2019 YEAR-END REPORT From the Director From the Board Chair

Natural resource conservation is increasingly complex. Success demands disciplined prioritization, large-scale The new Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park certainly tops the news of our 30th anniversary. It joins the Konza implementation, durability, political savvy, science and money—lots of it. Restoring and protecting our planet’s Prairie, Smoky Valley Ranch and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve as iconic Nature Conservancy projects in land, water, air and wildlife must also benefit people. All these things are connected. Kansas.

The way we use land affects water quality. Changing weather patterns influence the way we use land. The I’m proud that The Nature Conservancy has a big conservation footprint and an even bigger reputation for trust energy we consume changes both land and air. Ecosystems and wildlife habitats are impacted by everything and collaboration in Kansas. And we will always work to preserve iconic landscapes. Yet while Little Jerusalem is we do. Every natural resource impact, whether negative or positive, affects people’s lives. This connectivity rightfully grabbing the headlines and drawing attention to our organization and its work, it is some lesser-known demands that we think not just about places and species but also about systems—big systems that look at the projects that have me most excited. relationship between our natural resources and the people who rely on them. The Nature Conservancy realizes it can never own or put easements on enough land to achieve our ambitious In 1989, Alan Pollom, Wayne Lebsack, John Strickler, Kenny Baum and a few other newly-minted Kansas conservation goals. So, we are also increasingly influencing land not held by The Nature Conservancy. We’re trustees brought The Nature Conservancy onto the Kansas conservation stage. Their first undertaking was cleaning up Kansas streams, like the Blue River in southern Johnson County and the more rural Rattlesnake addressing threats to Cheyenne Bottoms. The strategy was simple though expensive—buy the right land, Creek near St. John. We’re seeking the most effective ways to help farmers adopt soil health principles. restore it and manage it to protect it forever. We have repeated this process many times—at Tallgrass Prairie We support prescribed burning collectives in the Red Hills, and we have many more exciting plans under National Preserve, Smoky Valley Ranch, Konza Biological Research Station, Anderson County Prairies and Little development. Jerusalem Badlands State Park. We’ve also helped other organizations protect ecologically-important areas by investing money and expertise—like at Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, Jamestown Wildlife Area All of these are truly projects that will help change the world for the better. Our many talented staff members and many other special places. and all the trustees are proud to share this update of what we’ve been doing in 2019 with you, our members. On behalf of all of us, thank you very, very much. More recently, we’ve worked outside the boundaries of nature preserves and on other privately-owned lands. Happy 30th Anniversary! We apply conservation easements and land management science across large, high-priority landscapes in the Brad Bradley Red Hills, Flint Hills, Smoky Hills and western Kansas grasslands. Our Healthy Streams for Kansas Initiative directs our attention to protecting pristine prairie streams, restoring agricultural soils and improving urban river systems. Site Wind Right advances renewable energy deployment without damaging sensitive ecosystems. Our science and our policy work must also address the threats of a changing climate and disruptive weather patterns. Recognition for Wind Siting Tool As we prepare this report of accomplishments in 2019, I’m confident our increasing investment in sustainable food production, restoring ground and surface waters, expanding renewable energy and connecting people to Two Nature Conservancy employees received Climate nature ensures that our impact is both local and global. Of course, we can also report significant advances in Adaptation Leadership Awards for Natural Resources protecting important, natural lands and waters and Kansas’ amazing wild beauty. from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The award recognizes exemplary leadership to reduce Thank you for your powerful support of The Nature Conservancy’s work in Kansas and around the world. impacts from climate change and advance adaptation of the nation’s vital natural resources and the many people CONTENTS who depend on them in a changing world. 2 Letter from State Director 8 Sustainable Farming 3 Letter from the Board Chair 9 Bison Herd Transitions Rob Manes Brian Obermeyer, director of protection and stewardship for Kansas, and Chris Hise, associate director of 3 Recognition for Wind Siting 10 Conserving Kansas Timeline The Site Wind Right planning tool identifies areas in 17 conservation in Oklahoma, were jointly recognized in the Tool 12 For the Birds Midwest states where wind development is unlikely to nongovernmental organization category for their work encounter significant wildlife-related impacts. Projects 4 Little Jerusalem Badlands 14 Places We Protect creating Site Wind Right. in low-impact places are also less likely to be delayed State Park 15 Partner Spotlight: or cancelled, resulting in more reliable and efficient renewable energy development. 6 Blue River Headwaters Ranchland Trust of Kansas “I’m honored that this science-based approach to steer 7 995 Acres Saved from 16 Our Donors wind energy away from ecologically important habitats Photo © Ted Wood Conversion 19 About Us and landscapes was recognized,” says Obermeyer.

