2020 KANSAS Year in Review Directors Letter Conservation By The Numbers It seems that 2020 has been the year for new beginnings, overhauling how, when and where 142,793 6,532 750% each of us lives, works and plays. So, it’s fitting that 2020 is also the yearafter The Nature acres members increase in lesser prairie-chickens Conservancy celebrated a 30-year anniversary in Kansas. This wasn’t a year to rest on laurels. permanently in Kansas at Smoky Valley Ranch, Instead, The Nature Conservancy was as aggressive as ever, working to make our vision of a protected 2015 to 2020 world where people and nature thrive a reality in the Sunflower State.

Both of us grew up in Kansas and have lived here for the majority of our lives. Many things have changed over the years but what remains unchanged is the reality that the lives of 10,000 602 30,000 Kansans are tightly tied to nature. Conserving land, water and air quality also impacts acres of prescribed fire in the stream people visited livelihoods and families. The threats to nature’s well-being grow more complex with each Red Hills conducted by local miles Little Jerusalem Badlands passing year. Climate change isn’t a distant threat, it’s happening now. prescribed burning associations protected State Park in first year open

This year-in-review shares a few of the milestones and conservation successes achieved in 2020, despite the challenges of a pandemic. All of it is possible only with the passionate people who support our work. It is our hope that you find something in the pages of this 500 17 800,000 report that inspires you to share it with a friend—and that you continue to share your support veterans states now have Site Wind Right people get their with us. trained mapping, a project that originated in drinking water from at SAVE Farm Kansas & Oklahoma the Kansas River

Rob Manes Brad Bradley 2 327 Director Chair, Board of Trustees 351 radio receivers installed at acres of tallgrass prairie bison with unique Cheyenne Bottoms to protected with a new Wind Cave lineage track migrating animals conservation easement this year safeguarded in Kansas

Contents

Directors Letter...... 2 Governor Reaffirms Tallgrass Heartland……...... 14 By the Numbers………...... …….3 Tallgrass Prairie Quarter Issued…………...... 14 Restoring E-Flow to the Kansas River…...... 4 Veterans Next Mission: Sustainable Agriculture...... 15 Shorebird Habitat at Cheyenne Bottoms...... 6 Radio Tracking Birds………...... 16 Fire Rx...... 7 Farming Innovations for Rattlesnake Creek...... 16 Preserves Go Solar…………...... 7 Little Jerusalem: One Year Later.…………...... 17 A Family Legacy…………...... 8 Donors...... ……………...... 18 Smoky Valley Ranch Made Whole Again...... …...... 9 Great American Outdoors Act…...………...... 22 2020 Collegiate Interns & Fellows...………...... 10 Nature Lab………………...... 22 Latin American Partnership...... 11 Contact Us……….……...... 23 Conservation Stewardship in the Flint Hills...... 12

2 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 2020 KANSAS YEAR IN REVIEW NATURE.ORG/ KANSAS 3 interests.” do isfindascientifically defensibleplantoimprove the river withoutharmingcommercial scenario withtherealities ofwhatweallneedtheriver toprovide forus. Butwhatwecan “This processwon’t happenovernight,” explains Mehl. “We have toreconcileaperfect world cooperation ofadiverse groupofstakeholders toimplement. pulse ofwater tohelpspecificfishspecies. Othersaremorecomplicatedandwilltake the throughmanygo layers ofreview. Someofthe recommendationsaresimple:amid-summer the river. Theteam’s formalrecommendationstoestablish “environmental flows” must now operations couldbemadewhilestill meeting allthedemandsofcommunitiesthatrelyon along withother todamandreservoir non-profitorganizations—reviewedwhatchanges This year, the projectteam—which includesrepresentatives fromstate andfederalagencies everycycles tosedimentationand aspectofriverwater quality. healthfromfishandinsect life That variabilityisakey torestoring amorenaturalflow tothe Kansas River, and itimpacts would bedryandhow thesechangingconditionsaffectedthehealthofriver ecosystem.” vary. We couldthenshow how theriver wouldhave flowed afterawet year oradrought,whenit literature frombeforethedamswerebuilttounderstand how conditionsintheriver would water andagricultureprogramsforTheNatureConservancy. “We reviewedallofthescientific river, andthenhow thoseflows have beendistrupted by dams,” says Heidi Mehl, directorof “We first hadtodetermine how speciesinthe Kansas River relyonthenaturalflows ofthe of Engineers. Project, anation-wide partnershipbetween andtheU.S. TheNatureConservancy Army Corps dams alongtheKansas River isbeingrevisited.TheKaw was addedtotheSustainable Rivers Now, almost seventy yearslater, theway andwater reservoirs isreleasedfrom aremanaged plan hasalsonever beenupdated. time focusedonlyonthehumanneedsforriver andnot thehealthofriver itself.The levees, damsandreservoirs toprevent futurenaturaldisasters. planatthat Themanagement After thedevastating GreatFloodof1951,theKansas River was transformedwithanetwork of we’ve alsocontrolleditsflow. power, itssands, dredge floatitscurrentsandharvest its water forourfields. Butfordecades, The Kansas River, known locallyastheKaw River, provides. We drinkitswater, harnessits RESTORING FLOW TO THEKANSAS RIVER

