Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari - Ashland, Nebraska Wildlife Park

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari is a drive through Wildlife Park situated off Interstate 80 at 292nd Street in Ashland, Nebraska. It is approximately 22 miles from Omaha/Lincoln near Mahoney State Park and the Strategic Air and Space Museum. The park is open from 9.30am to 5pm each day between the end of March and the end of October.

This attraction first began in 1998 and is part of the Omaha Zoo Foundation, which also features the Henry Doorly Zoo, which is located in nearby Omaha. The conservation park and safari is named after Dr Lee Simmons, who was the resident vet at the Omaha zoo and became its director in 1970. Dr. Simmons is now Chairman of the Foundation Board and has helped to add many of the exhibits at Omaha Zoo such as the Lied Jungle, the Walter and Suzanne Scott Kingdoms of the Seas Aquarium, Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research, Desert Dome and Hubbard Gorilla Valley amongst other things.

The safari itself is approximately a four mile drive where visitors can see various gardens, prairies and wetlands filled with North American plants, many of which are native to the state of Nebraska. They can also get close up views of the animals such as antelope, bison, elk, waterfowl and white-tailed deer. The whole area is approximately 440 acres with half of it used for conservation and breeding of rare and endangered wildlife.

Visitors will be able to see large hoofstock roaming around the prairies with wild turkeys amongst them, whilst cranes, ducks, swans, geese and pelicans are also easy to spot at the pond areas. A short walk across a historic bridge will enable visitors to see black bears and a family of gray wolves at Wolf Canyon as well as other species native to North America. Different trails are available for various degrees of fitness and experience in hiking, and the Wolf Canyon foot trail is suitable for beginners, whereas the Moose Lake foot trail is more suited to experienced hikers.

Handicap accessibility is available at the Canyon walkways and Elk Overlook, which also has telescopes for visitors to get even better views of the scenery and wildlife. Tram rides are available for a small fee, although these must be reserved at least two weeks in advance. The park has a visitor center featuring interactive nature exhibits, small plant and animal displays, a gift shop, restrooms and concession area, as well as nine large bronze bison sculptures at the entrance.

As well as the trips around the park visitors can quiz staff, who are happy to provide visitors with information about the area and its inhabitants. This includes arranging camping experiences, daytime hikes and walking safaris, which all form part of the education program offered at the park. Other educational activities available include cookouts, family breakfasts, classes and lectures given by experts including biologists and naturalists.