2 3 LITTLE JERUSALEM BADLANDS STATE PARK View from trail overlook at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park © Mickey Shannon

The wait is finally over. The Nature Conservancy and Park in 2018. Together, the organizations developed management decisions will be made based on this Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism a trail system, parking and additional infrastructure data. (KDWPT) welcomed 600 people to the grand at the park. A long-term agreement allows KDWPT opening of Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park on to manage outdoor recreational activities in a manner “Little Jerusalem offers us a unique opportunity October 12, 2019. that protects the fragile rocks while The Nature for our students to understand visitor impacts Conservancy continues to own the land and manage on a place that virtually doesn’t have any to start The Nature Conservancy purchased the 332-acre the natural resources. with,” said Ryan Sharp, Associate Professor of area of dramatic chalk rock formations in western Park Management & Conservation at Kansas State Kansas in late 2016. Beyond the impressive “From the start, we’ve envisioned this property as University.

scenic views, the area serves as nesting habitat for a special kind of state park, where natural resource Fledgling ferruginous hawk in its nest at Little Jerusalem © Kristen Sikorsky ferruginous hawks and is home to rare plants. conservation is the highest priority,” agrees Linda Lanterman, KDWPT state parks director. “That “The Nature Conservancy’s chief purposes for Little means that public interaction with the landscape will VISIT LITTLE JERUSALEM Jerusalem are to, first, protect the pristine natural necessarily be limited to only activities that have the HOURS: sun up to sun down, daily features and, second, provide opportunities for people least impact. We’ve struck a great balance with the FEES: $5 daily vehicle permit, payable upon arrival (or free with Kansas state parks to enjoy the natural beauty of the area,” said Nature trails that allow visitors to experience a diversity of annual passport) Conservancy director Rob Manes. “Striking that views.” balance took time but it was the right thing to do.” WHAT TO DO: walk two permanent trails at your own pace; schedule a guided tour by calling 620-872-2061 The Nature Conservancy also partnered with Kansas The Nature Conservancy announced a partnership State University to develop a rigorous protocol LOCATION: north of the intersection of County Road 400 and Gold Road in with KDWPT to designate the area a Kansas State that measures the impacts of visitor use. Future southern Logan County, Kansas. It is best accessed by turning on Gold Road from US Highway 83. A Google Maps link is available at nature.org/littlejerusalem.

4 5 In the 1800s, settlers to Kansas discovered the underlying Protecting The Blue River limestone-shale bedrock that gives 995.5 ACRES Two-thirds of all water in the Kansas City metropolitan area drains into the Blue River. The Blue begins the Flint Hills region its name Saved from Conversion in Johnson County, Kansas and flows into Missouri. There it joins the Missouri River near Independence. also made plowing the soil to raise Increased development—everything from houses to parking lots to industrial sites—on the land around the crops impossible. Instead, the region river has hurt water quality and increased flooding downstream. developed as a national hub for raising and trading cattle which preserved the tallgrass prairie vegetation. Today, The Nature Conservancy has been protecting land around the Blue River’s headwaters with conservation modern agricultural machinery and other technological advances eliminate this natural protection and the easements since the 1990s but it was time to look closer. So The Nature Conservancy partnered with Kansas threats to this last large expanse of tallgrass prairie have increased. State University and Heartland Conservation Alliance to better understand the impacts of land development, conservation strategies and changes in climate within the Blue River watershed. K-State researchers Private landowners throughout the Flint Hills are choosing to protect their piece of the Flint Hills by granting developed a model to predict the impacts of different development scenarios and shifts in climate compared conservation easements to The Nature Conservancy and other land trusts. Each easement is tailored to the to conservation strategies that could be enacted. The results were clear: continued land protection around the property but all of them prevent conversion of the native prairie to cropland, river’s headwaters is one of the most important things The Nature Conservancy can do for the Blue. introduction of non-native plant species and changes to the topography. When grassland is