© Lisa Grossman FIRE Rx Fire, whether lightning-caused or human-made, has maintained the prairies of the Great Plains for thousands of years. It is a key driver in the health and sustainability of If you build it, they will come. grasslands home to native plants and animals that require periodic fire in order to survive. But ever since European settlement, people have suppressed fire across most of North America’s Three years ago, The Nature Conservancy began implementing a new management plan to increase grasslands, allowing woody plants and trees to grow thick while the prairies degrade. This is shorebird habitat at Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve, adjacent to the state-owned Cheyenne Bottoms particularly evident in the Red Hills, also called the Gypsum Hills, of Barber, Comanche and Clark Wildlife Area north of Great Bend. And each year since, an increased number of shorebirds has been counties where eastern red cedar trees have taken over much of the mixed-grass prairie. documented at the preserve, with 2020 marking the best year in more than a decade. The solution? Carefully planned and controlled burning, called prescribed fire, that mimics natural “Shorebirds prefer to feed and rest in places where the vegetation is about half the height of the bird,” fires. These fires are strategically designed by a team of fire experts and only occur under the safest explains avian conservation manager Robert Penner. “Since shorebirds come in many sizes, we try to conditions. Careful consideration is given to many factors, including the weather and wind, to ensure create a wide variety of conditions, from shortgrass prairie to wide open mudflats.” that the fire practitioners and nearby communities are safe and protected.

Grazing cattle are frequently rotated through different pastures to keep plant height down. The Nature Conservancy supports the development of rancher-led prescribed burn associations in Mechanical techniques, like mowing select areas at designated times of the year, are also used to the Red Hills, providing training and donating equipment like water tanks, protective gear and radios. provide the different habitats. But it’s not just for shorebirds—of­ the 482 bird species known to This year, the Gyp Hills Prescribed Burn Association, the Cherokee Strip Prescribed Burn Association Kansas, 356 have been observed at Cheyenne Bottoms. A single wetland type cannot provide all the and—the newest—Little Mule Creek Prescribed Burn Association performed a total of seventeen resources required by all plants and animals. Ensuring a diversity of vegetation types and structure is prescribed fires covering more than 10,000 acres. the best opportunity to meet the complex conservation needs of this world-class destination.

PRESERVES GO SOLAR This year, solar panels were installed on building roofs at The Nature Conservancy’s Smoky Valley Ranch and Cheyenne Bottoms preserves. It is estimated these panels will generate 38,000 kilo- watt hours of electricity each year from the sun— that’s enough to power three average American homes*!

The impacts of climate change include more extreme weather and natural disasters, chronic droughts and economic instability. Increasing the use of renewable energy is just one piece of the climate puzzle, but it’s an important one for Cheyenne Bottoms © Beau Rapelye Bottoms Cheyenne Kansas, which is one of the sunniest states in the United States despite all the old jokes about the weather here. Throughout the country, states could generate more than a third of their electricity sales from rooftop solar, which doesn’t

generate carbon pollution and can be sited on © Justin Roemer/TNC already-converted spaces. *Source: Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Equivalency Calculator

NATURE.ORG/ KANSAS 7 A Family Legacy My parents, Roger and Jeanne Blessing, enjoyed the natural areas of Kansas, including many that Smoky Valley Ranch were conserved by The Nature Conservancy. Jeanne grew up in Great Bend, where Roger enjoyed hunting at Cheyenne Bottoms —a world-class wetland and bird migration area protected by both The Nature Conservancy and state of Kansas. They both volunteered at Symphony in the Flint Made Whole Again Hills events, including the first one held at The Nature Conservancy’s Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County. Travel included watching prairie chickens dancing on a Konza Prairie For the first time in 150 years, Smoky Valley Ranch is on its way lek and bison grazing at the Smoky Valley Ranch, both Nature Conservancy preserves. Enjoying to being entirely grassland. When The Nature Conservancy nature and a desire to see it conserved was a family affair. They taught me to agree that natural purchased the western Kansas shortgrass prairie property in Kansas is beautiful and interesting, not flat and boring. 1999, several parcels had been carved out of the ranch, sold to other buyers and converted to cropland. The plan was always to It was natural that one of their legacies was a gift to support The Nature Conservancy’s work eventually acquire those inholdings and make the ranch whole in Kansas after their passing. While such contributions can be specified through wills or trusts, again. The final 528-acre piece was purchased in the spring of they can also be made by designating The Nature Conservancy as a beneficiary of life insurance 2020. or retirement plans. Special arrangements for gifts that provide income or donations of stocks or other property can be made with the knowledgeable staff at The Nature Conservancy. “Prairie is a process as much as it is a place you can point to,” says Matt Bain, western Kansas conservation manager for I hope you will join my family and consider making your legacy gift soon, so you can also help to The Nature Conservancy. “It is a process that includes fire and protect the natural areas of Kansas for generations to come. grazing. Now that the ranch is completely unfragmented, we can better manage those processes.” Bill Blessing Board of Trustees It won’t happen overnight, though.

