Greater Grand Forks is a community where friends share stories from the front porch, children sell lemonade on the street corner and sports fans join to cheer on local teams. It is a community with diverse shopping opportunities, unique restaurants, live theatre and its own symphony. It's a community that boasts two new shopping centers and many other signs of growth. It's a community that welcomes new neighbors every day. And it's a place you can call home. Those who live here already have discovered the many things that make Greater Grand Forks a "grand" place to live! With a list of more than 300 species, Grand Forks makes an ideal base for a birding trip to the Red River Valley. Nearby prairies offer chances to see native grassland species including the greater prairie chicken, the gray partridge and the short-eared owl. Birding can be enjoyed year round, from spring migration to the waterfowl journey south in the fall. Winter birding offers its own charm with species that include the snowy owl, snow buntings and the commons redpoll. There are numerous birding sites surrounding the Greater Grand Forks area including Turtle River State Park, Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Prairie Chicken Management Area and Oak Ville Prairie. Canoeists on the Red River travel through the heart of the Valley. The 304-mile Red River passes bountiful farmland checkered with bottomland forest and tall grass prairies. Canoe rentals are available through the University of North Dakota Lifetime Sports Center. A canoe package includes a 17-foot aluminum canoe, two oars, two lifejackets, vehicle tie down kit and two seat cushions for $20 a day. Additional seat cushions and lifejackets available for a fee. Greater Grand Forks has over 19 miles of bicycle trails, with more being planned and paved every year. The Grand Forks Rural Bicycle Loop is a 100-mile paved route beginning and ending in Grand Forks. The loop includes Highway 2 and the cities of Mekinock, Emerado and Mayville, The North Star Trail planted in the thick woods of Turtle River State Park is a 10-mile scenic loop, which combines rolling hills, flatlands and stream crossings. Enjoy the day outdoors while the snow glistens beneath your feet. With more than eight miles of groomed ski trails in Greater Grand Forks, you can delight in our winter wonderland. Trails are located at Lincoln Golf Course and run along the Red River. Turtle River State Park also offers a variety of groomed classical and skating style trails. Grand Forks Air Force Base is a major base for USAF tankers. We are located near some of the best fishing and hunting areas in the country. Our public and private schools always rank as some of the best in the nation. We are home to the University of North Dakota and we have a large, excellent hospital. Grand Forks is a farm economy city with a shopping center that serves a wide area. The city is in a growing posture with very low unemployment and great opportunities for advancement.