Volunteers needed at Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge Nov. 14, Dec. 12

Each month the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge hosts the Second Saturday Stewardship day from 9 a.m. to noon at the Prairie Learning Center to provide those who are curious about the wildlife and native prairie plants an opportunity to participate in stewardship activities that allow them to learn about the different aspects of the refuge.

Volunteers will be needed Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 to help harvest seed or process the seed through the refuge seed lab. No experience is necessary, and staff and volunteers work with first-time volunteers to help them get started.

For additional information, call Ranger Al Murray, volunteer coordinator, at (515) 994-3443 or e-mail al_murray@fws.gov.

Located in the central part of the state, Neal Smith NWR was established in 1991 as a tallgrass prairie restoration and reconstruction project. The Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The trails and auto tour are open sunrise to sunset every day.

For more information about the refuge, access the Friends of the Prairie Learning Center Web site at www.tallgrass.org.