The grand opening of the Kansas Wetlands Education Center will be held on Friday, 24 April 2009, at Cheyenne Bottoms. The center is operated by the famous Sternberg Museum of Natural History (which is operated by Ft. Hays State University) and has a large exhibit gallery and an expansive viewing area. The state-owned Cheyenne Bottoms has 19,857 acres with an adjoining 7,697 acre-preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy. Cheyenne Bottoms is a major stop for migratory birds on the Central Flyway. Walking trails wind throughout the bottoms. Check out the web site.
The center, built primarily with federal Transportation Enhancement funds, is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend on US 156. It is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and on Sunday from 1:00-5:00 pm. Also see this web site. (Source: The Plainskeeper, The Nature Conservancy, Kansas Chapter, Spring/Summer, 2009)
Bill Sample is digital-mapping the 116-mile Flint Hills Nature Trail which stretches between Osawatomie and Herington. The maps will become available to the public on the Internet. This has already been accomplished for the Prairie Spirit Trail.
Come celebrate the opening of three new hiking trails at the Nature Conservancy's Smoky Valley Ranch Preserve on Visitor's Day on Saturday, 30 May 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The preserve has 16,800 acres of short grass prairie, the endangered black-footed ferret, prairie dog towns, and a bison herd. There will be guided walks on the preserve which is in Logan County along the Colorado border. Bring your lunch and sturdy shoes, sunscreen and a hat. The event is free but reservations are required. To register telephone 785-233-4400 or e-mail by 15 May. (Source: The Plainskeeper, The Nature Conservancy, Kansas Chapter, Spring/Summer, 2009)
Mark your calendar for the third annual Kansas Trails Conference to be held 1, 2, and 3 October 2009 in Topeka at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. As more details become known, they will be made available.
The Annual Meeting of Sunflower Recreational Trails will be held on Sunday 3 May in Concordia. The meeting will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of Cloud County Community College . All trails advocates are invited to attend. The primary topic of discussion will be fundraising. SRT will also have a booth again at the Kansas Sampler which will be happening that weekend in Concordia. Come join in the fun!
The Good Earth Tea and Coffee Giveaway is an opportunity for trails advocates to personally receive $10,000 plus designate their favorite trail group (such as Sunflower Recreational Trails, Inc.) as a $10,000 recipient if the entry is a winner. Go to www.goodearthgiveaway.com to enter. The deadline is 19 May. Also, don't forget that every time you use www.goodsearch.com as your search engine, a small donation will also go to your favorite trails organization.