Kansas Native Plant Society coming events

Biology teachers and other interested parties should consider checking out the KNPS .  Below you’ll find a calendar of events from now through June, state wide.

Upcoming Events for Apr 12th to Jun 11th, 2011

Woodland Wildflower Walk • Wyandotte County
F.L. Schlagle Library • 4051 West Drive • Kansas City, KS • Map
Sat, Apr 16th @ 10am-noon

Bring your hiking shoes and hit the trail as we take a walk in the woods of Wyandotte County Lake Park in search of spring wildflowers. Meet at Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library to begin our search for Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty and other seasonal wonders. Please call 913.299.2384 to reserve a spot for this program.

Contact: Craig Hensley (913) 299-2384
Sponsor: Kansas City Kansas Public LIbrary

Prairie Management at Snyder Prairie • Jackson County
158th Rd & U Rd • Mayetta, KS • Map
Sat, Apr 16th

The Grassland Heritage Foundation Groundhogs meet on the third Saturday of every month except December. Activities include brush cutting, controlled burning, seed collecting, and spraying noxious weeds. No special skills or tools needed. Contact Frank to help.

Contact: Frank Norman (785) 691-9748
Sponsor: Grassland Heritage Foundation

Shunga Bioblitz • Shawnee County
Felker Park • 2540 SW Gage Blvd. • Topeka, KS • Map
Sat, Apr 16th @ 6am-11pm

A BioBlitz is a study where a group of volunteers conduct a one day intensive biological inventory, attempting to identify and record all species of living organisms in a given area. Some types of organisms we hope to inventory: Plants, Fungus, Insects, Spiders, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Birds, and Mammals. You can participate for any amount of time on the day of the event.

The bioblitz will take place in a complex of parks along Shunga Creek in southwest Topeka. This Complex of parks includes Wells Park, Warren Nature Area, and Big Shunga Park. Shunga Creek runs through the south edge of the area. There is a wetland in the center of Warren Nature Area. Woodlands are mostly along the creek and grasslands are found north of the creek. The total area is estimated to be about 300 acres.The area is bordered by Gage Blvd on the west, the VA & KNI on the north, Macvicar on the east, and 29th Street on the south. Meet at the Felker Park Parking Lot, 2540 SW Gage Blvd.

Contact: Jeff Hansen 785-806-6917
More Info: Shunga Bioblitz
Sponsor: Topeka Audubon Society

Nature Conservancy Earth Day Lecture • Sedgwick County
Mid-America All Indian Center • 650 N. Seneca • Wichita, KS • Map
Thu, Apr 21st @ 1-2:30pm

Join The Nature Conservancy Kansas Chapter’s Director of Conservation Rob Manes for an update on the Conservancy’s work across the state. Seating is limited, please RSVP by contacting Laura at lroseclawson@tnc.org or (785) 233-4400.

Contact: Laura Rose Clawson 785-233-4400
More Info: Lecture
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy Kansas Chapter

Spring Board Meeting • Sedgwick County
Great Plains Nature Center • 6232 E 29th Street North • Wichita, KS • Map
Sat, Apr 23rd @ 12-3pm

KNPS members are welcome to attend the board meeting. There is a Wichita members region gathering after the board meeting. See events calendar for details.

Contact: KNPS
Sponsor: Kansas Native Plant Society

Missouri Prairie Foundation Spring Plant Sale • Missouri
City Market • 5th & Walnut • Kansas City, MO • Map
Sat, Apr 23rd @ 7am-1pm

A large variety of native wildflowers, grasses and some shrubs/small trees suitable for many growing conditions—sunny, shady, wet, and dry—will be available for sale. Proceeds will benefit MPF and will help protect Missouri prairies. Held the last two Saturdays in April.

Contact: Doris Sherrick 816-779-6708
Sponsor: Missouri Prairie Foundation

Wichita Region Gathering • Sedgwick County
Great Plains Nature Center • 6232 E 29th Street North • Wichita, KS • Map
Sat, Apr 23rd @ 3:45pm

All members of Harper, Kingman, Sedgwick, and Sumner Counties are invited to the first gathering of the Wichita region. Anyone is welcome. The Great Plains Nature Center will host a meeting for all interested persons to discuss possible native plant walk locations for 2011 in the 4 county area. Afterward we will tour the trails of the GPNC through the prairie, woodland and wetlands areas. Dining and socializing to follow. Meet at 3:45 inside the GPNC. For more information contact Krista.

