Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is less than an hour east of the Des Moines metro area in neighboring Jasper County. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge's Prairie Learning Center is open all year round. Admission is free. The Refuge is well-known for its birding opportunities.

It offers a unique educational experience for everyone. The center is focused on the prairie ecosystem, including Native Americans and settlers, flora and fauna, and prairie restoration, including fire/burning. Indoors activities include self-guided scavenger hunts that have been prepared for preschool through high school-aged students; interactive displays including touch-able animal skins and puppets, dioramas, and exhibits; movies; and a greenhouse with educational lab where visitors can observe staff working. Outdoor activities include a hands-on "old bones" exhibit, auto tour with bison and elk, hiking paths of various difficulties in three different ecosystems (paved, gravel and wood chip, and mowed grass trails). A variety of programming is offered; contact the Refuge for details. Backpacks can be checked out at the front desk to enhance a visit. Checklists for different animals are also available for your use at the refuge and at home.

Families can volunteer singly or in groups to work inside and outside -- seed cleaning for winter trips visits and invasive pulling for summer trips. Educational programming is available for groups at no charge.

The refuge has a gift shop. There is a lunch room with two vending machines. Packed lunches are welcome; there is no refrigerator for visitors to use.

Upcoming special events at the Refuge include Monarch Madness; Buffalo Day/Public Lands Day, and Ding Darling Day. Its best to call for details.

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Prairie Learning Center
P.O. Box 399
9981 Pacific Street
Prairie City, Iowa 50228-0399
(515) 994-3400

Neal Smith's biographical information is at this link.