Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

2024 Photography
Contest Winners

Best of Show
”Takeoff”
by Matthew Brotherton

For the month of November, the Iowa Taproom is hosting a charity flight where proceeds from the flight go directly to the support of the Refuge. Have a night out with good food and ask for the Charity flight at Iowa Taproom.

Let’s go to the The Iowa Taproom! 🍺🍔

📍 215 E 3rd St #100, Des Moines, IA

Go to the official Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge website. NSNWR was established in 1990 with the purpose to protect, restore and reconstruct and manage native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and sedge meadow.

The power of a Friends group is its members. Become a member today to support projects that benefit both wildlife and people at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.

Friend’s volunteers are a vital part to accomplishing our mission and projects at Neal Smith NWR. We welcome volunteers of all talents, ages and backgrounds. Learn how you can volunteer today.

News and Events

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Photography Contest!
See all winning photographs here.

Prizes Awarded
1st Place each category: $30 Christian Photo gift card
2nd Place each category: $20 Christian Photo gift card
3rd Place each category: $10 Christian Photo gift card
Best of Show: 16x20 mounted print
Best of Show Smartphone: 8x10 mounted print (due to low resolution)

Winners will be on display from Nov 25th - Dec 7th at the Prairie City Library.

Thank you to Christian Photo for their support of this year's contest and the Prairie City Public Library for providing us a home this year due to the Visitor Center closure.

Field Notes
Check out the notes from the interns on the important work they are doing at the Refuge. Find explanations of their work and why it is vital to the sustainability of the Refuge.

Read the latest issue of “Prairie Wind”, the newsletter of the Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Volume 31 - Number 3 Fall 2024

The Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Nature Store is closed in the Visitor Center which is also closed due to the extensive storm damage in July. While the The Friends is exploring options, currently the Nature Store does not have a home. Watch this site and the Friends Facebook page for updates on the Nature Store.