Flint Hills Discovery Center

The Vision

We aim to serve as a principle place for learning and understanding about the tallgrass prairie and the Flint Hills eco-region in particular; to assure its long-term preservation.

The Mission

We exist to educate all our visitors about the unique eco-region of the Flint Hills of Kansas and the Osage Hills of northern Oklahoma; to inspire our visitors to go out and experience this landscape for themselves, so they will become better stewards of this very important place.

To accomplish this, we have developed an extensive array of exhibits and programs that are exciting, educational and authentic, so as to engage visitors of all ages from all walks of life. We have meticulously crafted and developed these exhibits and programs to promote inter-generational education and to inspire a life-long commitment to learning. The research used to develop our displays and activities are the result of active partnerships with many different people and organizations.

Finally, we acknowledge that, to fulfill this mission and vision, the Flint Hills Discovery Center needs to be a living, growing and evolving institution capable of fulfilling long-term sustainability goals on a physical, philosophical and financial level. By creating an engaging and educational atmosphere, we generate substantial earned and donated revenue. At the same time, the Flint Hills Discovery Center supports the cultural and economic revitalization of Manhattan's south end, as well as serving as a gathering place for community events.

History

The Flint Hills Discovery Center is the sum result of a community dream born from the hard work and dedication of hundreds of individuals - including volunteers, elected officials, consultants, contractors and citizens. Located in the heart of downtown Manhattan, Kansas, the Flint Hills Discovery Center celebrates the importance of the geology, ecology, and cultural history of the Flint Hills.

The facility opened to the public on April 14, 2012, with exhibits designed to encourage visitors to explore firsthand the many special places within the 22 county Flint Hills region of Kansas. This family-focused, informal learning center explores the science and history of the Flint Hills and the ongoing role of Kansans to act as stewards for this diverse and ecologically complex place.

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