What You'll Find in this Newsletter | |
Advocacy: Thank you for doing your part!
Conservation: Expanded Trail at the Achterberg Wildlife-Friendly Demonstration Farm
Education: What good is pokeweed?
Upcoming Events
Philanthropy Corner: Help us bring Celebration of Cranes to life!
Give Us Your Feedback
Kansas Audubon Chapters Feature
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Thank you for doing your part!
Advocacy takes all of us doing our part. The past couple of months have been a whirlwind of threats to wildlife and the habitats they need to thrive. It can be depressing and stressful – we want to be everywhere all at once to lend our support to our most treasured natural resources. Whatever we do, it never seems to be enough.
At Audubon of Kansas, when we start to lose hope, all we have to do is look around and see all those who support our efforts. Over 20% of our newsletter readers responded to our request in the April newsletter to protect the Endangered Species Act. When we travel around the state, staff of state agencies and other environmental nonprofits thank AOK for being vocal and steadfast advocates for wildlife in the state.
We could not do our work alone. We have you and your support. That means the world to us.
Thank you!
Photo by Bob Gress. Eastern Black Rail, species listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
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Expanded Trail at the Achterberg Wildlife-Friendly Demonstration Farm
We’re excited to share an expansion of the trail system at the Connie Achterberg Wildlife-Friendly Demonstration Farm!
This new section of trail, a loop totaling roughly 400 feet, highlights remnants of the historic Achterberg Homestead located on the property.
As with all responsible trail construction, we strive to maintain the health of the ecosystem while improving access, carefully balancing public use and historic preservation with habitat conservation. For the construction of this new trail, sections of the forest understory surrounding the homestead were cleared of common hackberry, and burned on patches of smooth brome - a non-native grass particularly vulnerable to fire in late spring. Reduced competition and increased sunlight across the newly exposed forest floor will encourage growth from the previously suppressed native seed bank below. Additionally, a thinner understory around the homestead provides better viewing opportunities, and prevents further degradation to the foundation from damaging root growth. This effort reflects our ongoing commitment to the stewardship of the land in ways that support both wildlife and people.
Whether you're bird watching, identifying wildflowers and grasses, or simply enjoying a quiet walk, this new addition makes it even easier to connect with nature and local history.
Trails at the Achterberg Farm are open to the public daily from dawn to dusk — we invite you to come out, stretch your legs, and experience the beauty of the Kansas landscape in every season.
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What good is pokeweed?
Story and Photo by Dr. Jackie Augustine
American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a native plant that pokes up wherever soil is disturbed. I first became acquainted with the plant in Ohio where it is bountiful in roadside ditches. In Kansas, it is abundant in the eastern half of the state, reaching its westernmost extent of its native range in western Kansas. It is absent from the Rockies, but reappears on the western coast in California, Oregon, and Washington where it is considered invasive.
I was first drawn to the plant due to its deep reddish-purple berries and stems. Its genus, Phytolacca, means ‘red dye plant’ and was used by both indigenous people and settlers to dye clothing and other items. Many Civil War letters were written with pokeberry ink. It is also a towering herbaceous plant that easily reaches 10 feet tall. It dies back in winter and regrows from a branching tap root.
Many kill pokeweed because it is poisonous and quickly spreads. I noticed one plant in my flowerbed in July 2022 (middle photo below). I let it grow, and now it is a major focal point (right photo below)! Somehow, mockingbirds, cardinals, thrashers, waxwings and others LOVE eating the berries and do not get sick afterwards.
Those that eat pokeweed experience pain, nausea, gastrointestinal symptoms, and even death. Livestock can also get sick if they consume pokeweed, but they generally avoid it. Swine seem to have the biggest problem with pokeweed because they eat the roots which contain the greatest concentration of the poison.
Despite its poisonous attributes, pokeweed has been eaten for centuries. In the South, the dish is known as ‘poke salad’ and Elvis even sang about ‘Polk Salad Annie’. If you are an adventurous forager, learn to cook it properly from someone more knowledgeable than myself, but it involves boiling it at least twice, changing the water for the second boiling.
The best part about pokeweed? The birds that eat it. Somehow, mockingbirds, cardinals, thrashers, waxwings and others LOVE eating the berries. In my suburban house in Topeka, I get bluebirds who don’t seem to leave the plant for a week or more when the berries are ripe. I remember that happy week as I pull up the many young pokeweed that sprout up the following year from the birds’ droppings.
| | P.S. Pokeweed is also the host plant of the stunning Giant Leopard Moth, a white moth with black spots and a nearly 4-inch wingspan. I can’t wait to see one in my yard! | |
July 5: Bug Watching
Achterberg Wildlife-Friendly Demonstration Farm
950 N 170th Rd, Lincoln, KS (38.994143, -98.188743)
4:30pm & 8:30pm
Did you know that 80% of the animals on Earth are insects? Find out more about this overlooked group from insect experts Eric and Heidi Eaton. Eric is an entomologist and author of Bug Watching (2025), Insectpedia (2022), Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect (2021), lead author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America (2007), and co-author of the second edition of Insects Did It First (2018) with Gregory S. Paulson. Together, Eric and Heidi have recorded 24,000 observations of 6000 species on iNaturalist.com.
