Konza Prairie Biennial Visitors’ Day
Date:
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Time:
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Description:
Konza Prairie Biological Station is an 8,600-acre native tallgrass prairie preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy and Kansas State University, and operated as a field research station by the K-State Division of Biology. Konza Prairie is dedicated to a three-fold mission of long-term ecological research, education, and prairie conservation.
Visitors’ Day is presented by K-State Division of Biology, The Nature Conservancy and Friends of Konza Prairie, biennially in even years. Visitors’ Day activities grant guided access to restricted areas of the field research station, such as to see the bison herd or hikes within the trail system. At Station Headquarters, view live animal displays and research exhibits and learn about tallgrass prairie conservation and management. Konza Prairie researchers, docents, and staff provide visitors information about Konza Prairie research, history of the site, Flint Hills geology, tallgrass prairie flora and fauna, and other natural history.
Image Gallery of Visitors' Day
Station Activities
Driving Tours
See the tallgrass! This 1½ hour tour through the research areas and bison enclosure departs every 10 minutes beginning at 8:00 am. Last van departing at 4:00 pm.
Hay Wagon Rides
Tour the prairie by hay wagon! This 1 hour tour departs every 30 minutes beginning at 8:30 am. Last wagon departing at 3:30 pm.
Homestead Tour
Visit Hokanson Homestead to tour the original limestone barn, relax in the wildlife observation lean-to and walk a wooded trail along Kings Creek. Walk in from the Nature Trail at your leisure, or roundtrip transportation provided between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Guided Hikes
Take a walk on the prairie or a guided tour of the research plots! Guided hikes will be conducted throughout the day beginning at 8:00 am. Some are short (1 mile); some are longer (6 miles).
Important information about our trail system
Activities for Youth
Become a Junior Ecologist! Pick up an activity booklet and return it, completed, for your Konza Prairie Junior Ecologist button.
Discover grasshoppers! Learn to sweep for grasshoppers like a Konza Prairie researcher. Add your hoppers to our terrarium and view over 40 species archived in our display cases.
Touch a bison skin! Learn about the American Bison through its skin, skull, horn and other artifacts.
Youth activities are coordinated from the Hulbert Education Center, lower level of the Ranch House.
Video Presentations
Learn about tallgrass prairie ecology! Every hour between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm join Konza Prairie researchers for presentations describing the purpose of Konza Prairie, its habitats, the experimental management plan, and ongoing ecological research.
Displays and Exhibits
Hear, see, and feel! Discover prairie life and the effects of fire and grazing. See the prairie as a satellite sees it. Learn about prairie history and current research through poster displays and exhibits. Explore live prairie animal and plant displays.
The Nature Conservancy and Friends of Konza Prairie
The Friends of Konza Prairie will offer Konza Prairie t-shirts, hats, posters, mugs, and other items for sale.
Visit The Nature Conservancy booth for information and book sales.
Location:
Station Headquarters, pass the Nature Trail kiosk and around the corner to the right
Directions:
Konza Prairie Biological Station
For more information, contact:
Dr. Valerie Wright
Environmental Educator and Naturalist