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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Students listening to an environmental education lesson on the prairie.

Return to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Education programs

At Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Environmental Education at Neal Smith

Planning a field trip? Contact Nancy Corona at nancy_corona@fws.gov for more information. Despite the visitor center’s storm-related closure, scheduled group programs and field trips are continuing. Registered groups may use the indoor dining area, restrooms, and conference room, and the Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge reimburses bus transportation costs for student field trips.

Self-led
Refuge staff supply schedules, materials, resources, and activity ideas for group leaders to conduct their own programs at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. A ranger may provide an introduction when staffing permits.

Guided

Refuge staff supply schedules, materials, and resources and conduct the group’s activities.

Lesson Plans
Our K–5 education programs feature lessons aligned with the Iowa Core and Next Generation Science Standards. Below is a list of lesson plans by grade level.

Kindergarten

What is a Prairie?
Prairie Explorers
Color Hunt
What do Birds do on the Prairie?
Where do Prairie Animals Live?

First Grade

Curious about Clouds
Prairie Soil Explorers
Investigating the Invisible
Shaping Up

Second Grade

First Americans on the Prairie
Meet a Prairie Plant
Prairie Hike and Investigation
Let’s Sketch on the Prairie

Third Grade

Plant Life Cycles
Sticky Seed Situation
Prairie Insects
Prairie Plants Change

Fourth Grade

Habitat Comparisons
The Secrets of Watching Wildlife
Bison Investigation
Prairie Celebrations

Fifth Grade

Prairie Food Cupboard
A Sense of Wonder
Bio Blitz in the Prairie and Oak Savanna
Discovering Diversity

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Activities

In the foreground, 2 people with large orange backpacks hike up a steep slope of rock and lichen. In the background are big mountains with snow patches on top, a lake in a valley, and a cloudy sky.

A woman points while a child next to her looks through binoculars

Wildlife watching

Bison calf and mother standing in spring prairie grass

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

9981 Pacific Street
Prairie City, IA 50228

PO Box 399
Prairie City, IA 50228

nealsmith@fws.gov

Scott Gilje Refuge Manager Phone: currently unavailable, Email: scott_gilje@fws.gov

Steve DeBruin Maintenance Specialist Phone: currently unavailable, Email: steve_debruin@fws.gov

Nancy Corona Visitor Services Manager Phone: currently unavailable, Email: nancy_corona@fws.gov