November, 2024

In this newsletter

AOK celebrates 25 years of support for conservation
Cedar removal continues at Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Be a "Voice for Wild Kansas"
Celebration of Cranes attendees connected with cranes and each other
Registration for the Kansas Lek Treks Prairie-Chicken Festival will open in December
Jodie Provost from the North American Grouse Partnership will be the banquet speaker
Join a Christmas Bird Count
Philanthropy Corner: Thank you!
Chapter Spotlight: Burroughs and Sperry-Galligar chapters are promoting Prothonotary Warbler research and conservation
AOK Nature Spot Recommendations: Hiking Trails now open in Cassoday

AOK celebrates 25 years

of conservation support

“One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen. An ecologist must either harden his shell and make believe that the consequences of science are none of his business, or he must be the doctor who sees the marks of death in a community that believes itself well and does not want to be told otherwise.”

― Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

This quote resonates with me. Four years ago, I was an academic ecologist studying the behavior of prairie-chickens. As I was documenting the intricacies of their ritualized displays, I was also watching leks shrink and disappear. Now, having been the Executive Director of Audubon of Kansas (AOK) for four years, I am living up to my 'Doctor' honorific as Aldo describes, diagnosing the decline in our ecological communities, and delivering the bad news to lawmakers and communities who only see the symptoms and not the root cause of the disease.

Although this work is still relatively new for me, AOK has been sounding the alarm about a myriad of ecological threats for the past 25 years. Our voice for conservation is critically needed now—our rivers and wetlands are running dry, charismatic prairie species are disappearing, invasive species are turning our diverse ecosystems into monocultures, and the political climate makes it challenging to build consensus around conservation priorities.

I’m often asked how I keep from getting discouraged. It is because at AOK, I am surrounded by supporters, board members, and staff who enthusiastically defend AOK’s mission and work.

Like me, I'm sure you see the 'world of wounds' in our environment. In this season of giving, please consider lending your support to AOK so we can heal our environment through advocacy, conservation, and education.

Text by AOK Executive Director Jackie Augustine, PhD Biology. Photo: Lesser Prairie-Chickens by A Bender Photography.

Three Ways to Give

Cedar removal continues at Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

In last month's newsletter, I talked about how I loathe cedars. One of the several reasons I loathe cedars is because they can increase erosion of prairie streams.

AOK is working with conservation partners, Pheasants Forever and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to remove cedars from a portion of stream that runs through Hutton Niobara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. We call the project "Returning Willows to Willow Creek." We will not be planting willows, but allowing those present to thrive in the absence of cedars. The creek harbors state endangered fish that are only found in cold, spring-fed streams. This area is on the downstream side where the state is trying to use a fish ladder to connect the upper and lower portions of the stream. Without the ladder, a culvert running under a road blocks the movement of fish.

A year ago, this project started. Cutting had to stop because of winter and was not started in the summer to protect nesting birds. Now, the project is nearing completion. We can't wait to share before/after photos with you!

Kathy Malone, an AOK newsletter reader, informed me that cedars are the host plant for Juniper Hairstreaks, a type of butterfly, but agreed that there were too many cedars on our prairie landscapes.

Text by Jackie Augustine. Photo above of cedar removal at Hutton Sanctuary by Randy Carman. Photo to the left by Kathy Malone.

Join "Voice for Wild Kansas"

One of the ways to make a lasting change for conservation is to be involved in the formation of laws and policies that govern conservation. In 2025, AOK is starting a new "Voice for Wild Kansas" Advocacy group.

The main goal is to share information about legislation and to empower those that want to do more to protect wildlife. The focus will be on state issues but federal bills may be discussed periodically. This group will receive emails weekly during the legislative session (mid-January through mid-May) regarding bills that affect wildlife. I also envision a weekly virtual meeting where the group will discuss bills that are of interest to the members present. Each individual or group can decide whether they want to support, oppose, or remain silent for each issue. I do not anticipate joint letters at this time, but that may be considered in the future.

As bills arise daily, and the opportunity to comment is short, this group will help make sure bad legislation doesn't slip through the cracks unchallenged.

Please join if any of the following apply to you:

you want to learn more about advocacy and being a "Voice for Wild Kansas"
you are a member of a group that is concerned about environmental issues
you want to connect with other individuals and organizations that care about wildlife
you want to do more for wildlife

Photo: AOK Board Members and Executive Director participating in a legislative day at the Kansas Capitol.

Join AOK's "Voice for Wild Kansas" Advocacy Network

Celebration of Cranes attendees connected with cranes and each other

Around 80 people participated in the Celebration of Cranes festival in early November—that's a new record! Everyone was able to see thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Greater White-fronted Geese at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. We were also entertained by hundreds of American Avocets. These large black-and-white shorebirds put on quite a show as they actively foraged close to shore.

Although it rained much of the weekend, everyone was enthusiastic to be outside appreciating nature at this wetland of international importance. We all know how important water is to Quivira, so we were all happy to see it rain. Because of the rain, we were able to see a species that I had never seen before—a Tiger Salamander! This boldly colored salamander is the official state amphibian of Kansas. The proclamation (73-2301) announcing this designation states: "Official amphibian of Kansas. The barred tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium, Baird, 1850) being a strikingly marked species, with robust body, and living in a range from the humid tallgrass prairie of eastern Kansas to the arid high plains at the western border, is hereby designated as the official amphibian of the state of Kansas."