In early 2019, The Nature Conservancy closed on a 101-acre conservation easement in Johnson County, This year, The Nature Conservancy accepted a conservation easement on converted to cropland, protecting it from future development. And these acres weren’t selected at random—they are strategically 995.5 acres of tallgrass prairie in Butler County, saving it from a likely fate 28% of the carbon in located adjacent to other protected land, increasing a corridor of conservation in the highly-urbanized Kansas of being plowed under. It is located in the greater Flint Hills landscape City metropolitan area. of Kansas and Oklahoma, where 4 million acres of deep-rooted grasses the top meter of soil nurture some of the greatest biological diversity in the world. The extensive is released into the “We have an opportunity withthe Blue River to show that smart urban growth is not only possible, it is the documentation that The Nature Conservancy prepares for each easement atmosphere. economically responsible path,” says Dr. Heidi Mehl, director of water and agriculture programs for The shows the property contains a high diversity of plants, spring-fed streams Nature Conservancy. “By protecting headwaters and stream corridors, developers can be profitable while at and eight miles of flowing streams. the same time preventing costly flooding and water quality impacts downstream. There’s an opportunity for the Kansas City metro to place conservation at the forefront and become an example that other cities look to This conservation easement also ensures that the vast amounts of carbon currently stored underground by the for smart urban growth.” complex root systems of tallgrass prairie plants will remain locked away and out of the atmosphere.

Kenneth Baum granted a conservation easement on 101 acres of his land to protect the headwaters of the Blue River.

Sample image from the Blue River Watershed Modeling Report developed for The He is pictured with Kelly Blandford & Heidi Mehl of The Nature Conservancy.

Nature Conservancy. Conservancy Nature Matile/The © Paula ranch Butler county

6 7 Farming for a Sustainable Future Bison Herd Transitions Genetic research on unique Wind Cave bison population protects bison in Kansas

This year, The Nature Conservancy accepted conservation easements on two tracts of land protecting more Sixty-eight bison from Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota now have a home on the Kansas range at The than 300 acres in Rush County. Not the typical conservation easement on pristine native prairie, these protect Nature Conservancy’s Smoky Valley Ranch. The bison from Wind Cave are special—not only do those animals an innovative collection of restored grasslands interspersed with cropland. The landowners have transformed not have any cattle mixed in their family tree, but they also have unique bison genes that were nearly lost when the properties from heavily eroded, unsustainable cropland to a best-of-class demonstration of nearly every the bison population was decimated in the 1800s. More than a decade ago, The Nature Conservancy began cropland conservation practice possible. working with the National Park Service to safeguard this important genetic lineage. Because of its size, Wind Cave can only sustain a herd of about 400 bison but geneticists agree that at least 1,000 breeding animals is the “These properties show the viability and value of restoration and conservation practices in areas of smallest population size needed to stop the erosion in genetic diversity. conventionally managed agriculture,” says Dr. Heidi Mehl, director of water and agriculture programs for The Nature Conservancy. “They exemplify the many ways to create a sustainable food supply while reducing That’s where Nature Conservancy preserves enter the picture. “Satellite herds” have been created across the negative environmental impacts to soil, water and wildlife.” country, two in Kansas plus others in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota and Missouri. With more land for bison with these genetics, that goal of 1,000 can be met. And if ever a catastrophic event requiring the Wind The landowners prefer to remain anonymous but allow The Nature Conservancy to bring other farmers to visit Cave herd to be repopulated, animals from these conservation herds could be relocated back to the park. and learn ways they can make their operations more sustainable. At Smoky Valley Ranch, The Nature Conservancy is in the process of transitioning the entire bison herd to just This year, The Nature Conservancy also partnered with No-till On The Plains to offer soil-health workshops animals with Wind Cave genetics. After this year’s introduction of new bison, the transition is expected to be that bring together members of the agricultural community. At these field days, attendees learn practical complete in 2021. In addition to protecting these bison, The Nature Conservancy funds cutting-edge genetic techniques to build rich, fertile soils that grow robust crops while protecting water sources, storing carbon and research at Texas A&M University to determine if these satellite herds will show the same genetic diversity as creating fields that are more resilient to extreme weather events. the Wind Cave “mother herd” over time. The new genetic testing is still in development, but once it’s ready, it will compare bison from the satellite herds with 200-year-old samples from a time before bison were crossbred with cattle. Western Kansas farm © Sherwin Joseph Paguio/TNC Photo Contest 2019 Contest Photo © Sherwin Joseph Paguio/TNC Kansas farm Western & Game Department Fish Majure/Arizona bison © David Cave Wind

