W. Clement Stone Nature Center
The philosophy of The Villages and our founder, Dr. Karl Menninger has been that
protection and conservation of children and the environment are interconnected and
central to the future health of the community. In 1969, The Villages set aside a 372-
acre nature preserve located along the Kansas River, which became the W. Clement
Stone Nature Center in 1989. The Stone Nature Center is an asset to the community
and also plays a vital role in healing the deep wounds of the youth at The Villages.
The Center features a 200-acre piece of tallgrass prairie, an adventure challenge
course and a 3,500 year-old Indian burial mound. The Center's environmental
education programs are used by area schools, scout troops, churches and other
community groups, in addition to children at The Villages. The programs focus on
nature study, wildlife study and rehabilitation, ecology and conservation. More than
14,000 youth from Northeast Kansas communities and schools were exposed to one
of the Stone Nature Center's field trips or outreach education programs last year. Youth
who participate in these programs have helped transplant and seed native wildflowers
and also rehabilitate and care for nearly 2,000 injured, orphaned and lost wild animals
each year. The center is home to several species of birds of prey and other wildlife.
Find out more about programs at The W. Clement Stone Nature Center by clicking on the program links below.