Great Plains Nature Center

The Great Plains Nature Center is a cooperative project between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks and the City of Wichita. These agencies share a common goal of providing opportunities for the public to investigate, understand, and develop an appreciation for wildlife and the environment, while promoting sound stewardship of natural resources.

Coleman Auditorium – Indoor programs are presented in this 186-seat auditorium. Here you can enjoy a variety of programs on Kansas wildlife. Get up close and personal with birds of prey during a free-flight demonstration, learn the finer points of turkey calling or enjoy a variety of programs on Kansas wildlife and prairie wildflowers.

Koch Habitat Hall – Learn more about the grasslands, wetlands and woodlands of the Great Plains. View native fish in the 2,200-gallon aquarium. Compare your hearing to that of a bobcat, search for animals in the woodland mural and hear the sounds of wildlife on the prairie. In the wildlife observatory, relax in front of the stream and cattail-ringed wetland. Keep your eyes open for beaver, muskrat, ducks and graceful egrets in this unique wildlife blind.

Chisholm Creek Park – The adjacent 240-acre park provides an excellent outdoor classroom. More than two miles of wheelchair-accessible trails and boardwalks meander through riparian woodlands, prairies, streams and wetlands. Pets, bicycles, skates and skateboards are not allowed in the park. Picnic facilities are available on the west side of the park at 3238 N. Oliver. The park is open every day from dawn to dusk.

Owl’s Nest Gift Shop – Books, art, souvenirs and educational materials focusing on the natural resources of the Great Plains can be purchased through the gift shop.