Newsletter

November 2025

What You'll Find in this Newsletter

Advocacy: A Changing Landscape at Baker Wetlands

Conservation: Update on North America’s Rarest Mammal

Education: 'Tis the Season for Christmas Bird Counts

Event Recap: Record Attendance at the 7th Annual Celebration of Cranes

Philanthropy Corner: Make Your Year-End Gift Today

Chapter Spotlight: Sperry-Galligar Audubon Society

Photos of Baker Wetlands by Dr. Jackie Augustine, AOK Executive Director

A Changing Landscape at Baker Wetlands

Story by Debbie Baker, Lawrence Bird Alliance, President

A tract of 177 acres of farmland along the Wakarusa River and bordering the west side of the Baker Wetlands was annexed into the city and sold to Landplan, a developer from Wichita who is asking the city and county to rezone the area from open space to allow residential and business properties along with entertainment and sports complexes (calling it the New Boston Crossing). The land contains 54 acres of floodplain and 2 acres of wetlands. 

Rezoning requires amending Plan 2040 which designates this area as open space. Amendments would rezone the area to allow the proposed development depicted in the map below. Three entities need to approve the amendment for it to pass: the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, the Lawrence City Commission, and the Douglas County Commission.

Landplan’s proposed development overlaid on a Google Earth image. Highway 59 forms the west boundary and E 1350 Rd and Baker Wetlands are the east boundary. 

The Lawrence Bird Alliance (LBA), the Baker Wetlands, and several other conservation and community groups oppose development on this property because of its proximity to the Baker Wetlands and location in a floodplain. Lights and noise pollution will disrupt the wildlife that inhabit the wetlands. Building on and paving the floodplain and surrounding land will create runoff that will affect hydrology of the Wakarusa River. There are other non-floodplain areas in and around Lawrence that could support the sort of development proposed. If rezoning is allowed for one developer, what will stop rezoning as farmers sell their land? 

On Oct. 22 2025 the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission voted to approve the amendment. Over 40 people showed up to oppose this amendment. LBA, Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City, and Topeka Audubon Society submitted letters opposing this development. A representative from LBA spoke at the meeting.

Now, both the city and county commissions must approve the amendment.

On Dec. 9 2025 the Lawrence City Commission will vote on this amendment. This is the next chance to speak out against development. LBA will submit another letter, bundled with previous letters. If the city approves the rezoning, then the amendment moves to the county commission for approval. If the city denies, then the area remains as open space.

If you visit the Baker Wetlands, please submit a letter for the city meeting to let them know that you come to Lawrence for the wetlands. Express why it is important to you that a buffer of open space (non-developed land) remain around the wetlands. You can send letters to Debbie Baker at naturesphoto@hotmail.com by Dec. 8 to be included with the LBA materials, or send them directly to the City Commission at ccagendas@lawrenceks.org no later than 12:00 PM on Dec. 9. 

The history of the Haskell Boarding school is an additional concern. The native children forcibly removed from their families were forced to work farmland that had been converted from wetlands along the river. Many tried to escape back to their families through the wetlands/farmland and over the Wakarusa River, and many are believed to have died along the way. No indigenous tribes or people were consulted during Landplan’s archeological assessment of the land.

NOTE: These comments do not necessarily represent the position of AOK.

Update on North America’s Rarest Mammal,

the Black-footed Ferret

Last month, AOK staff helped trap Black-footed Ferrets in western Kansas. Only 200 ferrets exist in the wild throughout the United States, so our monitoring efforts are vital for understanding the health of the wild population in Kansas. Our surveys found that ferrets are not only surviving in Kansas, but also reproducing. 

As a result of this information, the US Fish and Wildlife Service released 26 Black-footed Ferrets at the site in November. The addition of more individuals is necessary because small populations may suffer from inbreeding depression, a process where low genetic diversity affects the health of the population, usually through poor reproductive success or lowered ability to fight disease. Although the October surveys revealed that reproduction is occurring in Kansas, it is important that this population be bolstered by adding new individuals so that offspring do not mate with relatives and we have continued reproduction in the future. 

One of the individuals released was called Urchin. Before he was released, he was mated with Antonia and they produced two healthy ‘kits,’ as ferret offspring are called. This may seem unremarkable: it makes sense that ferrets are bred before release to ensure that at least some of their genetics remain in the captive population. What is remarkable is that Antonia is a clone, and this marks the first time a cloned U.S. endangered species has produced offspring.

Photo of Urchin by Amanda Ginger Somers 

A clone is produced by taking the DNA out of an unfertilized egg cell, inserting the DNA from another individual, and providing the right conditions for it to grow. Antonia’s DNA came from an individual named Willa who died in the 1980s before breeding. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, Willa had three times more genetic diversity than ferrets alive today. If Antonia, who has the same DNA as Willa, or her kits or their offspring are ever released into the wild, it would be a substantial boost in genetic diversity and would provide an additional source of genetic variation needed to succeed in the face of climate change and emerging infectious disease. 

Although clones provide a means for increasing diversity in existing populations, scientists are close to creating a modern ‘Jurassic Park’ by resurrecting extinct species. While technological advances are inching us ever closer to making this reality, it is hard to imagine how we could get enough genetic diversity from extinct species to resurrect genetically diverse populations necessary to thrive in the wild. There is also the nature vs nurture argument – how much behavior is in our DNA and how much must be learned? Would cloned Passenger Pigeons know where to migrate to find food and protect itself from predators? Cloning should not be seen as an excuse for allowing the destruction of our declining species, but it can be one piece of the puzzle for bringing them back. 

Information from the Facebook page, Black-footed Ferret Recovery in Kansas, which is managed by known professionals involved in ferret monitoring and recovery in Kansas.

'Tis the Season for Christmas Bird Counts

Each year between December 14 and January 5, the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count invites people to step outside, enjoy the winter landscape, and help collect invaluable data for bird conservation. Now in its 125th year, this tradition blends the spirit of the season with the power of community science.

Volunteers of all skill levels from families, seasoned birders, and first-time participants, work together to identify and count birds within established 15-mile circles. Whether you join a group in the field or contribute from your backyard feeder, your observations help track long-term trends and guide conservation decisions for years to come.

This holiday season, consider giving back to wildlife by joining a count near you. It’s a festive way to connect with nature, support science, and enjoy the quiet magic of winter birds.

Audubon members building

prothonotary warbler bird boxes