Join us for the reveal of the 2026 Sax-Zim Bog Wild calendar…
Donor List
Our Bog Buddies 2024-25!
See the list of our Donors from Fiscal Year 2024-25…
Virtually Live
DOZEN warblers!
See video here…
Birding SZ by Kayak
Late summer wildflowers
See Virtually Live video here…
2024-25 Birding Map
The Best Spots to Bird
View & download 2025 Birding Map here…
2025 Bird Checklist
ALL the Birds of Sax-Zim
View & download the bird checklist here…
2024 Annual Report
See what we've been up to
See Annual Report here…
Free brochure
NEW History Driving Tour!
Learn more here…
Year-round adventure
Boardwalks & Trails
Details on boardwalks here…
Trail Cam Project
Wolves Playing?
See the video here…
Become a Bog Buddy!
Give your Gift
Ways to donate here…
Learn about Bog Critters!
All Bogdiversity Posts
See BOGDIVERSITY posts here…
You told us!
Survey Results Here
See the complete survey results here…
Application here
Hunting Info
Go to Application Form…

Who We Are

Friends of Sax-Zim Bog is a passionate, volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to conserving, interpreting and sharing the unique ecosystem of the Sax-Zim Bog. From acquiring key land tracts and building low-impact boardwalks, to hosting community field trips and supporting scientific research, we strive to maintain this vibrant landscape so that birds, wildlife, and people can thrive together.

Why We Do It

Because the bog is more than a place — it’s a living legacy. It’s where boreal warblers sing in summer and owl calls echo in winter.

Why it matters

The bog supports species unique to the boreal North, provides a backdrop for world-class birding, and offers an outdoor classroom for nature lovers.

Get Involved

Volunteer, become a “Bog Buddy”, attend an event, donate — there are many ways to help.

What We Do

Our Work in Three Focus Areas

Land & Habitat Conservation

We acquire and protect high-value parcels within the bog’s 300 + square-mile ecosystem — safeguarding rare habitats for species like the Great Gray Owl and the Boreal Chickadee.

Visitor Access & Experience

We build and maintain boardwalks, trails and a Welcome Center so that visitors can enjoy and learn from the bog with minimal impact on the terrain.

Research, Education & Outreach

We support scientific monitoring, citizen-science projects, field trips and community events that deepen knowledge of the bog and inspire stewardship.

Why Sax-Zim Bog Matters

25,000+ Acres Protected

Thanks to our supporters, thousands of acres of habitat are now permanently protected.

Unique Boreal Ecosystem

A rare mix of spruce/tamarack bog, uplands and wetlands that supports species found nowhere else.

Science & Discovery

Monitoring owl populations, tracking migratory birds, and hosting biodiversity studies.

Community Driven

From volunteers to donors to field-trip participants — your involvement powers our work.

Discover the Magic of Sax-Zim Bog

What Makes the Bog Special

Stretching across northern Minnesota, the Sax-Zim Bog is one of North America’s most celebrated birding and wildlife destinations. Its mix of spruce forests, open tamarack bogs, and wetlands provides critical habitat for rare boreal species — and unforgettable experiences for those who visit.

Support the Bog You Love

Your donation helps protect the rare habitats and incredible wildlife of the Sax-Zim Bog. Every contribution supports conservation, education, and stewardship — ensuring that future generations can experience the same wonder you do today.
Whether you give once or become a sustaining member, your support makes a lasting impact on the land, the birds, and the people who care for them.

stories from the Sax-Zim Bog

Dive into field notes, conservation news, and birding adventures that celebrate the beauty and science of the Sax-Zim Bog.

It has been a while since I made a post about biodiversity milestones in the greater Sax-Zim Bog ecosystem. In fact, the last blog post about biodiversity came in 2021…

SEVENTEEN (!) teams participated in this year’s BRRRRdathon—World’s Coldest Birdathon This is more teams than we’ve had in recent years. Some braved Minus-9ºF with a minus-20 WCF on Day One…

It seems like from year to year each BioBlitz impresses us with a new high number of species documented; a pile of new species added to the greater Sax-Zim Bog…

It has been a while since I made a post about biodiversity milestones in the greater Sax-Zim Bog ecosystem. In fact, the last blog post about biodiversity came in 2021…

SEVENTEEN (!) teams participated in this year’s BRRRRdathon—World’s Coldest Birdathon This is more teams than we’ve had in recent years. Some braved Minus-9ºF with a minus-20 WCF on Day One…

Photos from Sax-Zim

Sax-Zim Bog eBird Reports

Stay up to date with the latest bird sightings and activity in the Sax-Zim Bog. Explore real-time reports from birders around the world and discover which species have recently been spotted in this remarkable habitat.

54°F
Overcast clouds
Tuesday
99%
12:13 AM
Min: 48°F
1002
04:07 PM
Max: 66°F
NW 6 mph
Wednesday
61°F
49°F
Thursday
64°F
48°F
Friday
63°F
42°F
Saturday
70°F
42°F
Sunday
46°F
46°F