On September 13 and 14, members of the Kansas Native Plant Society will partner with Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve to present a wide variety of programs, hikes, and activities showcasing the fall plants and wildflowers of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. On Saturday, Mike Haddock, editor of Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses, will lead a presentation on photographing tallgrass prairie wildflowers and grasses at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. followed by tallgrass prairie ecology and native plant identification hikes at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tallgrass prairie ecology and native plant identification hikes are scheduled hourly from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. with medicinal and edible plant hikes scheduled at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Bottomland prairie restoration hikes and talks are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. along the Bottomland Trail. Visitors also have the opportunity to learn how to make paper using native plants and natural dyes from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the historic limestone barn, with special presentations at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
On Sunday, September 14th the fun continues with bottomland prairie restoration hikes and talks from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. along the Bottomland Trail. Native plant dyeing and spinning demonstrations will be held in the historic limestone barn from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hour-long tallgrass prairie ecology and native plant identification hikes will be presented at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. a wildflower identification presentation will be given by Jeff Hansen, former president of the Kansas Native Plant Society. Visitors can learn more about the Kansas Native Plant Society by visiting the information booth in the historic limestone barn available both days or go to www.kansasnativeplantsociety.org. EXPERI E N CE YOUR AMERICA The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
Kids learn the importance of and skills necessary to "Leave No Trace" as they complete the Leave No Trace Scavenger Hunt using a pencil and piece of paper. Upon completion, kids earn a special Leave No Trace patch. Program is available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days of the special event.
A 6.4-mile bus tour of the preserve’s more remote backcountry is available at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. daily through October 26, 2008. The cost is $5.00 per adult and $3.00 for ages 5 – 18 years. There is no charge for children age 4 and under. Advance reservations for the bus tours are recommended, but arrangements can be made on the day of the visit if space is available. For more information, please call the park rangers’ offices at (620) 273-8494.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a public/private partnership with the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the Kansas Park Trust. Located two miles north of Strong City on Kansas State Highway 177 (the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway), the preserve’s historic ranch headquarters is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. For more information or to make group reservations, visit the preserve’s website at www.nps.gov/tapr, e-mail tapr_interpretation@nps.gov, or call the preserve at (620) 273-8494.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
KNPS Annual Wildflower Weekend
October 3rd, 4th, and 5th in Hays, KS
The theme this year is “Ethnobotany – cultural uses of native plants”. Highlights of the weekend include our silent auction and photo contest, as well as the following.
Presentation: “Native medicinal plants of the prairie”
Presentation: “Dyeing wool with native plants”
Tour Site 1 Private Ranch north of Hays: Site of Echinacea study
Tour Site 2 Cedar Bluff Reservoir - Wildlife Area - Bluffs
Tour Site 3 Wilson Reservoir – Lucas Park - Rocktown Natural Area
The theme this year is “Ethnobotany – cultural uses of native plants”. Highlights of the weekend include our silent auction and photo contest, as well as the following.
