neal smith · 2019. 5. 23. · neal smith national wildlife refuge special events program &...
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Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Special Events
Program & Activity Guide Summer 2019
Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom
Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 20 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Educators of K-12 students and others interested in environmental education are welcome to register for
this free two-day course to learn about Iowa’s native tallgrass prairie and wildlife. You will tour the wildlife refuge to
learn about Iowa’s plants and animals, explore using the outdoors to engage students, learn how to use Neal Smith
NWR for free field trips, and experience new resources for motivating and exciting
students. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive priority field
trip scheduling, planning support, ready-to-use curriculum and resource materi-
als. If desired, AEA License renewal credit is available for a fee of $35.00. For ad-
ditional information, contact Patrick Bryant at 515-994-3400 or by email
at [email protected]. To register, search course # 180251 on the AEA
Heartland Professional Learning Registration System (login required).
Pedal the Prairie Saturday, June 29, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
Join us for a bike ride on the Prairie Parkway Bike Trail (refuge’s entry road)! Ride among wild-
flowers, enjoy live animal exhibits, hike the trails, and participate in games and other activities.
The Prairie Parkway (10 miles) and Family Fun Ride (1.5 miles) both start at 9:00 a.m. The entry
road will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. but activities and exhibitors at
the visitor center are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. To register, go to “Neal Smith Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge” on Facebook and click “Coming.”
Bison Day Saturday, August 3, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a FREE family-friendly celebration of bison and the prairie. Music, weaving, rope-
making, games and crafts will be available for all ages! Take a narrated bus tour along the wild-
life drive and through the bison enclosure (registration required). See live bison and elk and
compete in a bison chip throwing contest! Lunch will be available for purchase.
For information or to register for a bus tour,
call 515-994-3400 or email [email protected].
For more information!
Program and Activity Guide Summer 2019
All programs are FREE & open to the public!
Nature Tots
Second Saturday Stewardship
Date Time Ages Topic
Saturday, June 1 10:30 am—11:30 am 3 – 5 Animals under our Feet
Saturday, July 6 10:30 am—11:30 am 3 – 5 Busy Bees and Butterflies
Saturday, August 3 10:30 am—11:30 am 3 - 5 Bison Buddies
Children ages 3-5 are invited to bring their favorite adult and join us as we read stories, go outside, make nature crafts, and much more! Children should wear sturdy, closed toed shoes and dress
appropriately for the weather. Pre-registration is required. Call 515-994-3400 or [email protected].
Join us for our monthly stewardship project to learn about tallgrass prairie reconstruction while doing a task to help
bring back the prairie. The activity involves helping with the refuge’s native prairie greenhouse program. A volunteer
project occurs on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Projects vary according to the season.
Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign a volunteer service agreement in order to vol-
unteer. Volunteers need to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and long pants. We recommend volunteers bring insect re-
pellent, sunscreen and drinking water. To pre-register or for additional information, please contact or (515) 994-3400
or email [email protected].
Wildflowers and Wildlife Walk and Talk
Join naturalists for a guided nature walk along the 1/2 mile paved Overlook Trail and learn about wildlife, wildflowers, and management of the refuge. See the prairie in bloom, watch for birds and butterflies and learn about the bison and elk herds. Recommended for adults and children ages 12 and old-er accompanied by their favorite adult. Pre-registration required. To pre-register call 515-994-3400 or email [email protected].
June 8, July 13, and August 10
Sundays - June 2, July 7, and July 21, all at10:00 a.m.
Saturday, August 10, 10:00 a.m.
Learn Bird Watching Sunday, June 9 at 8:00 a.m.
Take a walk with a naturalist and learn bird watching skills. Observe and enjoy the plentiful and colorful breeding
birds that make the prairie their home. All skill levels are welcome and loaner binoculars are available. This program
is for adults and children ages 10 and older, accompanied by an adult. We recommend participants wear sturdy,
closed-toe shoes and long pants and bring insect repellent, sunscreen and drinking water.
