Hello, friend of the KU Field Station!

February brought its fair share of winter weather, and with it, many of our programs had to be canceled or rescheduled due to the cold, snow, or road conditions. Scheduling winter programs at the field station is always a bit of a gamble, and while it doesn’t always pay off, we truly appreciated your understanding and flexibility when the weather necessitated a change of plans!

Now that February is over and warmer weather is on the horizon, we’re excited for the promise of spring. The longer days and milder temperatures have us ready to spend more time outdoors with all of you, learning and exploring together. Thank you for your continued support and for the energy and curiosity that you bring to this community. Spring is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see you out there!

Best,

Wendy                                                                                             

Thursday, March 13 | 5 - 7:00 P.M. | Fitch Natural History Reservation

Join EJ Jamison (Kansas Forest Service) and Helen Alexander (retired KU faculty) for a late winter walk through the forests of the Fitch Natural History Reservation. We will learn how to identify trees before their leaves emerge by focusing on bark, branching patterns, buds, and other distinctive characteristics that remain visible year-round.

We will also discuss the history and ecology of northeast Kansas forests, located in the prairie-forest ecotone, where the eastern deciduous forest meets the tallgrass prairie. This particular forest, shaped by the unique interplay of these ecosystems, offers a chance to observe landscape changes and reflect on the impacts of human activity, as it is part of a long-term study on ecological succession without human management.

Join us to sharpen your naturalist skills and gain a deeper appreciation for our native trees!

Where: Meet at the Suzanne Ecke McColl Nature Reserve, 2055 E 1600 Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66044

What to bring: Closed-toed shoes, long pants treated with tick repellent (picaridin or permethrin), a water bottle, and your curiosity!

What to expect: A slow-paced 2-mile walk along a gravel driveway and uneven woodland trail with some elevation changes.

Please register by emailing Wendy (wendyholman@ku.edu) as space is limited.

*This program is dependent on the weather and may need to be canceled or postponed due to wind or rain. Wendy will email registrants to confirm or cancel the program no later than Wednesday, March 12th. 

Sunday, March 23 | 2:00 P.M. | Armitage Education Center, KU Field Station

March Topic: Prairie Restoration: If We Build It, Do They Really Come?

Are we truly restoring prairies, or just planting them? Restoration efforts often focus on bringing back native plants, assuming that once the plants return, the rest of the ecosystem will follow. But is that really the case? Most restoration research uses plant communities as a measure of success, yet we know that a healthy prairie ecosystem is much more than plants. It also includes the invertebrates that pollinate plants, cycle nutrients, and provide food for animals like birds, reptiles, and mammals, all with vital roles in sustaining a healthy ecosystem.

Join us for a talk with Dr. Eric Duell, postdoctoral fellow with the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, as he explores this question. In a two-year study, Eric and his team tested different prairie restoration techniques and assessed their impact on both plants and invertebrates. Using pitfall traps, they studied terrestrial invertebrate communities to determine whether different restoration methods influence which species return to a restored prairie.

Come learn what they discovered and what it means for the future of prairie restoration!

Where: KU Field Station, Armitage Education Center, 350 Wild Horse Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66044

What to bring: A mug for tea/coffee to help us reduce waste.

Please RSVP to Wendy (wendyholman@ku.edu) as space is limited. It also helps us plan for seating and snacks!

Science Sundays talks cover a variety of science topics, including research happening at the KU Field Station. Talks are free and open to everyone, but may not interest younger audiences. These talks are intended for members of the general public who want to learn more about science. You do not have to be a scientist to attend!

Sunday, March 23 | 4:00 P.M. | here-ing at the KU Field Station

Celebrate the changing seasons with us in 2025! Join for the first of a series of seasonal walks, each marking an equinox or solstice. Together, we will walk the here-ing labyrinth, welcoming each new season with intention and connection to the land.

Visiting the same place throughout the year offers an opportunity to observe change: subtle shifts in color, new growth emerging, the arrival and departure of different animals, the way light moves through the landscape. By grounding ourselves and following the path, we can take this time to notice the beauty of the world around us and embrace the transition of the seasons, quietly and in community.

Every place has its own seasonal rhythm, and after last fall's burn, this spring is the perfect time to begin learning the unique rhythm of the here-ing landscape together. We will watch plants reawaken, grow, and transform as the year unfolds.

Come walk with us!

What to expect: The here-ing labyrinth is a narrow, dirt path created and sustained by footsteps. It is approximately one mile (one way) long and takes about an hour to walk in and out. Elevation change is minimal. Click here to learn more about here-ing.

What to bring: Closed-toed shoes, long pants, water bottle. 

Where: Roth Trailhead, 2055 E 1600 Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66044 (Google Maps)

To register, please email Wendy (wendyholman@ku.edu).

This program is weather permitting, so please make sure to register to receive updates from Wendy in case of changes due to the forecast.