8 9 Conserving Kansas for More Than 30 Years

1965 1971 1989 1990

SANDSAGE PRAIRIE TNC’s first project in the state of KONZA PRAIRIE TNC established the Konza Prairie under KANSAS CHAPTER FORMED TNC hires Alan Pollom as CHEYENNE BOTTOMS TNC begins purchasing land to Kansas was purchasing 80 acres of sandsage prairie in a management agreement with Kansas State University’s Kansas director and establishes the Kansas office in Topeka. establish the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve. The central Harvey County. With no staff in Kansas, TNC transferred the division of biology. K-State continues to use the preserve as Kansas wetlands complex is vital habitat used by migrating property to Bethel College for scientific research. a site for long-term ecological research. shorebirds like the whooping crane.

1998 1999 2001 2003

ANDERSON COUNTY PRAIRIES TNC buys precious SMOKY VALLEY RANCH A decade after the Kansas chapter FLINT HILLS INITIATIVE TNC begins working with private RESTORING ICONIC SPECIES Bison are reintroduced to remaining fragments of tallgrass prairie east of the Flint is formed, TNC’s acquisition of the 16,800-acre Smoky landowners through the Flint Hills Initiative which is focused Smoky Valley Ranch, returning the iconic native grazer to the Hills. The area is known to have the largest population of the Valley Ranch in western Kansas becomes the largest-ever on saving the last large expanse of tallgrass prairie in the land for the first time in more than 100 years. endangered Mead’s milkweed plant. land purchase for conservation purposes. world.

2004 2011 2015 2019

TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL PRESERVE TNC RED HILLS INITIATIVE TNC helps landowners fight the HEALTHY STREAMS FOR KANSAS A study shows nearly LITTLE JERUSALEM Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park purchases the 11,000-acre preserve, saving it from the “green glacier” of invasive cedar trees and improve the 3/4 of Kansas streams are unsuitable for human use. TNC opens. The largest Niobrara chalk rock formation in the looming fate of being divided. It remains the National Park condition of rangelands in the vast, rugged region of south- creates the David T. Beals III Healthy Streams for Kansas state is owned by TNC and public access is managed by the Service’s only property dedicated to tallgrass prairie. central Kansas known as the Red Hills or Gypsum Hills. Initiative to recover streams and improve water quality. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism.

10 11 For the birds...... during their journey.

In October, Dr. Robert Penner presented at the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Conference in Panama. Penner, who manages Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve in addition to overseeing The Nature Conservancy’s avian programs across Kansas, is a member of the steering committee that is developing a cross-continent conservation plan for shorebirds.

Many species of shorebirds migrate each spring from South America to the Arctic Circle to breed and raise their young before making the grueling 7,000 to 8,000- mile return trip. And, each year, they often contend with diminishing wetlands and invasive plants and animals, as well as changes to the way land is used by humans. Cheyenne Bottoms, in central Kansas, is one of the key stopover sites on both the northern and southern routes.

“We are just a very important link in the chain of wetlands,” says Penner. “A lot Upland sandpiper © Greg Kramos/USFWS more work needs to be done, and I am looking forward to representing the Great Plains as we work on this international initiative. Robert Penner © Nick Krug ...in the record books. Hudsonian godwit drawing © Robert Penner

