Trip to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

The July prairie is blazing with yellows, purples and greens, and it is a great time to visit the prairie at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The Wapello County Conservation Board will be taking a 15 passenger van to the refuge on Friday, July 20. Space is limited to the first 14 to register, and all ages are welcome. Participants will join in a morning hike to see what is happening in the prairie before finding a place for a picnic lunch. Then there will be time to look around the learning center. After that, they will drive through the bison and elk enclosure on the way out. There may even be a stop for ice cream on the way back. Participants will need to bring their own lunch and refillable water bottle. Registration is required by July 18, but register early to insure your place. The first pick-up will be at the nature center at 8:00 am. The second will be at the Ottumwa Hydro Dam parking lot around 8:20 am.

Contact Pioneer Ridge Nature Center for more information and register at 641- 682-3091.