Who We Are

Education and Recreation

• Lakeside Nature Center serves the public as both an educational and recreational resource.
• More than 175,000 people visit the Nature Center annually, hike the trails or attend one of the educational programs to learn about native Missouri animals, plants and their habitats. 
• It serves as one of Missouri’s largest wildlife rehabilitation facilities.

Free and open to the public, the award-winning facility houses approximately 60 animals including bald eagles and other birds of prey, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. The Nature Center is located within Kansas City’s historic Swope Park and is owned and managed by KC Parks and Recreation. Additional support is provided by Friends of Lakeside Nature Center which provides volunteers and funding.

Educational Programming

Staff naturalists lead on and off-site educational programming that includes:

• wildlife programs featuring one of our educational animals.
• programs are general in nature or focused to fit the needs of your group. Let a naturalist know what you are interested in to tailor a program. 
• program lasts approximately one hour but can be shortened to accommodate needs.

More information is at Educational Programming.

Live Native Animal Displays

Live native animal displays include:

• bald eagle exhibit,
• a weathering area that can be viewed from inside, showcasing the Nature Center’s hawks, owls, falcons and vultures,
• aquariums and displays with several turtles, amphibians, reptiles and fish,
• and several mammals, including rabbits, gray and flying squirrels, an opossum and a coyote.

More information is at Raptor Ambassadors and Educational Animals.

Native Gardens, Habitats and Trails

The many gardens, habitats and trails surrounding the Center showcase:

• several gardens featuring native Missouri prairie flowers and grasses,
• a bird watching area with blind,
• water features including a marsh, pond, creeks, and rivers,
• savanna, prairie and upland and lowland forests with old-growth oak, cottonwood, sycamore and hickory trees,
• insect, butterfly and hummingbird habitats,
• Fox Hollow Trail including the Bethany Falls limestone boulders.

More information is at Gardens, Habitats and Trails.

Rental Spaces

Spaces available for rent for parties, corporate retreats and other events include:

• Lakeside Nature Center Display Hall
• Lakeside Nature Center Classroom
• Lake Lodge
• The Hogan

More information is at Reservations.