You might not think of the banded at Eureka Lake in Riley “When most people think of Flint Hills when someone says County, Kansas, in 2006 by Brett shorebird habitat, they picture “shorebirds,” but the tallgrass Sandercock from Kansas State mud flats and the water’s ...on the brink. prairie of the famed hills is University. At that time, it was edge,” says Penner. “But some critically important habitat for too young to fly. Last June, Greg shorebird species are highly many shorebird species during Kramos from the U.S. Fish & dependent on grasslands Aerial surveys suggest that encourage nesting and brooding their annual migrations. Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish like the Flint Hills.” anywhere from 1/2 to 2/3 of all habitat. and Wildlife program spotted it prairie-chickens in the world are A few years ago, The Nature again at the lake. He then spent 45 They rely on the grassland now found in western Kansas, In an effort to increase landowner Conservancy’s Kansas avian minutes photographing the bird to habitat remaining intact and between the Arkansas River and ranching community programs manager, Dr. Robert verify the numbers on its legband. healthy, and that’s the focus of and the northern reaches of the appreciation for lesser prairie- Penner, led the effort to document The Nature Conservancy’s Flint Smoky Hill River. This relatively chickens, The Nature Conservancy shorebirds in the Flint Hills. At exactly 13 years and 1 month, Hills Initiative, a two-decades-old small area is also home to The partnered with the Wild West His records led the Western it is now the oldest upland conservation effort to maintain Nature Conservancy’s Smoky Historical Foundation to offer Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve sandpiper on record. While the unfragmented nature of this Valley Ranch. Last spring, there lesser prairie-chicken viewing Network to designate the Flint Kramos documented it near the landscape, and to keep the prairie were approximately 192 prairie- trips. Between late March and Hills a Landscape of Hemispheric original banding location, in the healthy and free of invasive trees chickens on the ranch. early May, 369 people visited Importance. More than 134,800 intervening thirteen years, this bird and weeds. Kansas for the once-in-a-lifetime shorebirds travel through the Flint has likely migrated the equivalent Smoky Valley Ranch is a critical, opportunity to watch the birds Hills each year. of five trips around the globe. The rare venue for one of the most dance their mating ritual. previous longevity record for an important strategies for protecting That brings us to the picture upland sandpiper was 8 years, 11 lesser-prairie chicken: using Tours will be offered again in 2020. above. This upland sandpiper was months. grassland grazing techniques that Lesser prairie-chickens © Jim Richardson prairie-chickens Lesser

12 13 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

PLACES WE The Smoky Hills of central Kansas are a region of transition, where mixed-grass PROTECT IN prairie blends into the tallgrass prairie of the east and the shortgrass prairie of the 141,021 602 west. The Smoky Hill Trail brought prospectors and settlers across Kansas from Atchison into Colorado in the mid-1850s. KANSAS: acres permanently conserved stream miles protected 10 These grasslands have been significantly impacted by wind energy development years of partnership and conversion to cropland. Despite this, it remains a large and important native landscape, where intact and healthy plant communities provide habitat for some of the state’s most vigorous greater prairie chicken populations. Other grassland birds SMOKY VALLEY RANCH TALLGRASS PRAIRIE KONZA BIOLOGICAL like upland sandpiper and bobwhite quail are also found in the Smoky Hills. & LITTLE JERUSALEM NATIONAL PRESERVE RESEARCH STATION Vast shortgrass prairie marked The country’s only national Hosts decades of research on Ten years ago, The Nature Conservancy partnered with the Ranchland Trust 18 by chalk badlands that contain park dedicated to tallgrass the tallgrass prairie ecosystem of Kansas (RTK) to protect 13,000 acres of grassland habitat in the Smoky fossil records 85 million years prairie, privately owned by while welcoming visitors to the easements old. The Nature Conservancy. beauty of the Flint Hills. Hills through the purchase of perpetual conservation easements. Through the agreement, RTK also works on habitat improvement and monitors grassland bird populations. The Nature Conservancy provides scientific and financial assistance while RTK holds the easements. “I’m pleased to report that RTK has exceeded the original goal of 13,100 acres 13k+ permanently protected in the Smoky Hills,” says Rob Manes, director of The acres conserved Nature Conservancy. “This partnership exemplifies how two organizations can accomplish more together than they would working separately.”