This school year, students with the Phoenix Collective have been visiting the KU Field Station for field trips. With a wide age range from 5-16 years old, we've tailored activities to challenge all students as they develop their science skills through hands-on experiences and working with researchers. February’s theme was ornithology, and we were joined by Joanna Corimanya and Nikki Lemus, PhD aspirants in KU Ornithology.

We started the day as a whole group, learning about what makes a bird a bird and how researchers study them. Joanna and Nikki shared their experiences as researchers brought a collection of museum study skins to allow students to closely examine the identifying characteristics and special adaptations of native bird species.

In the afternoon, students split into smaller groups for age-appropriate activities. Younger students focused on supporting local birds and practiced field identification outside. Joanna and Nikki worked with the middle and high school students to deepen their understanding of bird identification and research.

What was initially supposed to be a 20-minute activity for the older students quickly turned into an unforgettable learning experience that only ended after two hours because it was time to go home! As soon as students entered the lab and saw stations set up with museum specimens, they engaged so deeply that we couldn’t interrupt. Armed with field guides and newly acquired bird identification skills, students dove into identifying native bird species using the museum study skins. From easier-to-identify species like the Common Nighthawk to tricky ones like LeConte’s and Grasshopper Sparrows, to noticing the subtle differences between Dark-eyed Junco subspecies, they fully committed to identifying every bird.

The energy in the room was incredible as students discussed taxonomy, color patterns, beak shape, and seasonal distributions. Watching their critical thinking skills grow in real time was inspiring. As teachers, it is a beautiful thing to watch students take charge of their own learning. We may not have gone birding as planned, but we couldn’t have asked for a more fulfilling day.

Students in Art & Ecology, taught by Emily Mulvaney in the Department of Visual Arts, visited the field station to learn about prescribed fire. Sheena Parsons, KU Field Station manager, introduced the class to fire as a land stewardship tool and explored the intersection of fire culture and artistic practice. The students then experienced fire firsthand, burning a small prairie patch under the guidance of Sheena and Tom McKenna, Assistant Research Professor with the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research. Students gained insights into how fire shapes landscapes and inspires creativity, leaving with a deeper appreciation for its significance in both nature and human relationships.

We had a great time at the Lawrence Public Library’s Seed Library launch! We teamed up with Rachel Osborn, KU Entomology Collection Manager, who brought trays of insects showcasing the diversity of pollinators and other species native to our area. Around 100 people stopped by to learn why insects matter, how to support them in their backyards, and why our local insects are so cool! Rachel’s passion for insects was contagious, drawing in people of all ages and sparking great conversations. Thanks to everyone who joined us. We loved sharing our excitement for insects with you!

We finished February under the stars! A huge thank you to the Astronomy Associates of Lawrence, who brought telescopes and shared their vast knowledge and passion for the night sky. Around 50 people joined us to witness the planetary parade and locate different constellations, away from the light pollution of town. Originally scheduled on a bitterly cold night, we’re so glad we rescheduled to a warmer evening! People brought blankets, stretched out and relaxed under the open sky, and enjoyed the beauty of the stars together. Stay tuned for more stargazing events!

Not on social media? No problem.

Here are a few of our favorites from the past month. 

In case you need to hear it, this opossum is here to politely remind you that you're going to ✨CRUSH IT✨ this week, pals!

The weather’s warming up, so why not take a little you time and get outside? The woodland trails might be a bit muddy, but the paved 0.4-mile Rockefeller Prairie Trail is waiting for you! 🌱

✨🍄 #ThrowbackThursday 🍄✨

Last fall was packed with so many wonderful things, and we’re missing days spent outside learning together. Today, we’re thinking back to warmer times and this mushroom foray at the Rice Woodlands last September! 🍂

It was a morning of slowing down and noticing the little things, like tiny bird’s nest fungi growing on a walnut shell, delicate fungi fanning out in intricate patterns beneath a fallen branch, and a snail commuting along the forest floor. Everyone found something that sparked curiosity and a sense of wonder. 🐌

This special day was made possible by the Kaw Valley Mycological Society and the Lawrence Public Library, who partnered with A New Guide to Kansas Mushrooms authors, Sherry Kay and Ben Sikes, to help us explore Baldwin Woods and dive into the world of fungi.

Time outside always leaves us feeling fuller, happier, and healthier. We can’t wait to get back out there with you! 🌱💛

🔥🌱 We had so much fun hosting KU's Environmental Restoration Club, joined by students from the Tallgrass Prairie Restoration class, for a full day of learning about prescribed fire! We covered the science behind intentional fire and spent time working with live fire together in an active prairie restoration. With each group that contributes to this restoration, we get more excited to see this outdoor classroom grow into a place for creative learning for people of all ages.

A huge thank you to these passionate changemakers for making the day such a success! 🌾🔥

This is the monthly newsletter for the University of Kansas Field Station community. Each month, we share details about upcoming public programs, volunteer opportunities, and highlights from the month before. 

To read previous issues, please visit our newsletter archives.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Wendy at wendyholman@ku.edu.

University of Kansas Field Station Mission: 

   To foster scholarly research, environmental education and science-based stewardship of natural resources.

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