To pre-register call 515-994-3400 or email [email protected].
Program & Activity Guide Summer 2019
Naturalist Programs
Like us on Facebook - “Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge”
Bison on the Prairie
Saturday, June 22, 10:00 a.m. Join us for a short presentation on the history and management of the American Bi-son. Learn fun facts in our Bison Room and then take a guided walk along the ½- mile Overlook Trail loop to search for bison and elk herds while enjoying the prairie land-scape. Please call to pre-register at 515/994-3400 or email [email protected].
Bison Talk and Wildflower Walk
Join us Saturday - June 15, July 13 and August 17
Participate in a short program at 1:30 p.m. on each of the dates listed above,
and learn about the natural history and management of the American Bison.
Take a guided walk to the butterfly garden located just outside the visitor center
to enjoy and learn about prairie wildflowers. Please call to
pre-register at 515-994-3400 or email [email protected].
Evening Prairie Stroll
Saturday, July 6, 6:00 p.m. Take a stroll with a ranger along the two-mile Tallgrass Trail loop to enjoy an evening on
the prairie. Look and listen for changes in the wildlife, while meandering through the prai-
rie wildflowers as the sun goes down. To pre-register call 515-994-3400 or email
Iowa Bats Up Close, Saturday, July 20, 6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Button making and bat crafts 7:00 p.m. - Presentation 8:00 p.m. - Bat netting and observation Join us for a chance to see bats up close and learn about these fascinating animals. Make a bat craft, enjoy a presentation and then go out into the field to see live bats. Russ Ben-edict, Professor of Biology at Central College, will present a program on Iowa bats. Di-rectly after, participants will take a short drive to another location to observe bats that are captured and then released by research students. Participants should wear closed-toe, sturdy shoes, long-sleeved shirt, pants and bring insect repellent and water. Registration is recommended. Contact Doreen VanRyswyk at [email protected] or by phone at 515-994-3400. Meet at the refuge visitor center.
Summer Photo Hike
Sunday, July 14, from 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, observe the summer changes in the plants
and wildlife. Meet at the Visitor Center and be prepared for the weather condi-
tions and walking off the trails. Please check the Neal Smith NWR Facebook page
for updates on program changes due to weather conditions. Call 515-994-3400
or email [email protected] with questions and to pre-register.
For more information: (515) 994-3400 or http://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal_smith/
Program & Activity Guide Summer 2019
More Programs
Enter the 2019 Photo Contest!
Photo contest entries are due by July 15. You do not have to participate in the Photo Hikes to enter, just simply enter your favorite photos taken at the Refuge. More info, including contest rules and entry forms, can be found on the Neal Smith NWR website. You may also pick up information at the Refuge or contact [email protected] to have them emailed to you.
Butterfly Encounters
Saturday, July 27 at 10:00 a.m. Join a naturalist on a guided walk in search of butterflies on the prairie. Learn techniques for
identifying butterflies while enjoying the prairie in summer bloom. Recommended for adults
and children ages 10 and older, accompanied by an adult. We recommend that you wear stur-
dy, closed-toe shoes, and long pants. Additionally, bring insect repellant, sunscreen and drink-
ing water. To pre-register call 515/994-3400 or email [email protected].
Nature Photo Journaling
Sunday, August 18 at 9:00 a.m. Learn how to create a nature photo journal project, while learning how to look at your surroundings in a new way with Kristie Burns, a professional photojournalist. Participants will also learn basic photography techniques, principles of phenology (documenting plant and animal life cycles), and have the opportunity to experiment and improve their na-ture photography. Participants must bring their own camera; digital SLR cameras are recommended but any type of camera can be used. Phone cameras will not work for this workshop. The program will take place both indoors and out-doors so be prepared for the weather conditions and walking off the trails. Space is limited and registration is re-quired. Please contact Doreen Van Ryswyk at 515-994-3400 or by email at [email protected] to register.
