Around Kansas City, you can get close to nature at these wildlife refuges and conservation areas

The Kansas City metro area has a fair amount of manicured green space, abundant trees, and miles of urban hiking for citizens to enjoy. But not too far away are wildlife refuges and conservation areas where animals and plants take priority over humans.
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The Kansas City metro area is such a rich urban ecosystem that a person can forget there’s an abundance of nature — and the wildlife that calls it home — right at our doorstep.

And, friends, real wildlife is out there. Bears are now seen more and more north of the Ozarks, elk have been reintroduced in Missouri, and mountain lions are returning to the plains and Midwest from established populations in the Mountain West.

But how does one get closer to our amazing flora and fauna? Glad you asked! Here’s a guide to the Kansas City-area refuges that will have you glued to a pair of binoculars in no time.

Wildlife refuge, sanctuary, state park, conservation area: What’s the difference?