“Reconstruction is a better word for it than restoration,” explains Bain. “Many of the native seeds we need to return this land to prairie aren’t commercially available, so we’ve had to hand-collect some seeds. And it will take a few years of cover crops and waiting out the long-term effects of residual herbicide before we can even begin planting in some places.”

REQUEST INFORMATION Still, it’s a vision long-awaited for the ranch, where the goal is to to find the planned gift that’s right for you. Contact John conserve what’s left of this prairie—both for the native wildlife Cougher at [email protected] that depend on it and also for the ranchers who depend on it for or 785-233-4400. their livelihood.

The now 18,000-acre Smoky Valley Ranch welcomes visitors to the 1-mile and 5.5-mile hiking loops on the western boundary.

Anne & Bill, Roger & Jeanne and Craig Blessing at NATURE.ORG/SMOKYVALLEYRANCH Symphony in the Flint Hills, 2007

Photos top to bottom: Lesser prairie-chicken © Justin Roemer/TNC, Yellow evening primrose © Jim Richardson, Yucca and Pronghorn © Lance Hedges/TNC IRE BUR CLA CH 2020 Collegiate Interns & Fellows FROM THE CLAIRE BURCH* recently successfully defended her master’s thesis at the University of Oklahoma. She is a National Science Foundation research Land of Oz TO THE trainee who chose to work in the Flint Hills for her fellowship this year. U N A I Prior to her summer field work at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, she VE OM R H End of the World S developed a model to design the unique seed mixes required for prairie ITY OF OKLA restoration. Claire says the on-site fellowship allowed her “to explore a Dramatic rolling grasslands dissected by Flint Hills in Kansas. A small group of Kansas OR CHAMP new avenue for human dimensions of natural resource management,” and NN NE CO Y pristine streams. Astounding biodiversity. trustees and staff visited in February just she plans to continue her research while pursuing a doctoral degree. Vital habitat for migrating birds. Ecosystems before international travel was restricted. threatened by energy development and at risk They met with their Argentine counterparts CONNOR CHAMPNEY* returned to Smoky Valley Ranch for his second of conversion. This may sound like Kansas— for in-depth conversations about sustainable internship. He is an undergraduate student at Fort Hays State University and it should—but it also describes many of grazing, the protection of river headwaters, and says learning the scientific rationale for range management decisions F the places where The Nature Conservancy the impact of expanding renewable energy O Y R was one of the most important things he’s learned. He says his favorite T IT H RS works in Latin America. Over the past development and more. AY VE part was “seeing all the little things we did pay off—from providing water S STATE UNI year, Kansas staff and trustees have joined for the cattle to checking fences. It helped me realize that I was making a colleagues in Argentina and Colombia to In the Meta state of Colombia, The Nature KER ECKO difference.” TUC LS exchange ideas, share lessons hard-won and, Conservancy is working with the national as always, move conservation forward no park agency and private funders to establish TUCKER ECKOLS is back for another year, this time at Tallgrass Prairie matter the continent. a protected area and surrounding buffer zone National Preserve after an internship at Smoky Valley Ranch two years across nearly 240,000 acres. Staff from Kansas ago. The Emporia State University senior’s work this fall will include At Fortin Chacabuco, The Nature and other central states have assisted their beginning a 100-acre prairie restoration and documenting plant forage Conservancy’s only property in Argentina, Colombian colleagues with key elements E M Y for livestock and wildlife. P T sheep and cattle graze the northern Patagonia of the project, including due diligence and O SI RIA ER STATE UNIV grasslands in a landscape reminiscent of the fundraising.

MALACHI HARRIS is a Chase County native studying ecology & Pague/TNC © Chris in Argentina grasslands Patagonian biodiversity at Emporia State University, so Tallgrass Prairie National LACHI HARR MA IS Preserve was a natural choice for his summer internship with The Nature Conservancy. His work included ecological monitoring, controlling invasive plants and harvesting seed for restoration.

ALEX MURRAY put his dual degrees in finance and environmental studies E to work this summer as the David T. Beals III Healthy Streams for Kansas M Y P T O SI Fellow. The recent graduate of the University of Kansas developed a RIA ER STATE UNIV report to determine the economic value of conserving natural resources in the Blue River watershed. Alex says “working with and for The Nature X MURR ALE AY Conservancy was an absolute dream come true.”

*Claire Burch and Connor Champney received the Lance Hedges Conservation Award, a scholarship named in memory of the former Kansas director of conservation for The Nature Conservancy who championed the next generation of conservationists.

