  |
 |
 |
 |
Kansas Home
About Us
News
Programs
Technical Resources
Partnerships
Contact Us
|
   |
|
|
Kansas Highlights - May 2007Inside this Issue:
Francis Bennett Receives 2006 Kansas Wildlife Federation Water Conservationist Honor
The KWF Conservation Achievement Awards (CAP) recognizes Kansans who have devoted themselves to conserving the state's natural resources. "I am honored to be named by the Kansas Wildlife Federation as the 2006 Water Conservationist," Bennett said. Bennett has been a leader bringing together stakeholders throughout the Marais des Cygnes Watershed in a comprehensive planning process to develop strategy addressing the water quality issues in the basin. Bennett chaired the Lake Region Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council Management Committee that successfully obtained a grant for the first Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) plan in Kansas. "It is becoming very clear that water issues must be a priority agenda and that the general public must not stand idle and hope that someone out there is going to take care of the future water supply and distribution. People must get more involved," said Bennett. As a member of the Lake Region RC&D Council, Ottawa, for more than 20 years, Bennett led the Council in applying for and receiving an Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water Act Section 319 Grant to hire a forester to promote, plan, and implement riparian tree plantings, timber stand improvement practices, and proper timber harvesting techniques in the Marais des Cygnes River Basin. "I believe the growing of trees as a farm crop along streams and hard-to-farm areas will come about to help water quality and projected bio-energy fuel needs," said Bennett. "This initiative is a first-of-its kind and exciting to see landowners' increased interest in the streams’ health by installing and maintaining forested areas." Bennett is a visionary, unafraid of controversy, especially when it comes to the protection and management of our rivers, wetlands, and their associated natural resources and wildlife. Submitted by Gale Garber, Hillsdale Water Quality Project Director, New Century, KS and Rick Porter, Coordinator, NRCS, Lake Region RC&D, Ottawa, KS LANDCARE Delivers!Looking for a NRCS brochure? Need to order a national NRCS display? Have a question about the Earth Team? Then you need to contact LANDCARE. The LANDCARE office keeps inventory and processes orders for NRCS publications, forms, and displays for NRCS employees and to the general public. Orders may be placed by calling 1-888-LANDCARE, or by visiting the LANDCARE Web site.
Contractor Meeting Held in Area 3
Past president of the Kansas Land Improvement Contractor's Association, KLICA, Paul Hettenbach spoke on the benefits of being a member of KLICA. Article submitted by Patricia Winters, Lincoln County Conservation District Manager, Lincoln, KS Soil Conservation: Sharing the KnowledgeMillions have benefited from belonging to a Boys and Girls Club since the first Club opened its doors in 1860. Bill Cosby, Alex Rodriguez, Brad Pitt, Michael Jordan, President Clinton, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Martin Sheen, Derek Jeter, Neil Diamond, and Denzel Washington are just a few of the participants who have benefited from the Boys and Girls Club programs. Boys and Girls Clubs of America's national programs have taken members from the clubhouse to the White House; from the game room to the corporate boardroom; from the high school orchestra to Carnegie Hall. The Club's programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence. The Club's mission is "to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens."
During the S.K. Worm presentation, the children learned about soil formation and quality. S.K., the official annelid, or worm, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's NRCS answered questions about soil. We discussed how the plants that we planted during the presentations can mimic the plants and grasses used on farms to help reduce soil erosion. Each student in the session received an S.K. Worm certificate for his or her participation. Submitted by Joe Buford, Soil Conservationist, Wichita FO Kansas Flint Hills Featured in April Issue of National GeographicNational Geographic's April 2007 issue examines the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas through the lens of respected photojournalist and Kansas native, Jim Richardson. The 22-page feature section, titled "The Flint Hills: A Kansas Treasure" captures a glimpse of the majesty of this unique Kansas prairie land. To complement the magazine spread and further celebrate the Flint Hills, The National Geographic Society and the Kansas Division of Travel and Tourism are sponsoring a traveling exhibit of 32 large-scale versions of the photographs featured in the magazine. The exhibit, which includes stops across the state of Kansas, opened for the first week of display in the rotunda of the State Capitol in Topeka, March 2007. An extensive 18-month exhibit schedule is planned for more than 30 communities across the state. For a complete exhibit schedule listing, visit the State of Kansas Travel and Tourism Web site. As part of the celebration, posters featuring one of Richardson's Flint Hills photographs will be for sale with proceeds benefiting the Flint Hills Tourism Coalition. "The Flint Hills beckoned because they provide a spectacular landscape in our own backyard," Richardson said. "The Flint Hills should never play second fiddle to our nation's most recognized landmark landscapes." Richardson is a Lindsborg resident and veteran of more than 35 stories for National Geographic and its sister publication, National Geographic Traveler. Interested in the Flint Hills since his early days at The Topeka Capital-Journal, he proposed the Flint Hills story to editors two years ago as part of the magazine's ongoing coverage of the world's most distinctive landscapes. The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. Submitted by Sheila Forrester, Visual Information Specialist, Salina SO Water Conservation – Make It Fun and Discover the Rewards
The festival is an environmental science workshop that offers a diverse range of activities. It is designed to heighten students' awareness about water and other natural resource concerns, as well as define their role in helping to protect them. Teachers were given the opportunity to gain a wealth of up-to-date information on the topics presented and learn new, innovative approaches to teaching these concepts in their classrooms. Water resources are of vital importance to southwest Kansas and also to the future generations who call it home. Young people need to understand how dependent we are on water and the direct effect it has on daily life. Activities like agriculture, recreation, local industry, and wildlife habitat are all connected to water conservation.
