Posted on Nov 18, 2023
Around Kansas City, you can get close to nature at these wildlife refuges and conservation areas
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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.
This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.
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?
This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.
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?
Around Kansas City, you can get close to nature at these wildlife refuges and conservation areas
Posted from kcur.org
Kansas City
Conservation
Wildlife
Posted 7 mo ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
"Within an hour or so of the city, nature preserves, conservations, and wildlife refuges provide safe environments for birds to rest and refuel, including Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge (south of Louisburg, Kansas), the Baker Wetlands (Lawrence, Kansas), Green Hills of Platte Wildlife Preserve (Parkville, Missouri), Smithville Lake (Smithville, Missouri), and Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge (north of St. Joseph, Missouri)."
"Within an hour or so of the city, nature preserves, conservations, and wildlife refuges provide safe environments for birds to rest and refuel, including Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge (south of Louisburg, Kansas), the Baker Wetlands (Lawrence, Kansas), Green Hills of Platte Wildlife Preserve (Parkville, Missouri), Smithville Lake (Smithville, Missouri), and Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge (north of St. Joseph, Missouri)."
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel The Chicago area has Forest Preserves all over the suburbs. As a kid living in the suburbs I walked through a lot of forest preserves in search of looking for wildlife just to watch them in their natural environment. Good share Brother Chip.
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