During the later session, Eric and Heidi will put up black lights to attract seldom-seen insects of the night.
Visitors are welcome to come and go during both events. Bring water, snacks, and be prepared to spend time outside (possible exposure to direct sun, biting insects and poison ivy).
July 12: Prairie Walk with Chuck Otte
Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie Park
South Entrance, 29377 Mitchell Prairie Ln, Wamego, KS 66547
(39.143773, -96.296318)
6:30pm
Born in York County, Nebraska, Chuck has two degrees in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska and was the Geary County Extension Agent for agricultural and natural resources from 1982 to 2022. Chuck has also co-authored two books on Kansas birds!
As a birdwatcher since an early age, he has a passion for helping others learn more about not only the birds around them, but the plants and insects as well. With Chuck's wealth of information about plants, insects, and birds, this will be an entertaining walk for all ages. Be prepared to walk up to 1 mile with a 200 foot elevation gain over uneven terrain.
Bring bug spray, sunscreen, water, and snacks so you can be comfortable. Bring binoculars if you have them, but additional sets will also be available.
July 23: Beginning Bird Watching
Andover Library, Art Gallery Room
1511 E Central Ave, Andover, KS 67002
6:00pm
Have you ever tried to identify a bird, but forgot what the bird looked like as soon as
you googled it? Do you get overwhelmed when you page through your field guide?
Do you just want to refresh your basic birding skills? Jackie Augustine, Executive
Director for Audubon of Kansas, has been bird-watching for 25 years. She will talk
about how to identify birds by sight, behavior, and location, demonstrate proper use
of binoculars, and talk about how apps and field guides can help beginning bird
watchers.
| | FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY | |
Aug 11-15: Hutton Work Fun Week
Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Bassett, NE
Our 'work' weeks are not just work, but a mix of work, community, and sharing of knowledge. Not only do volunteers get access to a 5,000 acre wildlife sanctuary not open to the public, volunteers get unique experiences. This year, our Hutton Work Week is featuring American Burying Beetle surveys, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Participants will have the opportunity to accompany carrion beetle experts as they check traps for the species. If an American Burying Beetle is found, a suite of measurements are taken and a number is affixed to its back that will allow it to be identified if recaptured. When not conducting surveys, participants help with habitat improvements and making the place more comfortable for visitors. Most importantly, participants get to spend time with others that love nature!
Volunteers generally arrive Monday afternoon. There is an orientation and nice dinner. Tuesday through Thursday, days will consist of a mix of beetle surveys, work, and exploration. We have a variety of work so that all skill levels can participate. Work generally involves cutting cedars for habitat improvement, doing landscape work or deep cleaning of guest houses to make them feel more welcoming, sorting and documenting Hutton artifacts, and other odd jobs. We may also visit nearby wild places to get ideas for habitat management, visit a museum for inspiration in improving our Hutton displays, go for a hike, look for wildlife, or just relax on the porch. Free lodging will be provided to volunteers in our guest house complete with a full kitchen, five bedrooms, shared bathrooms, and plenty of space to relax. AOK will provide dinners, but volunteers should bring their own food for breakfast and lunch. Volunteers may also want to bring work gloves, hiking shoes, binoculars, insect repellent, sunscreen, and any other equipment needed for a safe and comfortable time outside. Opportunities to carpool may be available. Directions provided when RSVP received. Volunteers can help for longer or shorter periods of time if they cannot stay the entire week.
RSVP is required to participate in this event as space is limited.
Call, text, or email Jackie at jackie@audubonofkansas.org or 785-537-4385.
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Help us bring Celebration of Cranes to life!
We are thrilled to bring Celebration of Cranes back this fall—November 7–8, 2025—and we’d love for you to be part of it!
This annual event celebrates one of Kansas’ most incredible natural sights: the fall migration of thousands of Sandhill Cranes (and sometimes even the endangered Whooping Crane) through Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a weekend full of guided crane tours, expert talks, and connecting with the wildlife that calls Kansas home.
Individual sponsorships start at just $250 and include perks like a guided crane tour ticket and sponsor recognition. Most importantly, you’ll be helping us share the magic with others.
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Give Us Your Feedback
We rely on your input to guide how we connect with our community and share our work. Your voice helps us grow and improve. We're looking for feedback about our membership program, website, annual Prairie Wings magazine, and more.
Your feedback will help us strengthen our programs and communications. This survey is anonymous and will take about 5–10 minutes to complete.
Submit your feedback by July 11 to be entered into a drawing to win this AOK basket of goodies.*
Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback with our team!
| | *You must provide your email address to be entered into the drawing. | |
Kansas Chapters
Did you know there are nine (9) Audubon chapters in Kansas? Find the one closest to you and get involved!
Learn more about each chapter:
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