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Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Special Events
Earth Day Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
In honor of Earth Day, we invite volunteers to help us restore prairie and oak savanna ecosystems. During this event, volunteers will participate in stewardship activities. Groups
and individuals are welcome. FREE lunch provided by the Friends of Neal Smith NWR. Pre-registration is required by April 17.
Program & Activity Guide Spring 2019
Greenhouse Tour Sunday, April 14, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Would you like to see how we grow prairie plants? Join us for a greenhouse tour! Each year, the Refuge grows about 30,000 native plants in our greenhouse, including
dozens of different species. From seed collection and germination to transplanting and care, see the process of growing native plants from seed. For questions,
call 515-994-3400 or email [email protected]
Spring Photo Hike Saturday, April 6, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Photographers of all skill levels, using a variety of camera types, can join this
ranger-led walk. Through your lens, discover the signs of spring occurring in the plant
and wildlife of the refuge. Meet at the Learning Center. Be prepared for the weather
conditions and walking off the trails. Please pre-register
by calling 515-994-3400 or emailing [email protected].
Nature Photo Journaling with Kristie Burns Sunday, April 7, 1:00 p.m.
Learn how to create a nature photo journal project and to plan your own, while learning how to look at your sur-roundings in a new way with Kristie Burns, a professional photo-journalist. Participants will also learn basic photog-raphy techniques, principles of phenology (documenting plant and animal life cycles), and have the opportunity to
experiment and improve their nature photography. Participants must bring their own camera; digital SLR cameras are recommended but any type of camera can be used. The program will take place both indoors and outdoors so be prepared for the weather conditions and walking off the trails. Phone cameras will not work for this work-
shop. Space is limited and registration is required. Please contact Doreen Van Ryswyk at 515-994-3400 or by email at [email protected] to register.
Program & Activity Guide Spring 2019
For more information: (515) 994-3400 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Neal_Smith/
Saturday Nature Tots
Volunteer Opportunities
Join us for monthly stewardship project to learn about tallgrass prairie recon-struction while doing a task to help bring back the prairie. The activity in-volves helping with the refuge’s native prairie greenhouse program. This
volunteer project occurs on the second Saturday of every month and projects vary according to the season. All are welcome. Children under the age of 18
must have a parent sign a volunteer agreement prior to volunteering. To register or for additional information, call the Refuge at 515-994-3400 or
email [email protected].
Date Time
March 9 9:00 am—12:00 pm
April 13 9:00 am—12:00 pm
May 11 9:00 am—12:00 pm
Second Saturday Stewardship
Children ages 3-5 are invited to bring their favorite adult and join us as we read stories, explore outside, make nature crafts, and much more! Children should wear sturdy shoes and dress appro-priately for the weather. Registration required. Email [email protected] or call 515/994-3400.
Date Time Age Topic
March 2 10:30 am—11:30 am 3Y to 5Y Whose Tracks?
April 6 10:30 am—11:30 am 3Y to 5Y Animals with Antlers
May 4 10:30 am—11:30 am 3Y to 5Y Signs of Spring
Day Date Time
Sunday March 31 1:30 p.m.
Saturday April 13 1:30 p.m.
Saturday May 25 1:30 p.m.
Bison on the Prairie
Participate in a short presentation on the history and management of the American Bison. Then take a guided walk along the ½- mile Overlook Trail to get some exercise and search for bison and elk herds while enjoying the spring
landscape. Please call to pre-register at 515/994-3400 or email [email protected].
Program & Activity Guide Spring 2019
All programs are FREE & open to the public!
Trail Length Surface Habitat
Overlook Trail 1/2 mile Paved–Accessible Tallgrass Prairie
Tallgrass Trail 2 miles Paved Tallgrass Prairie
Oak Savanna Trail
1/2 mile Gravel Oak Savanna
Basswood Trail 1/2 mile Grass Woodland
Take a hike through the beautiful tallgrass prairie or oak savanna. Try to find early blooming flowers, migrating birds, or new bison calves! Brochures and maps available at the Visitor Center.
All programs are FREE and open to the public!
Meandering with Nature
Spring Wildflowers of the Oak Savanna
The Friends of Neal Smith NWR are offering two spring programs on Saturday afternoons from 1:30-3:00 pm.
Each session will have a different theme providing ways to reconnect to the land, while learning and
experiencing how calming and healing nature can be. You will learn how to integrate into your daily life the
techniques and activities presented at each session to reduce stress, increase happiness and develop a
sense of wonder. This program is free and is suitable for teenagers and adults.
Date Topic
March 16 Changing light patterns . . . how they affect us
May 18 One Minute Vacation . . . how it renews us
Saturday, May 4 at 1:00 p.m.
Do not miss the opportunity to view the short-lived (ephemeral) wildflowers of early spring that inhabit the Oak Savanna Trail. Join us for this guided hike to
enjoy the changes in the weather, plant life and wildlife. The Oak Savanna Trail is a hilly ½-mile gravel loop trail. Please register by emailing
[email protected] or by calling 515-994-3400.
Hiking Trails
Movie: Return to Wildness
15 minutes
Film presentation about Neal Smith NWR is shown every hour on the half hour, or upon request. No group is too small!
Outdoor Scavenger Hunts
How many birds do you see? Can you identify flowers? Borrow a copy of a seasonal
scavenger hunt and ID sheets at the front desk of the Visitor Center to use while you hike.
Visitor
Center
hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. every day.
Walking trails and Auto Tour are open
from dawn to dusk every day. The Visitor
Center will be open for Memorial Day on
Monday, May 28, 2018.
COME VISIT!
Come explore the natural
wonders Neal Smith NWR has to
offer! Check out binoculars or a
“Let’s Go Outside Backpack” for FREE at the
Visitor Center during normal business hours.
LET’S EXPLORE
Program & Activity Guide Spring 2015
Coming from the EAST on Interstate 80, take the
Colfax exit and go south on Iowa HWY 117, about
7 miles to Prairie City. The paved entry road is
located at the southwest corner of Prairie City at
the Highway 163-Prairie City interchange.
Coming from the WEST at the junction of Inter-
state 35 and 80, go east on Interstate 80 about 3
miles to the HWY 65 exit. Take HWY 65 south to
Iowa HWY 163. At HWY 163 turn east and go
about 15 miles to Prairie City. The paved entry
road is located at the southwest corner of Prairie
City at the Highway 163-Prairie City interchange.
DIRECTIONS TO THE REFUGE
Spring Exploration Ideas
For more information: (515) 994-3400 - http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Neal_Smith/
Street address:
Neal Smith NWR
9981 Pacific Street
Prairie City, IA 50228
Did you know….
… Each Spiderwort (Tradescantia sp.)has a cluster of buds with one or two flowers blooming for one
morning and then wilting by mid-day? Another couple of buds
blooms the next day.
Spring 2015 Program & Activity Guide Spring 2019