Contact: Krista Dahlinger 316-258-6341
Sponsor: Kansas Native Plant Society

Missouri Prairie Foundation Spring Plant Sale • Missouri
City Market • 5th & Walnut • Kansas City, MO • Map
Sat, Apr 30th @ 7am-1pm

A large variety of native wildflowers, grasses and some shrubs/small trees suitable for many growing conditions—sunny, shady, wet, and dry—will be available for sale. Proceeds will benefit MPF and will help protect Missouri prairies. Held the last two Saturdays in April.

Contact: Doris Sherrick 816-779-6708
Sponsor: Missouri Prairie Foundation

KU School of Pharmacy Medicinal Garden Public Planting • Douglas County
KU School of Pharmacy • 2010 Becker Drive • Lawrence, KS • Map
Tue, May 3rd @ 3-5pm

The public is invited to participate in the planting of a new educational medicinal garden designed by the faculty and staff of the KU Native Medicinal Plant Research Program. The garden will have five themed beds of medicinal plants, about 70 species total. The garden will be on the south side of the building, at the School of Pharmacy patio area; please note that the building is on KU’s west campus. The event will open with a short presentation about the new garden as well as KU’s first medicinal garden, planted by the School of Pharmacy in the 1920s.

Contact: Kirsten Bosnak 785-864-6267
Sponsor: KU Native Medicinal Plant Research Program

Woodland Wildflower Walk along Shunga Creek • Shawnee County
Felker Park • 2540 SW Gage Blvd • Topeka, KS • Map
Wed, May 4th @ 6-dark

A small group of members cleared honeysuckle in March. Now we will revisit the site and look for wildflowers. Help explore the area and see the spring wildflowers that we saved from the onslaught of honeysuckle. Meet at the Felker Park parking lot at the Tennis Courts off of Gage Blvd.

Contact: Jeff Hansen 785 806 6917
Sponsor: Kansas Native Plant Society

Barber County Wildflower Tour • Barber County
Medicine Lodge High School • 400 West Eldorado Avenue • Medicine Lodge, KS • Map
Sat, May 7th @ 8:30am

The Wildflower Tour begins at the High School in Medicine Lodge at 8:30 a.m. with registration. A continental breakfast is served and a short presentation is given to familiarize you with some of the flowers you will see on the tour. Then it is off to a morning wildflower identification site. After a guided tour of approximately 30 species it is off on a drive through the hills to a country park for a delicious barbecue lunch. A short drive through the scenic Gyp Hills guides us to a second identification stop with afternoon refreshments. The group will be back into town around 3:30 p.m. The fee for the Wildflower Tour is $15 per person, which covers the cost of the continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon refreshments, and transportation. Please remember that we require prepaid reservations for the Wildflower Tour. Payment is due before April 30, 2011. Send payment to Barber County Conservation District, 800 W. Third Ave Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.

Contact: Courtney Pilkington (620) 886-3721, ext. 3
More Info: Wildflower Tour
Sponsor: Barber County Conservation District

Kansas Sampler Festival • Leavenworth County
Ray Miller Park • 4201 S 4th St. • Leavenworth, KS • Map
Sat, May 7th to Sun, May 8th

The festival is designed to provide the public a sample of what there is to see, do, hear, taste, buy, and learn in Kansas. Expect tent after tent of exhibitors placed in geographical regions promoting tourism attractions from every corner of the state. Food venders sell Kansas ethnic and specialty foods. Entertainment stages are placed around the grounds. There are little pockets of surprises such as a row of historical performers, someone on a stump asking Kansas questions, artists at work, a petting zoo, blacksmith demonstrations and who knows what else. Adult admission, $5, children 7-14, $3, children under 6, free, week-end pass-$8 adults; $4 children.

Contact: Keyta D. Kelly (913) 417-7575
More Info: Festival
Sponsor: Kansas Sampler Foundation

Blackbob Cave Woodland Hike on Private Land • Johnson County
Overland Park Arboretum • 8909 W. 179th St. • Overland Park, KS • Map
Sat, May 7th @ 10-11:30am

Lead by Shirley Braunlich, this walk is a unique opportunity to visit a historically significant limestone cave and a large natural spring. The site was important to the Blackbob band of the Shawnee Indians during their time in Kansas. We will see some spring ephemerals among the maturing oak-hickory woodlot. We will carpool from the Overland Park Arboretum parking lot. Meet at the northwest corner of the parking lot at 9:30am.

