Friends of the Prairie Learning Center - Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Attention Teachers

All field trips and outreach programs are free of charge. (This does not apply to summer day camps.) Can't make it out to the refuge this year? Want to prepare your students for a field trip? Let the park rangers of Neal Smith NWR come to your classroom. Learn more about our free outreach programs. Fall 2007 scheduling begins May 1st. Scheduling for spring 2007 field trips began January 2nd, we are currently booked for the spring 2007 season. If you would like your school to visit spring 2008 please make a note to call as close to January 2nd, 2008 as possible. Spring and fall field trips seasons fill up fast!
Teachers, is your school too far from Neal Smith NWR to visit? Were we booked for your day? Or is your class going to visit and you want your students to prepare for their field trip? Check out the Tallgrass Prairie Virual Tour. Use our scavenger hunt or create your own. Key

Project Bluestem:

A Curriculum on Prairies and Savannas

Project Bluestem is a series of activities for you, the educator, to help your students become more intimately acquainted with the tallgrass prairies, oak savannas and Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Whether you work with young people, adults, or families, with students in a formal classroom or in an informal environment, you'll find something that will pique the prairie curiosity of your learners and enhancement the enjoyment of their visit.

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Become a Member or a Volunteer Today!
Call
515 994-3400 or

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Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is an 8000-acre prairie reconstruction project. It's complex. It's long term. And it's very exciting! The Project Bluestem activities will help you and your students - whatever their ages - learn about the history of the prairie, how the land has changed over the past 200 years, and what we are doing at the Refuge to help bring back the prairie. It complements the themes of the displays in the Prairie Learning Center, taking you out onto the Refuge (and beyond) and helping you teach about the ecology of prairie environments, the human history of the area, and the science and art of habitat restoration. Beyond that, however, it will encourage you and your students to become actively involved by participating in environmental stewardship activities. Join us in exploring the prairie world.

Prairie Learning Center

Students with buffalo exhibit

Rules for Booking:

Guided tour spots are held for 2nd - 6th grade only.

No more than 75 students are allowed at the refuge at one time.

Groups cannot contain more than 25 students per group.

One adult must be present for every 5 students.

Schools must be able to spend at least 3 1/2 hours at the refuge per visit.

Booking for guided tours will be allowed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only.

If you do not meet these requirements you may book on a Monday or Friday and visit on your own. A ranger will be provided for a welcome but all other activities will be done by teachers.

Questions about the update and scheduling should be addressed to Cheryl Groom at Cheryl_Groom@fws.gov or call 1-515-994-3400.

EDUCATORS ALERT!!! **SCHEDULING SYSTEM CHANGE**

The education community's response to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge/Prairie Learning Center has been overwhelming. Because of the overwhelming response the Refuge has reorganized its scheduling system to accommodate as many schools as possible that want to visit.

1. We are currently booking for summer 2007.

2. Sorry spring 2007 is full.

3. Fall 2007 scheduling will begin on May 1st.

4. Spring and summer 2008 scheduling will begin January 2nd of next year.

5. To schedule an outreach program at your school you may call and make reservations one calendar year in advance. School outreach programs can be scheduled from November 15th to March 15th and from June 15th to August 20th.

6. Teacher orientation to the Prairie Learning Center can be scheduled when a school visit is booked.

7. What activities are available? Project Bluestem activities.

a. The activities can be selected from a prepared menu of educational activities that are grade level appropriate.

b. Stewardship activities are always available.

8. Who do I contact to schedule my school visit? Sara Hollerich, Environmental Education Coordinator.

a. Contact Sara at 515-994-3400 or fax 515-994-3459 or E-mail: Sara_Hollerich@fws.gov E-mail has the quickest response time.

Reach the Prairie Learning Center educational staff at: 515 994-3400 or write Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Prairie Learning Center PO Box 399 Prairie City, Iowa 50228

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