Presentation: “Native medicinal plants of the prairie”
Presentation: “Dyeing wool with native plants”
Tour Site 1 Private Ranch north of Hays: Site of Echinacea study
Tour Site 2 Cedar Bluff Reservoir - Wildlife Area - Bluffs
Tour Site 3 Wilson Reservoir – Lucas Park - Rocktown Natural Area
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Third Biennial Coblentz Prairie Foray
Sunday, Jun 1st, 2008
County: Douglas
1pm. This glaciated tallgrass prairie offers diverse native plants as well as uncommon birds like Henslow's Sparrow, notable insects like Golden Byssus skippers, and interesting rocks like Sioux Quartzite. This may be the furthest south the glaciers advanced in Kansas, and large pink and red Sioux Quartzite boulders, glacial erratics, can be found in several areas. Among the 270 recorded plant species, we hope to see the federally protected Mead's milkweed, Prairie phlox, Starry Catchfly, Topeka Purple-coneflower, and Tall Cinquefoil! Other plants of interest include the Adder's Tongue Fern --one of the few prairie ferns and Cluster fescue (Festuca paradoxa) --a fescue rarely found in Kansas. Kansas Native Plant Society and Grassland Heritage Foundation co-sponsor this event. Co-leaders: Jeff Hansen, KNPS President and GHF Board Member and Shirley Braunlich, KNPS Board Member. Coblentz Prairie is 40-minutes west of Lawrence, KS in west-central Douglas County at the intersection of E 1 Road and North 1150th Road; it is part of the Clinton Wildlife area. Meet a half-mile east of the intersection on the south side of North 1150 Rd. (785) 864-3453
County: Douglas
1pm. This glaciated tallgrass prairie offers diverse native plants as well as uncommon birds like Henslow's Sparrow, notable insects like Golden Byssus skippers, and interesting rocks like Sioux Quartzite. This may be the furthest south the glaciers advanced in Kansas, and large pink and red Sioux Quartzite boulders, glacial erratics, can be found in several areas. Among the 270 recorded plant species, we hope to see the federally protected Mead's milkweed, Prairie phlox, Starry Catchfly, Topeka Purple-coneflower, and Tall Cinquefoil! Other plants of interest include the Adder's Tongue Fern --one of the few prairie ferns and Cluster fescue (Festuca paradoxa) --a fescue rarely found in Kansas. Kansas Native Plant Society and Grassland Heritage Foundation co-sponsor this event. Co-leaders: Jeff Hansen, KNPS President and GHF Board Member and Shirley Braunlich, KNPS Board Member. Coblentz Prairie is 40-minutes west of Lawrence, KS in west-central Douglas County at the intersection of E 1 Road and North 1150th Road; it is part of the Clinton Wildlife area. Meet a half-mile east of the intersection on the south side of North 1150 Rd. (785) 864-3453
Coffey County Wildflower Tour
Saturday, May 31st, 2008
County: Coffey
9:30-11:30am. Join the Coffey County Conservation District and Kansas Native Plant Society for a walking wildflower tour near Coffey County Lake. Enjoy refreshments before the tour and a cookout after the tour. We will meet at the Black Bear Bosin Shelter house, south of the Eisenhower Educational Building. Directions: One mile east of Hwy 75 on 17th Road, then south to the shelter. On Hwy 75, 17th Road is 10 miles south of I-35 or 5 miles north of Burlington. There is no charge but you must RSVP by May 23rd. Also contact us for information on camping, hotels, dining and shopping in the area. Please call Kristi Vogts or Mary Lou Ponder during business hours (620) 364-2182 ext. 3 or Krista Dahlinger on evenings or weekends (316) 258-6341.
County: Coffey
9:30-11:30am. Join the Coffey County Conservation District and Kansas Native Plant Society for a walking wildflower tour near Coffey County Lake. Enjoy refreshments before the tour and a cookout after the tour. We will meet at the Black Bear Bosin Shelter house, south of the Eisenhower Educational Building. Directions: One mile east of Hwy 75 on 17th Road, then south to the shelter. On Hwy 75, 17th Road is 10 miles south of I-35 or 5 miles north of Burlington. There is no charge but you must RSVP by May 23rd. Also contact us for information on camping, hotels, dining and shopping in the area. Please call Kristi Vogts or Mary Lou Ponder during business hours (620) 364-2182 ext. 3 or Krista Dahlinger on evenings or weekends (316) 258-6341.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
PRAIRIE RECONSTRUCTION
Volunteers are needed to prepare soil and seed one and a half acres with seven species of grass and more than 30 species of wildflowers. The historic site is near the junction of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails.
Join members of the Santa Fe Trails Association, Kansas City Historic Trails Associations, and Oregon & California Trails Association and members of other Gardner, Kansas, community associations.
SATURDAY, MAY 24 – COME WHEN YOU CAN.
9:00 a.m. to Noon – join a seeding team to mix and broadcast seed. There are four different mixes.
1:00 to 3:30 p.m. – finish seeding. Start covering seed and begin to place dry land plants and wetland plants. Bring boots!
SUNDAY, MAY 25
10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. – prepare soil adjacent to walkways for seeding Buffalo Grass. Finish seeding shade mix and dry land seed.