U N S IV A ER NS 10 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 2020 KANSAS YEAR IN REVIEW SITY OF KA NATURE.ORG/ KANSAS 11 Protected...Then What?

Conservation Stewardship in the Flint Hills Hills © Jim Griggs Flint

The last large expanse of nurture some of the greatest 110,000 acres of protected prairie grasses,” explains Conservation Stewardship the technical information and tallgrass prairie can be found biological diversity in the world, land. Just this year, The Nature Capizzo. “Wildlife like greater Initiative. “Their living is made educational resources that on a day trip for many Kansans. but ranchers cannot protect it Conservancy added a 327-acre prairie-chickens would be here. They are the stewards land managers and partners The Flint Hills extend from alone. easement in the heart of the displaced. Many native plants of this land, making decisions ask for, like conservation north of Manhattan, past Flint Hills. would be unable to thrive every day that impact their science publications, grazing Wichita and into northern Some Flint Hills ranchers without the heat from fire and livelihoods and the landscape management demonstration Oklahoma, where they become have exercised a bold vision “Conservation easements disturbance of grazing.” they respect and cherish.” sites and ranch tours. known as the Osage Hills. The to protect their piece of the are a great first step,” says Flint Hills welcome thousands tallgrass prairie, by granting Tony Capizzo, who directs That’s where the concept of Just like The Nature “Layering this additional of visitors to celebrated nature conservation easements on The Nature Conservancy’s conservation stewardship comes Conservancy has done for conservation on top of preserves like Konza Prairie their lands. Those easements Flint Hills Initiative. “With in. It’s more than just taking years, ranchers are increasingly easements advances our goal and Tallgrass Prairie National allow livestock grazing to an easement, that land won’t care of the land. Conservation working across the fence to of maintaining the last expanse Preserve, but nearly all of this continue but preclude the types ever become a parking lot, but stewardship is actively working get conservation-based land of tallgrass prairie in a truly sea of grass is privately-owned of development which threaten a living, breathing ecosystem to improve the health of the management on the ground. meaningful way,” says Capizzo. rangeland grazed by cattle. the region’s ecology. needs more than just that one land, including the plants, water, “And we hope that by providing safeguard.” soil and animals that depend “We’re here to help them do landowners support, more For generations, it has been Thanks to landowners and the on it. In short, sustainably that,” adds Wiggam. will consider the long-term the cattle ranching community work of land trusts like The If a piece of tallgrass prairie had managing the entire ecological protection of their land through that has kept the Flint Hills a Nature Conservancy, Kansas a conservation easement and community. The exact services provided by conservation easements.” vibrant agricultural landscape Land Trust, Ranchland Trust was then left completely alone The Nature Conservancy will be and prevented it from being of Kansas and the U.S. Fish & for years, it wouldn’t be tallgrass “Ranchers are the heart of customized to each property and SIGN UP If you manage plowed under, developed or Wildlife Service, the Flint Hills prairie anymore. lasting conservation in the Flint could include developing grazing land in the Flint Hills and would like more information overrun with invasive plants are scattered with conservation Hills,” says Shelly Wiggam, and drought plans and hands-on about conservation stewardship, and trees. The deep-rooted easements, creating a north- “Trees would become who was recently hired to lead assistance controlling invasive contact Shelly Wiggam at shelly. prairie grasses in the Flint Hills to-south network of more than widespread, choking out the The Nature Conservancy’s species. Wiggam will also offer [email protected] or 785-477-6592.

