Welcome back to "Cattle Tales from the Flint Hills,"

our monthly E-Newsletter with tales (and tails) that shape the Flint Hills.

When you travel the Flint Hills in April, there is a good chance you will see prairie fires. “Experiencing the Flint Hills during the months of prescribed burning should be on everyone’s bucket list. Prescribed burning, also known as a controlled burn, is intentional in the Flint Hills. This method of preservation is used to restore prairie lands to rejuvenate growth and ensure long-term survival… the experience can be hypnotic. There’s an intense rainbow of flaming colors, you hear sounds of fire crackling through the dead brush and you can see the concerted teamwork of burn attendees as they carefully coordinate the delicate matter of setting hundreds of acres of fire. It’s quite breathtaking.” 

From Prescribed Burning in the Flint Hills of Kansas, Kansas Living Magazine

For more on prescribed burns, see our kiosks at Pioneer Bluffs. Our informational kiosks can be accessed when you visit Pioneer Bluffs in person or online. Check them out here!

Learn more in this AWESOME slide show about Prescribed Prairie Burns, including the role of managed burns and the by-product of fire: SMOKE.

You can see the intense, powerful beauty of prairie fires here in this gallery of photos by our friend and talented photographer Dave Leiker.

Special note: two fine art photos by Dave Leiker are in the fundraising auction during our special event on April 15,  Radius at the Ranch.

UPCOMING EVENTS

For complete information on these events, Click Here

Note: the date of our Fall Roundup was incorrectly listed in our print newsletter. The correct date is Saturday, October 14. Our annual Fall Roundup is held the second Saturday of October.

Radius at the Ranch | 5PM • Saturday, April 15

A fine dining experience in our historic barn with a FUNdraising auction to follow.

Radius at the Ranch reservations are limited, and required by April 7

Land Band Barn Dance | 6PM • Saturday, May 6

Old-time Barn Dance in the loft of our 1915 barn.

Prairie Talk: the Bill House Story | 1:30PM • Saturday, July 1

Carol House, the wife of the late Bill House, tells how Bill impacted the entire cattle industry.

Prairie Talk: the Methvin Family Story | 2:30PM • Saturday, July 1

A Southern ranching family’s summer adventure turned into 46 years of living in and loving the Flint Hills of Kansas.

National Day of the Cowboy | 11AM • Saturday, July 22

Centennial celebration of the Railroad coming to Matfield Green with a model train display, music, ice cream social, & more!

Prairie Talk: the Patton/Johnson Story | 1:30PM • Saturday, August 19

This talk will focus on how farming & ranching were equally vital to the economic survival of pioneer Flint Hills families.

The Music of Patsy Cline | 2PM • Saturday, September 23

Kim Coslett and her 4-piece band perform all of Patsy’s hits while including biographical info & history of Patsy Cline.

Pioneer Bluffs Fall Round-Up | 1PM • Saturday, October 14

A day filled with activities, a music history prairie talk, and a performance by a family-oriented show band, 3 Trails West.

Prairie Talk: Where the Buffalo Roam | TBA • Saturday, November 11

Where do the buffalo roam? Keep checking our website for more information on this upcoming Prairie Talk.

EVERY DAY Our grounds are free and open during daylight hours. The Nature Trail meanders through a wooded area along Crocker Creek, offering a natural space for hiking, exploring, bird-watching, photography, and reflection. It builds on our self-guided tour, available on QR codes placed around the property, which provide information on the area’s cultural heritage and history. The tour is online at: tour.pioneerbluffs.org

PIONEER BLUFFS

Preserving Flint Hills Ranch Heritage

Contact us at:

(620) 753-3484 | info@pioneerbluffs.org | pioneerbluffs.org