Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary

The Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary is located at 7300 SW West Park Road in Blue Springs, Missouri. The building serves as our headquarters and public outreach space and houses our extensive natural history library.
Visitors are welcome to watch birds at the feeders outside from our two indoor seating areas using our binoculars or your own. We also have free information available in the form of handouts and brochures, as well as bird seed and gifts for sale.
You will be able to download our monthly brochures here with information about FREE programs once we begin scheduling spring events.
Hours of Operation
The Nature Center is open on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM noon to 4:00 PM. Since the center is staffed by volunteers, you may want to call or text us (816/795-8177) before arriving to make sure the building will be open.
History of the Nature Center
Before Fleming Park was established, the “Audubon House” belonged to Jim and Lois Wolfe. The couple owned the Jackson County Democrat newspaper, and Lois taught journalism at Blue Springs High School. The Wolfes hosted a black-eyed pea New Year’s Day party every year for local and state politicians, and Lois even invited her students in 1959. Once the park opened, the building served as the first park ranger’s home before becoming the park biologist’s office. Burroughs has occupied the building since 1974 as a partner with Jackson County Parks + Rec. The post-WWII house even retains its original St. Charles mid-century modern steel kitchen cabinets. Come watch birds and wildlife in this peaceful place!
Natural History Library
Burroughs Audubon has a complete natural history library with more than 2,548 titles—the only natural history collection that is comparable to New York City Audubon! Some of our categories include conservation, gardening, mammals, animal culture, fish, birds, insects, zoology, natural history, decorative arts, description and travel, environment, teaching, and reference. While our books are not available to check out, we encourage you to spend time browsing and reading onsite for research, knowledge, and enjoyment.
Esther O’Connor Wildflower Prairie
Named in honor of a beloved member and original librarian and caretaker, the Esther O’Connor Wildflower Prairie is a small, but botanically diverse planting that attempts to recreate a little piece of the tallgrass prairie landscape that once covered large areas of the Kansas City region. The planting was expertly and caringly established decades ago for the benefit of people and wildlife alike.