Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

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.

Fall of 2028 is now the anticipated timeline for the completion of construction and for the building to reopen. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently released a draft compatibility determination to propose and collect comments on how the Refuge will continue with its offerings of environmental education and interpretation on-site once the Visitor Center is repaired.
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News and Events

Celebrate the new calf and support the Refuge a limited edition magnet! These will be shipped with each new membership or donation made to the Friends of Neal Smith NWR. These flat magnets can be used indoors and outdoors, on cars, fridges or file cabinets.

The summer interns are already hard at work. Tenlea Turner submitted the first report for the summer 2026 season. Read about their busy week in Field Notes.

The latest issue of Prairie Wind newsletter is now posted online. In this issue you can read messages from Scott Gilje, Refuge Manager, and see what’s happening this spring from Nancy Corona, Visitor Services Manager. This issue also features pictures of the Design Concepts of the Visitor Center Changes, and much more!