1:00 to 3:30 p.m. – Place plants and finish project.
The site is located on Highway 56 at 183rd St., which is two miles west of downtown Gardner, or 17 miles east of Highway 59 or 13 miles east of Baldwin City. The information shelter and Parking Lot I visible on the north side of the highway. Look for the signs.
For more information please contact:
John Atkinson: 816-233-3924
Cell: 816-351-5764
E-mail:Atkinson@stjoelive.com
Fred Markham: 816-356-0498
Cell: 816-665-0043
E-mail: dmarkeind@aol.com
Join members of the Santa Fe Trails Association, Kansas City Historic Trails Associations, and Oregon & California Trails Association and members of other Gardner, Kansas, community associations.
SATURDAY, MAY 24 – COME WHEN YOU CAN.
9:00 a.m. to Noon – join a seeding team to mix and broadcast seed. There are four different mixes.
1:00 to 3:30 p.m. – finish seeding. Start covering seed and begin to place dry land plants and wetland plants. Bring boots!
SUNDAY, MAY 25
10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. – prepare soil adjacent to walkways for seeding Buffalo Grass. Finish seeding shade mix and dry land seed.
1:00 to 3:30 p.m. – Place plants and finish project.
The site is located on Highway 56 at 183rd St., which is two miles west of downtown Gardner, or 17 miles east of Highway 59 or 13 miles east of Baldwin City. The information shelter and Parking Lot I visible on the north side of the highway. Look for the signs.
For more information please contact:
John Atkinson: 816-233-3924
Cell: 816-351-5764
E-mail:Atkinson@stjoelive.com
Fred Markham: 816-356-0498
Cell: 816-665-0043
E-mail: dmarkeind@aol.com
Friday, April 4, 2008
April Events
Haskell Baker Wetlands Service Outing
Saturday, Apr 12th, 2008
County: Douglas
Lawrence, KS. Dr. Roger Boyd, Baker Wetlands Coordinator, has several projects that we will work on. We will remove invasive Tatarian honeysuckle, prune trees on the north levee, install wood duck boxes, and repair several bad spots in the Boardwalk. The Wakarusa Group of the Kansas Sierra Club is sponsoring this event. Further details and directions will be announced on the Wakarusa Group email notices list. Sign up for the email notices by contacting Carey Maynard-Moody (785) 842-6517.
Green Landscape Techniques for the Homeowner
Sunday, Apr 13th, 2008
County: Douglas
Class at Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, KS, 2-3pm. Learn to use safer, healthier techniques for creating a great landscape in your yard. Selecting appropriate plants and using safer chemicals for controlling herbicides and pesticides will be the focus of this class. Class is open to ages: 18 and older, fee: $3. Registration is limited to 40 attendees. (785) 832-7980
Papermaking from Plants Workshop
Saturday, Apr 19th, 2008
County: Shawnee
Karlyle Woods in Topeka, KS. Jeff Hansen, KNPS Past President, will teach us how to make paper using native plant fibers. In this class we will learn the different types of plant fiber, the process of extracting the fiber from the plant, and the process of forming sheets of paper from the resulting fiber. We will work in teams of two with each team processing a different plant fiber into paper. The resulting paper will be shared equally among class members. Class runs from noon to 4pm. Karlyle Woods is located at 3440 NW Button Rd in Topeka. The cost of the workshop is $25 and is limited to 12 people (Ages 12 and up). All materials and equipment are provided. Food will also be provided. Please sign up by contacting Jeff Hansen (785) 806-6917.
Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, Apr 19th, 2008
County: na
Missouri Prairie Foundation Spring Plant Sales 7am - noon. Location: City Market, 5th & Walnut, Kansas City, MO. [http://www.moprairie.org] (888) 843-6739
Prairie Maintenance
Saturday, Apr 19th, 2008
County: Jackson
Volunteers are needed for prairie maintenance and preservation projects. Assist the Grassland Heritage Foundation Groundhogs [www.grasslandheritage.org]. Wear appropriate clothing. No special skills or tools needed. For details, please contact Frank Norman, Kansas Native Plant Society Board Member (785) 887-6775 (home) or (785) 691-9748 (cell).
Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, Apr 26th, 2008
County: na
Missouri Prairie Foundation Spring Plant Sales 7am - noon. Location: City Market, 5th & Walnut, Kansas City, MO. [http://www.moprairie.org] (888) 843-6739
Gardening for Wildlife Class
Sunday, Apr 27th, 2008
County: Douglas
Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, KS, 2-3pm. Create a mini-wildlife sanctuary in your own yard using plants designed to provide food and cover for wildlife. Learn about including the right food plants, nesting structures and hiding places. Class is open to ages: 18 and older, fee: $3. Registration is limited to 40 attendees. (785) 832-7980
Saturday, Apr 12th, 2008
County: Douglas
Lawrence, KS. Dr. Roger Boyd, Baker Wetlands Coordinator, has several projects that we will work on. We will remove invasive Tatarian honeysuckle, prune trees on the north levee, install wood duck boxes, and repair several bad spots in the Boardwalk. The Wakarusa Group of the Kansas Sierra Club is sponsoring this event. Further details and directions will be announced on the Wakarusa Group email notices list. Sign up for the email notices by contacting Carey Maynard-Moody (785) 842-6517.
Green Landscape Techniques for the Homeowner
Sunday, Apr 13th, 2008
County: Douglas
Class at Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, KS, 2-3pm. Learn to use safer, healthier techniques for creating a great landscape in your yard. Selecting appropriate plants and using safer chemicals for controlling herbicides and pesticides will be the focus of this class. Class is open to ages: 18 and older, fee: $3. Registration is limited to 40 attendees. (785) 832-7980
Papermaking from Plants Workshop
Saturday, Apr 19th, 2008
County: Shawnee
Karlyle Woods in Topeka, KS. Jeff Hansen, KNPS Past President, will teach us how to make paper using native plant fibers. In this class we will learn the different types of plant fiber, the process of extracting the fiber from the plant, and the process of forming sheets of paper from the resulting fiber. We will work in teams of two with each team processing a different plant fiber into paper. The resulting paper will be shared equally among class members. Class runs from noon to 4pm. Karlyle Woods is located at 3440 NW Button Rd in Topeka. The cost of the workshop is $25 and is limited to 12 people (Ages 12 and up). All materials and equipment are provided. Food will also be provided. Please sign up by contacting Jeff Hansen (785) 806-6917.
Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, Apr 19th, 2008
County: na
Missouri Prairie Foundation Spring Plant Sales 7am - noon. Location: City Market, 5th & Walnut, Kansas City, MO. [http://www.moprairie.org] (888) 843-6739
Prairie Maintenance
Saturday, Apr 19th, 2008
County: Jackson
Volunteers are needed for prairie maintenance and preservation projects. Assist the Grassland Heritage Foundation Groundhogs [www.grasslandheritage.org]. Wear appropriate clothing. No special skills or tools needed. For details, please contact Frank Norman, Kansas Native Plant Society Board Member (785) 887-6775 (home) or (785) 691-9748 (cell).
Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, Apr 26th, 2008
County: na
Missouri Prairie Foundation Spring Plant Sales 7am - noon. Location: City Market, 5th & Walnut, Kansas City, MO. [http://www.moprairie.org] (888) 843-6739
Gardening for Wildlife Class
Sunday, Apr 27th, 2008
County: Douglas
Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, KS, 2-3pm. Create a mini-wildlife sanctuary in your own yard using plants designed to provide food and cover for wildlife. Learn about including the right food plants, nesting structures and hiding places. Class is open to ages: 18 and older, fee: $3. Registration is limited to 40 attendees. (785) 832-7980
Wildflower Seeds Germinating
The wildflowers that I planted in pots last fall are beginning to germinate. I notice most of the asters and goldenrods have germinated as well as the beardtongues. The evening primrose are germinating too. Milkweeds have not, but they tend to like warmer temperatures. Seeds in the garden haven't germinated. I need to put some grass clippings on the row to keep the soil moist.
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