Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne visits with Neal Smith NWR's Pauline Drobney, during his visit to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, August 5. - Photo by John Jennings

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne toured of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, August 5. Secretary Kempthorne used the opportunity to assess some of the refuge's prairie reconstruction projects, and lauded the refuge enviromnmental education program.

"This is a treasure," Kempthorne said as he stood on the Prairie Overlook Trail near the Prairie Learning Center. "The passion you all have for the prairie is very evident. It's beautiful, but very tough. With the prairie grasses over your head, it shows that our ancestors were visionaries."

Kempthorne also noted that even though the government is currently in a deficit reduction mode right now, he understands the need for continued funding for the nation's National Wildlife Refuge System.

"We will continue to be good stewards of the land," he said.