Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Announces Public Open Houses

We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service know that access to America’s public lands increases your quality of life. National wildlife refuges across the country offer quality opportunities to connect with special places in a variety of ways.

The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is proposing to continue to offer environmental education and interpretation on the refuge. To evaluate this, we are opening a public comment period on a draft Compatibility Determination (CD) that describes proposed changes to these uses. As part of the public comment period, we are hosting two open houses, where the public is invited to learn more about and comment on the environmental education and interpretation CD. Additionally, the refuge will share an update on the building renovation and current plans for the refuge visitor center. The open houses with take place on:

• Friday, March 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  
• Saturday, March 14 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Both open houses will be held at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Prairie Learning Center). The building address is 9981 Pacific St., Prairie City, Iowa.

Environmental education and interpretation have previously been allowed to occur on the refuge, and through this process we are evaluating how to continue to offer these activities considering staff availability, visitor center renovations and trail development. Environmental education and interpretation are priority wildlife-dependent uses and provide you with opportunities to enjoy and learn about our lands and wildlife. These uses also help fulfill the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the purposes of the refuge  

This announcement initiates a 30-day public comment period. Comments will be accepted through April 2, 2026 and should be emailed to nealsmith@fws.gov or mailed to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 399, Prairie City, Iowa, 50228. The draft compatibility determination is available electronically on the refuge website below. You can contact the refuge at 515-994-3400 or by email at nealsmith@fws.gov to request either printed or electronic copies. Please let us know if you need the document in an alternative format. 

A hailstorm damaged the roof of the refuge visitor center in July 2024. This caused severe flooding throughout the building. The visitor center has been closed since this incident. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hired an engineering and architectural firm to develop a plan for renovation. Refuge staff will share the expected timeline, scope of the renovation, and current plans at the open houses.  

Across the country, national wildlife refuges provide additional recreational opportunities for the public where it is compatible with refuge purposes. Environmental Education and interpretation provide opportunities for families to enjoy and connect to the outdoors, create memories and pass on family traditions.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and moving to the next stage of review.