Wildlife Photography Workshop Saturday, August 10 from 4-6 p.m.
Dr. Paul Brooke of Grand View University will conduct a two-hour workshop on wildlife photography. In the first hour, he will present on how to properly photograph and process images. He will show images from the wilds of Brazil, Ice-land and Neal Smith NWR. The last hour will be spent on the refuge photographing wildlife. Space is limited and regis-tration is required. To register, contact Doreen VanRyswyk at [email protected] or by phone at 515-994-3400.
Program & Activity Guide Summer 2019
Friends of Neal Smith NWR Programs
For more information: (515) 994-3400 or http://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal_smith/
Meandering with Nature
Saturday, July 20, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. So many people live on autopilot or with the stress of too much to do and no
time to simply relax. One way to reduce stress for many is to slow down long
enough to experience the awe that nature offers to us daily. A definition of
“meandering” - moving slowly in no particular direction or with no clear pur-
pose… and it was with this intention that we began Meandering with Nature.
It is an opportunity to come to the prairie and be with the prairie – and learn
some tools and strategies to take home.
The topic for this program is “Hidden Life of Trees in the Oak Savanna”. Some of the activities include creating journals,
mapping the ‘nature spots’ in your neighborhood, relaxing and mindfulness examples and other activities that help you
discover what works for you. This program is free and is appropriate for teens and adults.
Concert on the Prairie
An Evening with the Friends of Neal Smith NWR
Friday, June 7 from 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Experience a summer evening on the prairie and enjoy music, art and nature. This year’s event will feature music by
The Host Country, a five-piece band that is an exploration of sounds, a fusion of folk, rock, and blues. Enjoy an art ex-
hibit and sale of artisan works and wines from The Cellar at
White Oak Winery of Cambridge, Iowa. Additionally, enjoy a
sumptuous meal provided by local restaurateur, Magg Family
Catering, also included with admission! There will be an optional
guided twilight walk along the Overlook Trail following the con-
cert. This is the major fundraiser of the year for the Friends of
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. We hope you can join
us! Event registration closes on June 3, 2019. For additional
information and to register visit www.tallgrass.org or call 515-
994-2918.
Experience “Tallgrass Conversations:
In Search of the Prairie Spirit”
Saturday, July 13, 1:00 p.m. Join us Saturday, July 13, at 1:00 p.m. to celebrate the publication of the new book of short
writings and beautiful photographs that inspire new understanding of the Midwestern prairie
through words and images. Thomas Dean, co-author and Senior Presidential Writer/Editor at the
University of Iowa, will talk about how the book came together, read selections from the book
and share photos. There will be time for discussion and Q&A. Refreshments will be served.
Month Exhibit
June Concert on the Prairie art exhibit and sale
July - August “ Save Iowa Nesters” exhibit by Coralee Bodeker
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
AVA Trail 10 Kilometers Grass, Paved, Gravel Prairie , Oak Savanna
Hiking Trails Take a hike through the beautiful tallgrass prairie or oak savanna. Try to find blooming flowers, birds, or butterflies. Brochures
and maps available at the Visitor Center.
For more information: (515) 994-3400 or http://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal_smith/
Program & Activity Guide Summer 2019
More Information
Trails on the Refuge
Coming up in the J.N. “Ding” Darling Art Gallery . . .
My name is Coralee Bodeker. I am a 16-year-old artist and member of Iowa Young Birders. I created a traveling art ex-hibit titled 'Save Iowa Nesters' to draw attention to the truly remarkable birds that nest in Iowa each year. Each of the eight 'larger-than-life' species depicted in the exhibit has been negatively affected by habitat loss in our state.
A note from Coralee about her exhibit:
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 south-
west corner of Prairie City at the Highway 163-Prairie City Interchange.
Coming from the WEST at the junction of Interstate 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 Inter-
change.
Directions to the Visitor Center
Please note that your GPS
will take you on gravel roads.
For an alternate route,
please watch for signs to the
refuge and take the paved
Entry Road.