Contact: KNPS (785) 864-3453
Sponsor: Kansas Native Plant Society

Flora Kansas: Great Plains Plant Bazaar • Harvey County
Dyck Arboretum • 177 West Hickory Street • Hesston, KS • Map
Fri, May 13th to Mon, May 16th

This plant sale features hard-to-find native perennials plus classes and tours. Kansas Native Plant Society co-sponsors Dyck Arboretum events. Ask about member’s only sale dates; 10% members discount on all days. Admission charge is by donation.

Contact: Arboretum (620) 327-8127
Sponsor: Dyck Arboretum

Woodland Wildflower Walk • Wyandotte County
F.L. Schlagle Library • 4051 West Drive • Kansas City, KS • Map
Sat, May 14th @ 2-4pm

Bring your hiking shoes and hit the trail as we take a walk in the woods of Wyandotte County Lake Park in search of spring wildflowers. Meet at Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library to begin our search for Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty and other seasonal wonders. Please call 913.299.2384 to reserve a spot for this program.

Contact: Craig Hensley (913) 299-2384
Sponsor: Kansas City Kansas Public LIbrary

Plant Sale • Douglas County
Prairie Park Nature Center • Lawrence, KS • Map
Sun, May 15th @ 1-4pm

A huge selection of native wildflowers, shrubs and plants. A fundraiser for Prairie Park Partners. Promoting earthfriendly, sustainably and locally grown landscaping plants. Grown by Vinland Valley Nursery.

Contact: Marty Birrell (785) 832-7980
Sponsor: Prairie Park Nature Center

Rock Springs Wildflower Walk • Geary County
Rock Springs • 1168 K-157 Highway • Junction City, KS • Map
Sat, May 21st @ 9am-2pm

Come and see the colorful spring wildflowers at Rock Springs 4-H Center! Rock Springs is located just south and west of Junction City, KS and consists of over 735 acres of land in the beautiful Flint Hills. One of the most unique features of Rock Springs is the natural spring that supplies 1,000 gallons of water a minute!

The Wildflower Walk will include morning snacks, a hot lunch at the dining hall, and an instructor led wildflower identification walk, for a cost per participant of $15. The Wildflower Walk brochure (found under ‘More Info’ below) has more information about the day’s events and also includes the registration form.

Contact: Chelsea Shrack 785-257-3551
More Info: Wildflower Walk Brochure (PDF)
Sponsor: Rock Springs 4-H Center

Tree ID Workshop • Wyandotte County
F.L. Schlagle Library • 4051 West Drive • Kansas City, KS • Map
Sat, May 21st @ 2-4:30 p.m.

Join Lead Education Specialist Craig Hensley at Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library for a look at the identification of trees, shrubs and vines of Wyandotte County Lake Park. Meet at the library and plan on spending the majority of the program on the trail as we compare and contrast the various woody plants of the area. Please call 913.299.2384 to reserve a spot for this program.

Contact: Craig Hensley (913) 299-2384
Sponsor: Kansas City Kansas Public LIbrary

Prairie Management at Snyder Prairie • Jackson County
158th Rd & U Rd • Mayetta, KS • Map
Sat, May 21st

The Grassland Heritage Foundation Groundhogs meet on the third Saturday of every month except December. Activities include brush cutting, controlled burning, seed collecting, and spraying noxious weeds. No special skills or tools needed. Contact Frank to help.

Contact: Frank Norman (785) 691-9748
Sponsor: Grassland Heritage Foundation

Mushrooms with Maxine Stone • Missouri
Burr Oak Woods • 1401 NW Park Road • Blue Springs, MO • Map
Sat, May 21st @ 8am-1pm

Maxine Stone wrote the book for MDC, Missouri Department of Conservation on mushrooms.

Contact: Susan Appel 913-663-1709
More Info: Missouri Master Naturalists Programs
Sponsor: MDC

Wildflower Walk: Search for Mead’s Milkweed • Franklin County
K-68 & Main St • Pomona, KS • Map
Sun, May 22nd @ 1pm-3pm

Join KNPS in exploring this private 12 acre prairie hay meadow near Pomona, KS. We will help the owner, a KNPS member, see if she has Mead’s Milkweed on her property. We will also see what woodland wildflowers are growing in the adjoining woods. Meet at the corner of K-68 & Main Street in Pomona, KS at 1pm to caravan to the property.