Flint Hills © Jim Griggs eterans Sustainable Agriculture Governor Kelly Re-affirms V : Tallgrass Wind Moratorium Next Mission A veteran-led nonprofit, time covering a range of topics In August, Governor Laura Kelly issued a proclamation to Servicemember Agricultural like agricultural science, law, continue the moratorium on the development of wind power Vocation Education (SAVE), has marketing, agri-biotechnology, infrastructure in the previously established Tallgrass Heartland secured its future and is now the wildlife management, molecular region of the Flint Hills. This moratorium dates back to 2004 proud owner of a 308-acre farm biology, welding, commercial and has consistently received enthusiastic bipartisan support, TALLGRASS PRAIRIE northwest of Manhattan, Kansas. driving and woodworking. Kansas demonstrating that Kansans can come together to protect our QUARTER On November 16, State University’s agricultural valuable shared natural resources. The Nature Conservancy the United States Mint will SAVE Farm was established in program is providing the farm applauds Governor Kelly’s decision. issue a coin commemorating 2015 as a pathway to farming for with their curriculum for the Tallgrass Prairie National veterans and servicemembers by educational programs. The Nature Conservancy actively supports the rapid deployment Preserve in Kansas under providing agricultural training of low-impact renewable energy in Kansas and throughout the the America the Beautiful and medical assistance to men To date, SAVE has trained more Great Plains. Kansas is a great place to do that. However, wind Quarters Program. The and women transitioning from than 500 veterans and over 90% energy takes a lot of land, and, if the projects are improperly sited, program selected one the military to civilian life. The of them have gone on to either they threaten some of our most special places and the unique national park or other site program offers students an farm themselves or find jobs wildlife of the region. The Flint Hills nurture some of the greatest in each state for its natural opportunity to learn firsthand elsewhere in the agriculture biological diversity in the world, and they deserve continued or historic significance. about managing cropland, business sector; but the effort is protection. Tallgrass Prairie National livestock animals, orchards, in the beginning stages. Preserve—the country’s only horticulture and bees. SAVE’s Fortunately, robust wind energy and abundant wildlife do not need national park unit dedicated program is specially designed to “It’s SAVE’s hope, and our hope, to be at odds. Science shows we can meet and exceed ambitious to tallgrass prairie—covers remove barriers for those with that this model will be replicated renewable energy goals without developing the Flint Hills. both criteria with its diverse disabilities to work with farm at all land grant universities,” ecosystem and rich ranching equipment and animals. says Heidi Mehl, director of NATURE.ORG/SITEWINDRIGHT legacy. Staff from The water and agriculture programs Nature Conservancy and SAVE had been leasing their for The Nature Conservancy. the National Park Service farm for many years, and when “Eventually, thousands of worked with the U.S. Mint on the opportunity to purchase the SAVE farmers will be using a design that symbolizes the property presented itself, two best conservation practices largest expanse of tallgrass national, environment-focused right from the beginning of prairie left in the world. The nonprofit organizations—The their careers. Things like no- quarter depicts a skyward Nature Conservancy and The till, cover crops, diversification, view of a regal fritillary Conservation Fund—stepped up grazing for wildlife, managing butterfly against a backdrop to provide low-cost loans for the for pollinators—they aren’t an of iconic big bluestem and acquisition. afterthought, but rather deeply Indian grasses. integrated into how SAVE teaches At SAVE, on-the-soil experience farming.” is combined with classroom © Jim Richardson

Photos © SAVE Farm 14 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 2020 KANSAS YEAR IN REVIEW NATURE.ORG/ KANSAS 15 RADIO TRACKING BIRDS AT CHEYENNE BOTTOMS Two radio LITTLE JERUSALEM BADLANDS STATE PARK receivers have been installed at Cheyenne Bottoms to track the movements of small flying animals, such as birds, bats and large insects, that have been fitted with One Year Later... transmitters. The tracking towers are part The results are in, and Little Jerusalem is a hit. Since opening in October 2019, more than 30,000 of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, an people have visited Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in Logan county. The 332-acres of dramatic international research network that studies chalk rock formations are owned by The Nature Conservancy, which partnered with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to make portions of the area open to the public. Little the movement of small animals (motus is Latin for movement or motion) and has Jerusalem is open sunup to sundown daily, all year round, including holidays, with two, permanent one of the world’s largest wildlife tracking hiking trails that take you to multiple scenic overlooks at your own pace. State Park staff also offer datasets. The vast majority of receivers in guided tours and special events, including occasional night-time tours, by reservation only. the United States are in the east, with very little data from the central states. These NATURE.ORG/LITTLEJERUSALEM new stations at Cheyenne Bottoms—one on The Nature Conservancy preserve in the northwest corner of the wetland basin and another at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center to the southeast—create an electronic fence of sorts, to detect all tagged animals that pass through the area. Data will help show how fast animals move between locations, how long they stay and what Top: White-rumped sandpiper with radio tag © Nick Docken Bottom: Motus receiver locations in the United States © Motus Wildlife Tracking System migration paths are followed.

