Program History

In 1996, with the urging of the Friends of Konza Prairie, the K-State Division of Biology hired a part-time Environmental Educator to develop a more formal program for educating the public about Konza Prairie Biological Station, with special emphasis on school children. The Konza Environmental Education Program (KEEP) has as its mission for K-12 and public/adult programs to:

enhance the understanding of the ecology of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem,
increase understanding of the process and value of science,
increase public appreciation for the importance of scientific research as a foundation for sound grassland conservation and management.

2008

First full-time Director of Konza Prairie Biological Station

2007

KEEP website appearance and content redesigned

2006

KEEP 10th Anniversary celebration!
Youth activities during Biennial Visitors' Day include Junior Ecologist certificate
First full-time Assistant to the Environmental Educator
Friends of Konza Prairie Presenter's Bureau initiated

2005

First Prairies Across Kansas Teachers’ Workshop
First data collected at “satellite” prairie sites (Prairies Across Kansas)

2004

Statewide program, Prairies Across Kansas, initiated
Docent coordination transferred from a volunteer position to KEEP office
Phenological animal list initiated (Who's Here?)

2002

Hokanson Homestead renovation completed
Docent Program celebrates 10th Anniversary

2001

William T. Hornaday Award for Distinguished Service to Natural Resource Conservation earned by Boy Scouts of America Troop #74 for renovation and conservation of the Hokanson Homestead

First part-time Assistant to the Environmental Educator
First Teacher's Technology Workshop
Composting toilet built on Nature Trail with Kansas Department of Travel & Tourism grant
Phenological plant list initiated (What's Blooming?)

2000

Following discussions and vote by the Konza Prairie Faculty Advisory Committee and Konza Prairie research scientists, the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area was re-named Konza Prairie Biological Station. This new name more accurately reflects Konza Prairie's primary mission of biological research and education and its association with the K-State Division of Biology. In addition, this new name is more consistent with those of other Organization of Biological Field Stations members. It more clearly identifies Konza Prairie as both a field site and a station with on-site research and housing facilities separate from the KSU campus. This change in the official name was effective March 2000.

First Assistant to the Environmental Educator, volunteer position
KEEP launched student-generated interactive databases

1999

First Annual Friends of Konza Prairie Wildflower Walk!
National Science Foundation / Schoolyard Long-Term Ecological Research (SLTER) program developed; First SLTER Teacher's Workshop

Boy Scouts of America Troop #74 and volunteers begin work on renovation and conservation of the Hokanson Homestead

Docent newsletter name changed to "Tallgrass Gazette" as docents take charge of publication

1998

Initial funding through National Science Foundation Schoolyard Long-Term Ecological Research program

Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site grant for Hokanson Homestead
KEEP website launched

1997

Development of Butterfly Hill Trail
First Teachers’ Workshops - 3 workshops held

1996

Hulbert Center renovation
Environmental Educator hired; Konza Environmental Education Program established
Docent newsletter initiated by Environmental Educator, "A View from the Prairie"

1994

Friends of Konza Prairie established

1992

Docent Program established
Docent coordination by volunteers

Before 1992

K-State faculty & graduate students gave Konza Prairie tours upon request