The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and Prairie Learning Center is among the most unique and valued initiatives in restorative landscape ecology in the United States. The Refuge is located across Highway 163 from Prairie City, Iowa. Prior to Euro-American settlement, the rolling landscape of this portion of Iowa was dominated by tallgrass prairie with islands of oak savanna.

Establishment of the Refuge by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service was authorized by Congress on May 25, 1990 for the purposes of restoring native tallgrass prairie, wetland, and woodland habitats; serving as a major environmental education center providing opportunities for study; providing wildlife dependent outdoor recreation benefits to the public; and providing assistance to local landowners to improve their lands for wildlife habitat.

The 8,654 acre project is unlike any existing refuge in that it has been established by Congress to restore a major expanse of tallgrass prairie. The Refuge is the largest prairie reconstruction effort in the country and is symbolic of a growing national and international interest in healing the environment.