FLINT HILLS

CHEYENNE KANSAS RIVER ANDERSON COUNTY RED HILLS Finding sustainable Pristine streams and BOTTOMS PRAIRIES Up to 1/4 million waterfowl solutions to improve Habitat for a rare millions of bats course and tens of thousands of the health of a river that population of the through the rolling mixed- shorebirds stop to rest provides water to 800,000 endangered plant, Mead’s grass prairie. during seasonal migrations. people. milkweed. Smoky Hills © Harold E. Malde Hills © Harold Smoky

14 15 The Nature Conservancy’s accomplishments are made possible by Kent & Susan Garlinghouse • Dan Hopkins • Jeff Horlacher • Glenn Kramar • Stan Krehbiel • Toni the many individuals, organizations, businesses and foundations that Gay • General Electric Foundation & Sandra Horton-Smith • KC & Kreitz • Pamela K. Kroll • Miriam THANK YOU make financial contributions to our conservation programs. Matching Gift Program • Judith Amanda Hosey • Robert D. Hovey • S. Krum • Sara L. Kurtz • David & Thomas Geraghty • Dave Carol D. Howard • John C. Howard & Carol Kyner • Karen S. Laduex Every gift plays a crucial role in our work. In addition to acres and stream miles protected, your donation supports Gestenslager & Diane Gestenslager • Carol Howe • James & Cathy • Lori Lampe • Jacqueline M. many other elements of conservation work, such as science, research, policy and educational internships. We are • Linda R. Gibson • Darryl Gleason Hoy • William T. Hughes • Duane Landahl • Kelly A. Landes • Daniel honored to recognize the following donors who made contributions of $150 or more from July 1, 2018 through • Global Impact • Joyce Goad • & Martha Huizenga • Katherine & Jaime Lane • Judy K. Langley June 30, 2019. Everyone listed here has ties to Kansas. Some live here, others live elsewhere and prefer their gifts Chester A. Godsy • Goldberg Family R. Hummels • William Humphrey • Asher & Audrey Langworthy • Foundation • Dean & Lesa Goodell • Helen C. Hurley • Shirley Hurt James & Helen Laning • Larson be used for projects in Kansas and, in some cases, these Kansans supported Conservancy projects in other parts of • Tom Grace • Faye Graff • Rosetta • Mark Hutchins • Russell Icke Engineering, Inc. • Carol & Thomas the world. We deeply appreciate every gift and regret that space constraints prevent us from listing all donors. Graff • David F. Graham • Donnis • Innovative Livestock Services Larson • Cynthia J. Lash • Lattner Graham • Jeri L. Graham • Louise • Barbara J. Isaacson • Ruth N. Family Foundation • Steve Lauer Peggy A. Abbey • Grace Adams • Blandford • Bill & Anne Blessing • McIlwaine Foundation • Craig S. Dodds & Dolly Gudder • David & Lynn Graham • Mariann K. Graham • Isenberg • John & Sharon Iverson • Benjamin H. Leader • Michael Christopher D. Ahrens • Kathy Albers John L. Blocher • Robert A. Boewe • Christenson • Jeff B. Christian • Chubb Dolinar • Douglas County Community Dolores Granger • Frederick J. • J. R. & M. J. Wilson Foundation Leahy & Brigid O’Hara • John C. • Theresa M. Albrecht • Jennifer J. Stephan R. Bollman • Laurie Bomba & Charitable Foundation • Beth E. Cigler Foundation • Nick & Lynn Douthat and Graus • Maria Graves • Nancy • Alison & Eric Jager • Rebecca K. Leatherman • Justin Leck • James Alderson • Marcia Allen & Horace Andy Fromm • Richard & Susan Bond • • Gwendolyn Y. Claassen • Evelyn M. RLS Illumination Fund • Jerry Downs A. Gray • Greater Kansas City Jahelka • Tanya Jantz • Kenneth E. 