Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
Our Mission & History
From a family’s gift of land to a thriving refuge for bison, elk, and tallgrass prairie—this is the story of Maxwell and the people who chose to protect it.
✦ Location
Near Canton, Kansas — Tallgrass Prairie
✦ Focus
Conservation, Wildlife, Education, Community
Why This Story Matters
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is more than a scenic stop – it’s a living piece of Kansas history, protected so future generations can experience the prairie as it once was.
- One of the few places to see free-roaming bison and elk on native prairie.
- Born from a land donation dedicated to conservation.
- Guided by a mission to protect, restore, and educate.
A Mission Born From the Kansas Prairie
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge stands as one of Kansas’ last true windows into the mixed grass prairie—a living reminder of what the Great Plains looked like before fences, highways, and modern development reshaped the land.
The refuge began with a simple idea: protect the prairie and the wildlife that depend on it. That vision took root when the Maxwell family chose to donate this land so it could remain wild, preserved, and cared for by future generations.
What started as a single, generous act of conservation has grown into a long-term commitment to steward this landscape—its grasses, its wildlife, and its story.
A Legacy of Conservation
In the early 1900s, Maxwell became home to a small herd of American bison and elk—animals that once roamed this region by the millions.
As wild herds disappeared across much of North America, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge became a safe haven. Here, bison and elk could once again move, graze, and raise their young on open prairie.
Over the decades, careful management, habitat restoration, and community support have helped the refuge grow into one of the most accessible places in the Midwest to experience these iconic animals in a natural setting.
Conservation Highlights
Today, the refuge continues to focus on:
Maintaining healthy bison and elk herds through ethical herd management. Protecting native grasses and wildflowers that define the tallgrass prairie. Preserving open space where wildlife, land, and sky still feel connected.
From Preservation to Education
As the refuge grew, so did its purpose. What began as a protected parcel of land expanded into a full conservation and education mission.
Looking Forward: Preserving the Prairie for Tomorrow
While Maxwell Wildlife Refuge honors the past, its mission is firmly rooted in the future.
Our continuing mission: To preserve, protect, and share the wildlife, land, and prairie heritage of Kansas—ensuring future generations can experience the same natural beauty we enjoy today.
With ongoing conservation work, expanding educational outreach, and a loyal community of supporters, the refuge remains a living, breathing part of Kansas’ future. Every tour taken, every student visit, and every quiet moment on the prairie helps keep this mission alive.