The goals of the Ark River Water Festival are to:
Many volunteers assist with the two-day event. Anyone interested in starting their own district festival is invited to come be a volunteer and learn first hand what is needed to produce a successful educational event. The Ark River Water Festival has proven itself over numerous years and thousands of young students. Submitted by Loretta Cecil, Office Automation Assistant, Dodge City AO "Moving Ag Women Forward" - Women Managing the Farm ConferenceFifteen partners, including the Kansas NRCS, began planning early last year for the third annual Women Managing the Farm Conference that was held in February 2007 in Hutchinson. Three hundred and twelve (312) women from Kansas and other states attended. Attendance increased 120 over last year. Attendees ranged from college students to those beyond retirement age. The conference is designed for all women involved in a farming operation from a full-time manger to the absentee landowner needing a bit of insight about managing her investment and anyone in between. Women attending this conference had the opportunity to hear a keynote speaker and other speakers representing agriculture. Jolene Brown, nationally-known speaker and a farm wife from Iowa, delivered the dinner keynote address, "Who's Hiding the Humor" and a presentation at breakfast, "Top Ten Stupid Things Families Do to Break-up Their Business." Breakout sessions covered a wide-range of topics categorized into five tracks: Legal Risk, Financial Risk, Human Risk, Price Risk, and Production Risk. Samplings of topics are: How to Plan Your Estate to Take Advantage of Changing Tax Laws; Investing 101 to Strong Women; Excel Basics for the Farm; and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Farm Business. Fifteen breakout sessions were available. Robert Wimer, district conservationist, South Hutchinson Field Office, gave a breakout presentation about NRCS: Who We Are and What We Do and Conservation Programs available. This year the partners set up booths in the exhibit hall and several outside vendors also participated. The conference provides many opportunities for learning and networking. When the women go home, they can take with them conference materials, and keep in touch through the Women Managing the Farm Web site, networking groups, and Rural Route Women with live chats and message boards. The conference was made possible with a grant through Risk Management Agency Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program and with partner support for speakers, breaks, scholarships (65 scholarships were provided to those who showed a need) and in-kind services.
Submitted by Mary D. Shaffer, Public Affairs Specialist and Outreach Coordinator, Salina SO Kids Teaching Kids – The Perfect World of Water Conservation EducationThe Lakin Environmental Science Class is a true example of what volunteers can do. Every year, Lakin High School teacher Jennifer Bachman and her Environmental Science class return to volunteer at the Ark River Water Festival. In turn, her students go back to their high school and talk to other students about how much fun they had teaching at the water festival. The younger students get excited and can’t wait until it's their turn to volunteer the next year. Learning and teaching water conservation…a win-win situation. Submitted by Loretta Cecil, Office Automation Assistant, Dodge City AO Syracuse Outdoor Classroom
In 1993, the Moose Lodge donated four acres. The outdoor classroom was funded by the Chickadee Check-Off Grant and was designed by Rufus Stephens, wildlife biologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The outdoor classroom is an opportunity to acquaint children with the natural history of their local plants and animals and is a significant part of sound environmental education. Books come alive and students experience highly motivated learning experiences through the use of their senses of feelings, tasting, touching, smelling, seeing, and hearing. As students use this outdoor classroom, they will begin to see patterns and relationships between books, themselves, and their environment. The outdoor classroom features:
The outdoor classroom has been used by Greeley County fifth grade classes for several years, as well as the Stanton County schools. This is in addition to usage by the Hamilton County school since the start. In the past year, a paved walking path has been added to connect the Syracuse Public School ground to the outdoor classroom. This creates opportunities for increased usage. The outdoor classroom is maintained by the Hamilton County Conservation District. Article submitted by: Last Modified: 05/15/2007 |
|
|
|
Francis Bennett, Williamsburg, was named 2006 Water Conservationist by the
Kansas Wildlife Federation (KWF). He is dedicated to improving the quality of
water in the Marais des Cygnes Watershed and beyond. His focus has been on the
conservation, protection, and management of rivers and wetlands, though his work
extends well beyond these resources. 
Over
45 individuals participated in the Lincoln, Ellsworth, Mitchell, and Ottawa
Counties Conservation Districts' joint contractors' meeting for dirt
contractors, plumbers, and tree cutting contractors last March. Topics covered
were state requirements for pesticide use and safety and liability insurance and
bonding for commercial pesticide. 
On
April 5, 2007, I spoke to the Boys and Girls Club of Wichita, Kansas. The
youngsters in second through fifth grade are actively involved in the
Each
spring, three conservation districts in southwest Kansas, combine their time,
talent, and volunteers to host the annual Ark River Water Festival. The
participating county conservation districts are Gray, Kearny, and Finney, the
host. On a yearly basis, over 1,500 fifth and sixth grade students will
participate in the Water Festival. The students will gather at two middle
schools in Garden City for the day-long festival. 
The
students attend conservation-related presentations throughout the day including
the Rainfall Simulator, Groundwater Flow Model, EnviroScape, Stream Model
Trailer, Long Haul, Thunderstorms, The Water Cycle, and Incredible Journey, as
well as the kids favorite class – The Science "Man." 
Syracuse
youth are a big part of the community. Education and activities help mold each
young individual's character. The Syracuse outdoor classroom has become a tool
by engaging the students with hands-on experiences and to have a better
understanding of the text material. 
Back to Top