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Crichton-Reed • Christine M. Croy • John Farrell • Sharon & Alan Fearey Hanzelka • Debra S. Harber-Dennis Associated Garden Clubs, Inc. • • Edward Martinko & Nancy Hale • Bartel • Barton P. & Mary D. Cohen N. Burroughs • Linda D. Burton • • Dorothy E. Crum • Christopher & • Andrew Feldstein • Jami L. Felver • Brian Harlow • Duane K. Harms Kelly Kaplan • Carol Karlin • Ellen Janet E. Marts • Mary Jo Williams Charitable Trust • G. Kenneth & Ann William & Anna Busby • Charles Anne Culbertson • John Culbertson • Bruce G. Ferris • Robert A. Fiala • • Richard J. Harris • Kelly & Tanja Karp • Elisabeth Kasckow • Sheri Charitable Trust • James Mason & Baum • Jonathan & Sarah Baum • Bussing • Donna L. Butler • Matthew • Donna L. Cummings • Jeff Curtis • Fidelity Charitable • Dana D. Field • Harrison • Tracy J. Harrison • Robyn Kaufman • Susan M. Keil • Keith Helen Ehlers • Lorraine K. Mason Doug & Suzanne Baur • Michael J. Buxton • Richard Calcara • Dennis & Sandra L. Daigneaux • Dane G. 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Foret • Connie Healy • Susan G. Healzer • • Joan Kenny • Sharon L. Kessinger McCallum • Mary F. McCormick • Becker • Donald M. Beets • David & • James D. Cannon • Mark Cantrell • Elizabeth Davidson • Allyson A. Davis Jill M. Forrest • William & Constance Allan J. Helsel • Dianne M. Hemry • • Susan A. Kice • Karen Lee Killough Sondra J. McCoy • G. W. McDonald Lydia Bell • Donna & Jack Bender • Louis & Harriet Caplan • Jack L. Capps • Bill D. Davis • Evelyn L. Davis • Faye Fortenbaugh • Ken & Sheila Frahm • Loring R. Henderson • Rosemary L. • James E. Kilmer • Chandler Kime • Carol McDowell & John Ken & Joyce Benedick • Marc & Lynne • Sam C. Cargnel • Joseph & Rebecca Davis • Kevin R. Davis • Robert & Sarah L. Frank • Hank & Paula Frankel Henderson • Staci D. Hendrickson • Douglas K. King • Royce M. King Bottenberg • William R. McKeighan Benioff • Kenneth Bennett • Roberta Carle • Carol A. Carley • Caroline Peine Janet Davis • Steve & Connie Davis • • Karen Franklin • Collin Freeman • • David W. Henry • Mario R. • Kingsbury Family Foundation • Craig & Terri McManus • Karen Bennett • David R. Benson • David M. Charitable Foundation/The Manhattan Craig A. Dawson • Marshall & Jill Dean Dianne L. Freyermuth • Charles & Heydecker • Harvey & Alison • Hannah A. Kinmonth-Schultz • L. McNerney • Mary L. McNiel Bergeron • James & Connie Berggren Fund - Bank of America, NA, Trustee • • George Devins Jr. • Robert & Julie Diane Frickey • Matthew Fuller • Hiebert • Gloria A. Hiller • Dick & Ingrid M. Kircher Nietfeld • Michael • Larry J. McPherson • Gordon • Bradley & Elizabeth Bergman • Amy Carolyn S. Kruse Foundation • Dan E. DeYoung • David C. Dickeson • Mary William M. Fuller • Dolores Furtado • Sue Himes • Rick & Mary Hines • & Julie Kirk • David E. Kirsch • Mcwilliams • Nancy McWilliams Berkley Hemmer • Fred & Suzanne Carpenter • Stephen L. Carter • Paulyn Ann A. Dietrich in memory of Charles Donald Fusco • Nancy C. Fyffe • Roland Hirsch • William & Irma Lou Darrel Kleeman • Allison Klinock • Beverly F. Meadows • Robin Berry • Nick & Denise Bertram • Jackie Cartwright • Pat Casey • Central C. Dietrich • Edward W. Dillingham • Hirsch • Anita G. Hoeme • James • Bethany & David Klug • Michael C. Merritt • Deborah A. Milks • Beucher • Andrew M. Bickett • Megan Kansas Community Foundation • Mark David & Dee Dillon • Mary M. Dillon Legacy Club Members & Lisa Hoffman • Bruce Hogle • Knepper & Cheryle Micinski • Miller Hammond Charitable Fund • Biladeau • Deborah Bingham • Scott & & Laura Chall • Ron Chamberlain • & John S. Hafker • Ruth & Paul Dillon Names in blue have made a lasting James Hohenbary • C. Sterling James Knittel • John & Sharon Cathleen Miller • Dusty L. Miller • Jennifer Bingham • Black Hills Energy Glen Chambers • Paula Champion • Chris M. Dinitto • Chris Dischler • commitment by naming The Nature Holman • Kathy L. Holmes • Koepke • Vicki S. Kofender • Pat G. R. Miller • Jim & Bonnie Miller • • Tony Blackburn • Nathan Burrell • Lynann Chance & John Haase • Karen L. Divelbiss • John & Deborah Conservancy in their will or making a Virginia M. Holzle • David H. Homer Konold • Allen & Elizabeth Kossoy John & Ellen Miller • life-income gift. & Kelly Blandford • Tom & Helen Pris Chansky • Charles & Joanne Divine • Jennifer L. Dixon • Walter K. • Richard & Doris Hoopes • Jan • Ian Kovach • Tad & Margaret (continued on page 18)

