The Villages Stone Nature Center programs utilize a 372 acre private nature preserve which surrounds The Villages homes on hills, bluffs and valleys west of Topeka. The preserve includes a remnant of original tallgrass prairie which has never been plowed or heavily grazed by domestic cattle, tall timber hardwood forests and towering bluffs along the Kansas River. This preserve was established at the same time the first homes were opened for abused and abandoned children. Environmental and nature education was the first and most important adjunct to The Villages family style homes. (more photo galleries of photos taken by The Villages youth are coming in the near future).