W. Clement Stone Nature Center

The W. Clement Stone Nature Center is a 372 acre nature preserve located just west of Topeka, Kansas along the Kansas River.

Rolling prairie, mature woodland and riparian areas create rich habitat for a wide variety of native wildlife. A 3000 year old Indian burial mound on the nature center is evidence of the historical presence of early Native Americans.

The nature center provides environmental education and outdoor programs to over 18,000 people each year. Teachers and scout leaders can choose indoor or outdoor environmental programs from over 30 topics. The nature center has a collection of live education animals that are used in programs. These include birds of prey, snakes, mammals and invertebrates. In addition, it also operates a large Adventure Challenge course that offers teamwork training to schools, military, corporate and law enforcement groups.

The nature center sponsors a wildlife rehabilitation facility operated by over 25 dedicated volunteers and veterinarians that cares for over 1000 animals each year from all over the NE Kansas area. The dedicated volunteers of wildlife rehabilitation operate a daily hotline that helps people who find animals get help quickly. The goal of wildlife rehabilitation at the Stone Nature Center is to release healthy animals back to the wildlife. The trained rehabilitators work hard to avoid the animals in their care from becoming dependent on humans. Persons finding an animal in need of assistance can call (785) 575-1991 to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.