The birds were great, but the best thing about the weekend was the people. Dr. Jim Carpenter gave an entertaining talk about his experiences as the veterinarian for the reintroduction efforts of Whooping Cranes. I talked about Audubon of Kansas's role in protecting Quivira and Cheyenne Bottoms. Those who listened to the talks had no idea how dire the future was for Cheyenne Bottoms, Quivira, and Whooping Cranes, and the extreme efforts undertaken to bring them to where we are today. The best quote of the weekend did not come from Dr. Carpenter or myself—it came from a participant. After seeing the cranes and getting back into the van, the participant declared, "I'm a birder!" She had come with a friend not knowing what they might encounter, but left with a passion for connecting with nature through birds. There could not be a better testimony for why AOK holds events to connect people with nature.

Essay and photos by Jackie Augustine. Photo above: Participants watching the cranes come in to roost in the evening. Photos below: Left: Dr. Carpenter talks about rescuing Whooping Cranes from extinction. Right: A Tiger Salamander spotted at Quivira.

Registration for the

Kansas Lek Treks

Prairie-Chicken Festival

will open in December

Audubon of Kansas will hold its fourth annual Kansas Lek Treks Prairie-Chicken Festival from April 10-13, 2025 in Hays, KS. Hays offers opportunities to see both Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chickens within an hour’s drive. An additional post-festival trip will offer the opportunity to view Sharp-tailed Grouse at AOK’s Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Nebraska. There are also social events and field trips focusing on wetlands, geology, or prairie grouse habitat management.

This year's banquet speaker is Jodie Provost, North American Grouse Partnership's Communications Director. During her talk, entitled, "A Prairie Gal’s Tale of Grasslands and Grouse," she will share her story of farm kid becoming a prairie grouse conservationist. Learn what inspires her to action, how the North American Grouse Partnership is working to save grasslands and their charismatic grouse ambassadors, and how you can act too.

Note: We will have options for people with mobility challenges to participate. There is an opportunity on the form letting us know how we can make your experience as enjoyable as possible.

If you are considering attending, I encourage you to sign up for notifications. You will be alerted when the website has new information and when registration opens. The festival attracts around 130 people from all over the United States, and registration fills quickly. Registration will open some time between Dec 15-20.

Photo of Jodie Provost provided by Jodie.

Visit the Kansas Lek Treks website

AOK Events: Join a Christmas Bird Count!

There are no AOK events in December as this is our time to recount what we accomplished this year, and start planning for the year to come. However, it is a busy time of year for Audubon chapters and independent birdwatchers throughout the state: It's Christmas Bird Count season!

Every corner of the state has a count within a reasonable drive. This is an annual tradition where bird watchers count the number of species AND individual birds they see within a 15 mile diameter circle. By counting birds in the same area with the same methods every year, volunteers are contributing to science. This standardized protocol allows abundance trends to be documented over time, and to be compared across different areas of the country. One of the most important recent studies utilizing this data discovered that there are 3 billion fewer birds in North America since 1970.

Besides feeling good about contributing to community science, volunteers also enjoy connecting with like-minded individuals. No experience is necessary! Beginners are paired with experienced counters, and can contribute by pointing out birds that they see for the experts to identify. Be sure to bring binoculars and snacks!

Visit Kansas Ornithological Society's website for a complete listing of CBC's in Kansas

Learn more about Christmas Bird Counts

Philanthopy Corner: Thank you!

As we enter the Holiday gauntlet, I want to say a few sincere words of thanks to you, the AOK community. It’s only been two short months since you’ve very generously welcomed me into your world, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve been fortunate to meet quite a few of you and hope to meet many more soon. Hearing your stories, your motivations, and your desires (and meeting your pets) has solidified my belief in the power of this community.

Thank you for standing with us. Here’s to the next 25 years of impact—and beyond!

—Kathryn

Chapter Spotlight:

Burroughs and Sperry-Galligar Audubon chapters are promoting Prothonotary Warbler research and conservation

Prothonotary Warblers are large warblers that breed in Kansas in summer and migrate to central and northern South America to spend the winter. Of the 56 warbler species in North America, Prothonotary and Lucy's Warblers are the only ones that nest in tree cavities and nest boxes. Their nickname "Swamp Candles" eludes to their bright yellow plumage that seems to glow in wet woods where they breed. You can often find them along the edge of large rivers or lakes.

Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City and Sperry-Galligar Audubon Society of Pittsburg, KS are both contributing to Prothonotary Warbler research and conservation. Burroughs members are giving presentations to libraries and other public groups talking about the biology and conservation of these magnificent birds. Sperry-Galligar members found a donor willing to provide free wood for the the construction of nesting boxes. Pittsburg State students and Sperry-Galligar members plan on making 200-300 boxes for these birds! Both chapters are supporting Prothonotary Warbler research. Local researchers are putting small transmitters on the birds to document their migration routes and patterns.

Visit Burroughs' website

AOK Nature Spot Recommendations:

Hiking Trails now open in Cassoday

16999 NE 150th Street

Cassoday, KS

38.042740, -96.522860

The Nature Conservancy's Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is now open to the public for the first time in 50 years! Enjoy a leisurely 1/2 mile stroll to the South Fork Cottonwood River or hike the 2.5 and 4-mile trails. Trails are open during the daylight hours and are for pedestrian traffic only (except for wheelchairs).

This tallgrass prairie preserve is 2,188 acres set among low rolling hills of limestone strata that cover layers of sandstone, flint and chert. The headwaters of the South Fork Cottonwood River run through the preserve that was purchased in 1972 and 1973. Public access trails were opened in 2023.

This preserve contains healthy populations of big bluestem, little bluestem, Indian grass, switch grass and other plants typical of the tallgrass prairie.

Here, The Nature Conservancy also protects grassland birds like Greater Prairie-Chicken and Henslow’s Sparrow which require a large and diverse area of healthy prairie for habitat. Coyotes, deer and bobcats also roam this prairie.

Text and photo by The Nature Conservancy.

Visit the Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie Preserve website