Contact: Jeff Hansen 785-806-6917
Sponsor: KNPS

Grant County Wildflower Tour • Grant County
Fuel Barn • 1845 West Oklahoma Avenue • Ulysses, KS • Map
Sat, May 28th @ 9am-noon

Join us to look for and examine the wildflowers found in the Grant County area. Meet inside the Fuel Barn convenience store 1-mile west of Ulysses, on Hwy 160 by 9am. We’ll to pool cars and go to the areas together. Some transportation will be provided. No fee or reservation needed. Alternate Contact: Sam Guy (620) 356-3548.

Contact: Marion McGlohon 620-356-2205
Sponsor: Kansas Native Plant Society

Sand Hills State Park Outing • Reno County
Sand Hills State Park • 4207 E. 56th • Hutchinson, KS • Map
Sat, Jun 4th @ 7am

Birders on this early summer trip should expect some of the local specialties and an abundance of wildflowers and butterflies. Depart at 7am from the King’s-X Restaurant at 21st and Amidon in Wichita. Contact Cheryl to attend.

Contact: Cheryl Miller (316) 683-5499
Sponsor: Wichita Audubon Society

Spring Wildflower Tour at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge • McPherson County
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge • Canton, KS • Map
Sat, Jun 4th @ 10am

Board the tram for a tour of the prairie with wildflowers and buffalo. There is also a self guided walking tour with flowers flagged. The Refuge is located 6 miles north of Canton, KS.

Contact: (620)-628-4455
Sponsor: Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

Program: Butterflies & Native Plants • Johnson County
Overland Park Arboretum • 8909 W. 179th. St. • Overland Park, KS • Map
Sat, Jun 4th @ 10am-noon

The Kansas City Region of the Kansas Native Plant Society will have a program on Butterflies and the native plants they need for food and shelter. Lenora Larson a member of the KNPS and a nationally recognized expert on butterflies will give the program. A followup to this program will be a field trip on July 9, 2011 in Miami County, Kansas at the Long Lips Farm of Lenora Larson showing her amazing work on the plants that butterflies need to survive. Members and visitors are welcome.

Contact: Ken O’Dell 913 837-5112
Sponsor: Kansas Native Plant Society

Earth Partnership for Schools Summer Institute • Harvey County
Dyck Arboretum • 177 West Hickory Street • Hesston, KS • Map
Mon, Jun 6th to Fri, Jun 10th

This 40-hour institute for school teachers and staff will train you in the award-winning Earth Partnership for Schools (EPS) Program that you can share with your students and colleagues for years to come. Learn to engage your students in the process of prairie gardening on school grounds, earn three hours of graduate credit, take home an extensive curriculum, eat good food for a week, and have a fun and meaningful experience at the Dyck Arboretum!

Contact: Brad Guhr (620) 327-8127
More Info: Event Info
Sponsor: Dyck Arboretum

Wildflower Walk at Konza Prairie • Riley County
Konza Prairie • Manhattan, KS • Map
Sat, Jun 11th @ 6:30-11:30am

Meet at the Topeka Zoo parking lot (635 Southwest Gage Blvd) to carpool to Konza. This is a wildflower and birding field trip.

Contact: Debra McKee 785-220-6515
Sponsor: Topeka Audubon Society

Grassland Heritage Festival at Cimarron Grasslands • Morton County
Morton County Historical Society Museum • 370 E Highway 56 • Elkhart, KS • Map
Sat, Jun 11th @ 9:30am

Join us for a wildflower walk at the Cimarron Grasslands. Brunch & Slideshow at the museum, followed by Wildflower and Foliage tour led by Steve Watts and Nancy Brewer. Vehicles will car pool from the Museum following brunch. Call the MCHS Museum (620) 697-2833 for tour reservations $5.00. See more info in the Grassland Heritage Festival link.

Contact: MCHS Museum (620) 697-2833
More Info: Grassland Heritage Festival
Sponsor: Morton County Historical Society Museum

Cowley County Wildflower Tour • Cowley County
Conservation District • 2118 E 9th St, Ste B • Winfield, KS • Map
Sat, Jun 11th @ 8:30am-2:30pm

Come join us as we explore the pastures on the Snyder Ranch in eastern Cowley County. Native pastures provide a unique opportunity to enjoy native plants in their best possible environment. We will provide lunch and transportation to the ranch for a fee of $5 per person. Please come join us for a fantastic tour led by Conservation District, NRCS, KNPS, Farm Bureau and Southwestern College staff.

Contact: Rachel Workman 620-221-1850 ext 3
Sponsor: Cowley County Conservation District

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