Wolf Creek Wildlife Area
Wolf Creek Wildlife Area
Location: From New Strawn, take Hwy US 75 North 1 mile, then East 1 1/12 miles on 17th Road.
Nearest Towns: New Strawn, Burlington
Contact: Ph. 316/364-4141
Opened in 1994, the Wolf Creek Environmental Education Area is a 160 acre wildlife study area open to the public during daylight hours. It was once a farm, owned by Avis and Alton Phillips. The land was purchased in the 1970's during the construction phase of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power plant, which now stands a few miles south of the area. Part of Wolf Creek Lake, which is used as part of the cooling system for the power plant, backs up on the property. Various local volunteer organizations, as well as the owners of Wolf Creek Power Plant, provided the labor and funding to make this public wildlife area possible.
The
photo above was taken from the top of the old silo on what was
once the Phillips homestead. Today, it serves as an observation tower,
thanks to the spiral staircase which takes you from ground level to the top of
the silo. Photo at right is looking up from the bottom. Taking the
spiral stairs to the top is worth the price of admission, which is free!
Several
miles of well-maintained nature trails wait to be explored at the
area. One of these ends at a wildlife observation blind (photo at right)
located at the edge of Wolf Creek Lake. Once inside, you have the
opportunity to view a number of water birds.
The
state flower, Sunflower, (left) grows wild here along the trails,
adding color to an already beautiful and peaceful place.
Other wild flowers grow here, too (bottom). Be sure to take time to stop and enjoy all the natural beauty this place has to offer.
An
old combine resting and rusting peacefully amid the trees along
one of the trails reminds us of the days when this was a working farm. Now
the old machine, it's working days long since past, adds charm and interest to
the area of the old farmstead.