FARMING INNOVATIONS FOR RATTLESNAKE CREEK The Nature Conservancy has begun an on-farm trial project in the area around Rattlesnake Creek in Edwards and Stafford counties to test new irrigation technology. This project will utilize mobile drip irrigation, which applies water directly to the soil surface, and an irrigation scheduling tool developed by Kansas State University. The goal is to reduce the amount of groundwater pumped and used for Mobile drip lines© K-State Research and Extension Research Mobile drip lines© K-State crop fields while still maintaining harvest size and profitability. Low annual rainfall in the creek basin means successful crop production is dependent on supplemental water drawn from the Great Bend Prairie aquifer. This aquifer is also crucial to the health of the nearby Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, which is critcal habitat for the endangered whooping crane. For years, the local groundwater management district, GMD5, has encouraged water conservation but there is an urgent need for new solutions that allow farmers to use water more efficiently. © Mickey Shannon SIGN UP If you would like to enroll as a Water Technology Farm in Hogle sign © Bruce Trail © Rick McNary, Carrell SaraKay and Naturalist on opening day Visitors This work is supported by the Conservation Innovation this project, please contact Heidi Mehl, director of water & agriculture Grants program at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Other key partners include WaterPACK, Kansas programs at [email protected] or 785-233-4400. State University and GMD5. NATURE.ORG/ KANSAS 17 Davis • Steve & Connie Davis • Terry E. Flentje • Gary L. Flory • Mary W. Haggerty • Barbara Haight • Debbie Huizenga • Bill & Claudia Hulsey • E. Davis • Craig A. Dawson • Ann Day Floyd • Rebecca Floyd • Beth & Kent Halderman • Karen Halderson • Doug Katherine R. Hummels • William & Roger Clawitter • Sharon DeBliek- Foerster and the Foerster Family • A. Hall • Jennifer Hall • Mark Hall • Humphrey • Duane Hund • Larry R. Anderson • Jack & Marilyn DeBoer & Enell Foerster • Patrick Forbes • Stephen E. Hall • Winifred Hall • Mick Hund • Joe & Ann Hurd • Shirley Hurt Every gift plays a crucial role. DeBoer Foundation Inc. • Gail F. Marsha M. Forcum • Carol M. Foret • Halter • Mary L. Hamilton • Susan • Gerald F. Huschka • Susan S. Degeer • Karin Dembinski • Raymond Jill M. Forrest • William & Constance Hammer • Luke Hance • Carol Hand • Hustead • Mark Hutchins • The Nature Conservancy’s accomplishments are only made possible by the many individuals, organizations, E. Dennis • Kay B. Denny • George D. Fortenbaugh • Jan Foster • Ronald Zack & Susan Hangauer • David M. Hutchinson Community Foundation • businesses and foundations that make financial contributions to our conservation programs. In addition to acres and Devins • David C. Dickeson • Alice Fowlkes • Connie K. Fox • Lon R. Hann • Sandra & Philip Hannon • C. J. Matthew Hutchinson • Kira D. stream miles protected, natural areas restored and wildlife habitat safeguarded, your donation supports many other Diederich • Sybil B. Diehl • Mary Ann Frahm • Sarah L. Frank • Hank & Paula Hanson • Pamela & Karl Hanson • Hutchison • Mary & Carl Ice • Russell elements of conservation work, such as science, research, policy and educational internships. A. Dietrich • Edward W. Dillingham • Frankel • Amy R. Franklin • Karen Brian Hanzelka • Debra S. Harber- & Norva Icke • Michael & Bonnie We are honored to recognize the following donors who made contributions of $100 or more from July 1, 2019 through David & Dee Dillon • Judith A. Dillon • Franklin • Raymond & Janet Franz • Dennis • Nathan Harbur • James R. Ingram • Innovative Livestock June 30, 2020. Everyone listed here has ties to Kansas. Some live here, others live elsewhere and prefer their gifts be Mary Dillon & John Hafker • Ruth & Michael & Charlene Frederick • Harding • Tom & Linda Harmon • Services, Inc. • Barbara & David used for projects in Kansas. In some cases, these contributions supported conservation in other parts of the world. We Paul Dillon • Chris Dischler • Karen L. Charles & Diane Frickey • Franklin A. Duane K. Harms • Susie A. Harms • Isaacson • Ruth N. Isenberg • ITC deeply appreciate every gift and regret that space constraints prevent us from listing all donors. Divelbiss • John & Deborah Divine • Friedman • Donna Friesen • Gregg & Shae Harrigan • Marcia Harris • Mary Holdings Corp • John & Sharon Jennifer L. Dixon • Dennis L. Dobson • Joanna Friesen • Harry J. Frieze • Julie T. Harris • Richard J. Harris • Juanita Iverson • Pat Jackson • Russ & Vickie Lauren Aaronson & Philip Meltzer • Bean • Mary Ann Beattie • Joe & Reta Brock • Mark J. Brodkey • Charlie J. Coffin • Harry Hurst Coffman • Barton Jill Docking • Walter Dodds & Dolly Fritz • William M. Fuller • Dolores Harrison • Kelly & Tanja Harrison • Jacobs • Alison & Eric Jager • Rebecca Peggy A. Abbey • Grace Adams • Beauchamp • Ann Beck • David Beck Brook • Elizabeth Brosius • Doris M. P. & Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust • Gudder • Ursula Dold • David & Lynn Furtado • Donald Fusco • Roger C. Tracy J. Harrison • Caverly H. Hart • K. Jahelka • James M. Cox Foundation Kimberley Adams-McDarty • Thomas & Lynette Joe-Beck • F. C. Beck • Bob Brown • Ken & Ellen Brown • Patrick Robert & Lynne Cohen • Steven E. Dolinar • Darrell & Elaine Donahue • Gaedigk • Anne E. Gallet de St Aurin • Phyllis R. Hart • Robyn M. Hart • Garry • Leslie L. James • John R. Janssen • & Ann Adrian • Robert S. Agatston • L. Becker • Karl & Gail Becker • Donald & Amy Brown • Stanley Brown • Cole • Jason Coleman • Matthew Greg Donahue • Jacqueline K. Sue L. Gallion • Susan & Kent L. Harter • John E. Hartman • William Tanya Jantz • Kenneth & Janet Janzen Dennis J. Aguiar • Christopher D. M. Beets • Darlene & Tom Beller • Steven Bruner • Jacob Bruney • Coles • Bernice L. Collier • Kelley Donahue • Michael Donnelly & Garlinghouse • Stephen & Janet J. Hartshorn • Debbie A. Hartwell • • Ladini R. Jayaratne • Alan Jenkins • Ahrens • Todd Aikins • Kathy E. Albers Monti & Karen Belot • Donna & Jack Robert F. Brush • Debbie Bubenik • Collins • Lois M. Coltrin • Ricky Jacqueline MacDonald • Douglas Garlow • John K. Garrett • James & Clay Harvey & Patty McGivern • William H. Jenkins • Ken Jennings • • David & Helen Alexander • Marcia Bender • Carolyn & Roger Benefiel • Rex C. Buchanan • Matthew J. Combes • Kirby Commer • Joyce M. County Community Foundation • Carol Garrison • Patricia Gateley • Sherry J. Haub • Marsha Haufler • Michael Jensen • David & Karen Allen & Horace Santry • Ward N. Allen Benevity Community Impact Fund • Buechner • Bruce & Meribeth Buhr • Conard • William M. 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Hax • Lena Hayden • Marlene Joseph & Anne Jezak • Joby & Jan Ambrose • Bruce S. Andersen • Ada J. • David Bergman • Lila Berkley • Jay C. Burns • Dean L. Burrell • Nathan Conway • Terry & Becky Cook • Nancy Doyle • Chris & Kaye Drahozal Doug George • Linda R. Gibson • C. Hayes • Bill Hays & Rose Rousseau • Jobson • Doug Johansen • Heather E. Anderson • Chris C. Anderson • Deborah & Daniel Berry • Fred & Burrell & Kelly Blandford • Rosemary Thornton & Joan Cooke • Sara • Larry F. Drbal • Betty & William Gies • John H. Gilbert • Phyllis Gillum Larry Hays • John P. Healy • Vic & Johns • Bianca Johnson • Brian Christopher Anderson • Curtis & Suzanne Berry • Jackie Beucher • N. Burroughs • Linda D. Burton • Bill & Coolbaugh • John P. Cooley • Barbara Drees • K. E. Drennen • Daniel & Janet • Robert Glazier • Darryl Gleason • Ruth Heckart • Stacey L. Hedges • Johnson & Brenda Kostner Johnson • Debbie Anderson • Gary A. 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Robertsen • Sheen • Jan Sheldon • Jill Shelley & Sunderland Foundation • Bill Sutton • A. Wallace • John & Janet Walters • Dorothy Zellers • Donna W. Ziegnhorn Lord • Janette Luehring • Robert M. Ginevera K. Moore • John L. Moore • Person • Joan G. Peschka • Jerome T. Polly Robertus • Betty Jane Robinson David Baldwin • Jack & Mimi Shellito • Michelle E. Swain • Michael Swanson Michael E. Walters • Everett L. Ward • • Dan Zimmerman • Ina K. Lundquist • Linda & John Lungstrum • Martin Moore & Durand Reiber Peterie • Karla & Paul Peters • Mary • Peter & Letticia Robinson • Sally David E. Shelly • Xinglei Shen • Sandra • Ellen E. Sward • Becky L. Swart • Barney Warf • Mike Waring • J. L. Zimmerman • Leslie & Donna Susan Lunte • Lindsay Ly • James R. Charitable Fund at the Douglas County Peters • Thomas Peters & Barbara Robinson • Nancy Jean & Michael A. Shereman • Erika Sherman • John & Ann Swegle & Robert Leake • Donald Warren • Michael P. Washburn • Betty Zimmerman • Robert E. Zimmerman • Lynch • Sharon G. Lynch • David Lyons Community Foundation • Allison Michener • Kenneth & Susan Petersen Rockers • Ruth Rodden • Darrel J. Marny Sherman • Nancy & Richard & Sue Swender • Daniel & Katherine A. Waters • Dan Watkins • Donald K. Jeffrey S. Zongker • Bill & Peggy Lyons • Sha Ma & Han Mordan • Arthur R. Morford • • R. S. Petersen • Amy Peterson • Rodecap • Julie & Len Rodman • Shermoen • Beverly & Roy Sherrell • Swenson • Christine & Rocky Swiger • Watkins • Marlene M. Watson • Oliver Siyuan • Cathy A. Maassen • Sara Deborah Morgan • Kevin & Carol Scott Pettigrew • Patricia A. Petz • Harold & Kathy Roesler • Ben F. We make every effort to ensure that our donor list is correct, but occasionally errors occur. If we have inadvertently left off your name, please accept our apologies and inform us of the mistake by calling (785) 233-4400. Great American Outdoors Act: A Win for Nature Contact Us in Kansas

