News and Announcements
We are dedicated to providing current and accurate information about the Konza Environmental Education Program and Konza Prairie Biological Station. If you need more information or would like photographs, or if you would like to interview a member of our staff, please contact us directly.
Environmental Educator & Naturalist
Dr. Valerie F. Wright
785/587-0381
konzaed@ksu.edu
Director
Dr. John Briggs
785/587-0441
konza@ksu.edu
(Read more at http://www.ksu.edu/biology/news.html) K-State's Konza Prairie a Candidate Site for Scientists From Across the Country to Study the Effects of Global Change
July, 2008. Manhattan -- A Kansas State University grassland holds the potential to help scientists better understand the effects of global change on the earth's ecosystems. K-State's Konza Prairie Biological Station has been selected as a candidate core site for the proposed National Ecological Observatory Network, also known as NEON. (Read more at
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jul08/neon71408.html) Ecologist Returns to K-State as New Director of the Konza Prairie Biological Station
June, 2008. Manhattan -- The allure of the tallgrass prairie is nothing new to Kansas native John Briggs, the new director of the Konza Prairie Biological Station and professor of biology at Kansas State University. In fact, Briggs finds the prairie addicting. "It just gets into you," he said. Briggs was hired as the first nationally recruited director of the Konza Prairie Biological Station. (Read more at
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jun08/briggs62608.html) Konza Prairie remains one of Kansas' near-pristine and rare vistas
May, 2007. Manhattan -- This time of year a vast ocean wave of emerald covers the Konza Prairie. "We're on the western edge of the original tallgrass prairie," said Valerie Wright, Education Director for the Konza Prairie Biological Station. The original tallgrass prairie stretched about four million square miles from Canada to Texas. And now? (Read more at
http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2007/may/31/konza_prairie/) Konza Prairie makes National Geographic special feature
April, 2007. A special feature in the April issue of the National Geographic magazine explores the tallgrass prairie ecosystem in the heartland of the United States. Written by Verlyn Klinkenborg, “Splendor of the Grass” is centered around the Flint Hills of Kansas, home of the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program. (Read more at
http://www.lternet.edu/news/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=130) K-State Konza Prairie Environmental Educator Receives Award
February, 2007. Manhattan -- The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education has selected Kansas State University's Valerie Wright, Konza Prairie Biological Station environmental educator and naturalist, for the association's Award for Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education, preK-16 educator category. (Read more at
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/newsreleases/feb07/wright22107.html)
KEEP Website Given Study Sphere Award of ExcellenceJuly, 2006. StudySphere selected the Konza Environmental Education Program website as one of the best educational resources on the Web. StudySphere is one of the Internet's fastest growing sites of educational resources for students, teachers and parents. StudySphere has scoured the Internet to select only the finest sites to be included within its listing of educational links. Alumnus' Gift, National Science Foundation Grant Helping Renovate K-State Konza Prairie Barn
February, 2006. Manhattan -- Kansas State University is giving an old barn at the Konza Prairie Biological Station a second life thanks to the generosity of an alumnus and other funding sources. A historic limestone barn on the native tallgrass prairie preserve south of Manhattan will be renovated to make more room for research scientists. (Read more at
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/konzabarn22006.html) Newfound Grasshopper Takes to the Trees on Konza Prairie
April, 2004. Manhattan -- Grasses typify the Great Plains, so it's not surprising that more than 108 species of grasshoppers are at home on the range in the central United States. However, a grasshopper that doesn't love grass lives in Kansas too, a recent discovery at Konza Prairie Biological Station shows. This newfound hopper prefers trees. (Read more at
http://www.k-state.edu/konza/keep/about/hopper.pdf) Life, Research on a Tallgrass Prairie, the Konza Prairie
June, 2002. Since it was established in 1971, the Konza Prairie Biological Station has developed into a research facility that attracts scientists from throughout the world, according to station director David Hartnett, professor of biology at K-State. "The Konza Prairie Biological Station has become a magnet for scientists from many institutions who are interested in doing research in grassland ecosystems," Hartnett said. (Read more at
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/Webzine/konza/index.html)