Mar 13, 2026 - News

Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge visitor center plans 2028 reopening

Linh Ta

Silhouette of a stag with large, branching antlers seated in a grassy field as an orange sunset fills the sky. — An elk at Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Courtesy of Eric Burson Photography

Staffing shortages and decades of reduced government funding have contributed to why Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is downsizing its visitor center, following a severe storm that heavily damaged it, refuge manager Scott Gilje tells Axios.

The big picture: The central Iowa facility is the largest U.S. Fish and Wildlife visitor center in the Midwest region, but has only three staff members working out of the office.

Gilje said the storm damage was "a prime time to rethink" the building's size and operational costs.

Zoom in: The redesign will eliminate the classroom and lab space, which had been used by volunteers and students who hand-harvested prairie seeds.

The refuge plans to partner with conservation organizations to handle seed processing going forward.
A nature store will remain, and a large conference room will serve as the new hub for educational programming, including school field trips.

As for a timeline, Gilje says he expects a contract to be awarded this fall, with construction beginning in early 2027 and the center reopening sometime in 2028.

What's next: The refuge wants to continue offering educational programming and is holding an open house today and tomorrow for input on the programs.

Noon to 2pm Friday and 10am to noon Saturday.

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Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge visitor center plans 2028 reopening

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