In recent months, we’ve seen the We want to thank Missouri Senator Roy Blunt The Nature Conservancy 785-233-4400 important role outdoor spaces play in our and Kansas Senator Pat Roberts, along with 2420 NW Button Road [email protected] Kansas daily lives—highlighting the need to conserve, Missouri Representatives Billy Long, Lacy Topeka, KS 66618 nature.org/kansas Board of Trustees maintain and improve access to these places for Clay and Emanuel Cleaver II and Kansas Representatives Roger Marshall and Sharice G. Kenneth Baum Stilwell everyone. The passage of the Great American Davids, for actively supporting and cosponsoring Bill Blessing Leawood Outdoors Act by Congress this month shows our Staff William F. Bradley, Jr. Overland Park this bill. Kelly Callen Wichita representatives have received that message. In a TOPEKA KANSAS CITY David Dillon Mission Hills great bipartisan win in both the Senate and the Rob Manes Kelly Blandford Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act Gordon W. Elliott Pittsburg House, this bill will fully fund the Land and Water Kansas State Director Associate Director of Philanthropy ensures that people in all states are able to enjoy Kelly Harrison Lawrence Conservation Fund, or LWCF, and invest $1.9 a multitude of benefits found in natural areas, Natalie Busby Richard L. Hines Erie Operations Manager PRATT billion annually for the next five years to address outdoor spaces and our national parks— signaling Ken Brunson Stacy Hoeme Scott City a massive backlog of unmet maintenance needs at a lasting commitment to people and nature. John Cougher Red Hills Project Coordinator Mary Ice Manhattan Director of Philanthropy national parks and other public lands. Brian Illig Leawood Nora Cox SMOKY VALLEY RANCH Jeff KennedyWichita Betsey Solberg Beth Alm & Philanthropy Operations Manager Matt Bain Meleda Wegner Lowry Chicago, IL Kansas Trustee, Missouri Trustee, Western Kansas Conservation Fully funding the LWCF means that the annual William M. Lyons Mission Hills Ana Jiménez-Omaña Manager $900 million it is authorized to receive from The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy Executive Assistant & Trustee Liasion Barry Mayhew Mission Hills offshore oil and gas revenues—not tax dollars— Justin Roemer John Mize Salina Heidi Mehl Conservation Steward will go to the fund. In the past, although the Director of Water & Agriculture Patty Reece Mission Hills This letter to the editor ran in the Kansas City Star Charles W. Rice Manhattan money was there, Congress had typically given on July 26, 2020. The president signed the Great Laura Rose Clawson WICHITA Director of Marketing & Outreach Steve Schaumburg William M. Riley, Jr. Manhattan the LWCF less than half that amount. American Outdoors Act into law on August 4, 2020. Associate Director of Philanthropy R. Douglas Sebelius Norton Susan Smith Operations Coordinator Elizabeth T. Solberg Kansas City REMOTE William Stueck Stilwell Jenny Trucano Muller William Burnidge Dale Trott Lenexa Director of Finance & Operations Sustainable Grazing Lands Manager, Stephanie Turner Oakland, CA Kansas & Colorado CHEYENNE BOTTOMS Tyler Woolfolk Protection OUTDOOR CLASSROOM, ONLINE Getting outside is core to a child’s Robert Penner Amy Couch Roger Zellers Wichita understanding of the world around them. Unfortunately, many people Avian Conservation Manager Agriculture Project Director, Kansas & Iowa now spend the overwhelming majority of their lives indoors and schools Keith Reif Land Steward Xen Hasnat are often unable to take field trips to nature preserves. This spring, The IT Manager, Kansas & Nebraska Wichita Nature Conservancy launched Nature Lab, an engaging online platform FLINT HILLS Laura Norian Development Council to help young people confront the urgent and complex challenges facing the planet. Nature Lab helps Tony Capizzo Grants Specialist, Kansas & Iowa Rob Allison Flint Hills Initiative Manager children learn about conserving nature for its own sake and for its ability to fulfill their needs and Julie Wasser Nancy Kassebaum Baker enrich their lives. Modules are aligned with education standards and focus on conservation issues Paula Matile Land Protection Specialist Fred & Sue Berry such as how climate change impacts our lives and the role of healthy fire in grasslands and forests. Land Protection & Stewardship Doug Brehm Specialist Cindy Carnahan High-quality videos transport students to diverse landscapes such as Borneo, Canada and China while Darin McCullough Jill Docking interviews with renowned scientists offer youth a chance to see themselves as agents of change while Conservation Assistant Ron Holt exploring acoustic technology, the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and the need for green energy. Brian Obermeyer Mary Lynn Oliver Easy-to-use learning guides encourage students to make a difference in their own communities. Director of Land Protection & Carol Ritchie Stewardship NATURE.ORG/NATURELAB Paul Stephenson Shelly Wiggam Mikel L. Stout Conservation Stewardship Initiative Richard Varner Manager 22 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 2020 KANSAS YEAR IN REVIEW 23 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 2020 KANSAS YEAR-END REPORT Indian Grass © Jim Griggs

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