16 17 Stanley & Teresa Rasmussen • Sullivan Sheverbush • Thomas M. Shields • Douglas Van Auken • Lynn & Marjorie THANK YOU continued John & Rachel Miller • Karl W. Miller • Read & Maureen Scribner-Read • Allan A. Shoup • Elisabeth & Steve Van Buren • Alice & Gayle Vernon • Laura Miller • Mark D. Miller • Mark Jeanne G. Redick • Patty & Jerry Reece Shouse • Lebert D. Shultz • Jack Sills • Regis L. Vialle • Eric Vidoni • Julia Vieg The Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees Miller & Julie Sager Miller • Susan Y. • Reed Jules Oppenheimer Foundation Danny A. Simon • Fred & Sharon • Joanne & David Vodonick • Terry & Millstein • Teresa Minton • Joyce A. • Amy J. Reed & Family • Catherine C. Simpson • Robert B. Simpson • Terry A. Brenda Volz • Annette Voth & Daryl G. Kenneth Baum Stilwell Mitchell • John & Karen Mize • William Reed • Jerry D. Rees • John C. Reese • Sinclair • Ron & Janine Sisk • Anna Regier • Eric A. Voth • Michelle Wade • in Kansas Chair, Fund Development Committee Montgomery • Darrell & Patricia Royce Guhr & Marge Reeves-Guhr • Slemmer • Timothy R. Sloan • David Jennifer Wagner • Jeffrey A. Wald • Bradley A. Bergman Overland Park Moore • John L. Moore • Lanora G. Camille & Gerald Reid • Susan Reimer and Joanna Slusky • Barrie Smith • Jim John & Debby Walker • Michael E. CONTACT US 785-233-4400 Trustee Legacy Ambassador Moore • Arthur R. Morford • Kevin & • Cathy A. Reinhardt • Richard S. Smith • Robert J. Smith • Thomas B. Walters • Susan Warden • Mike Waring The Nature Conservancy [email protected] Bill Blessing Leawood Carol Morgan • Mary L. Morgan • Rempel • Ron & Roberta Renz • Linda Smith • Pandora Smith-Singer • Brad & • Ann E. Warner • Steven Warren & Eva 2420 NW Button Road nature.org/kansas J. Reppell • Jill I. Reynolds • Roger & Dena Sneed • Donald D. Snethen • Horn • Michael P. Washburn • Betty A. Topeka, KS 66618 Shanny & Eric Morgenstern • Kerry @TNCKansas William F. Bradley, Jr. Overland Park Lin Rhoades • Dallas & Sharon Richards Betsey & Frederick Solberg • Lowell E. Waters • Donald K. Watkins • Marlene Chair, Board of Trustees & External Morris • Lee Morris • William Morris & @nature_kansas • Kathryn E. Y. Richardson • Kathryn Solien • Jane & John Sommers • M. Watson • William & Mary Watson • Relations Committee Gail Williams • Mosby Lincoln @nature_kansas Richardson & Bruce North • Tom Sosland Foundation • Mary Lou Soule • Robert F. Weaver • Jeni & Eric Webb • Foundation • Courtney Muehe • Dan & Kelly Callen Wichita Terry Mulhern • Carol F. Mundy • Phil & Richardson & Phoebe Orr-Richardson • Keith A. Springer • Stan Spurrier • John David J. Weeks • George E. Weeks • Cherri Murray • Joyce A. Murrell • Deb William & Linda Richter • Joy K. Ricke • C. Squier • Kristie K. Stafford • Eric A. Wegner Family Foundation • Pat. V. Our Staff David Dillon Mission Hills Myers • National Christian Foundation Deborah Rieb • Bill & Erma Riley • The Stahl • Joan & Stan Stallbaumer • Wegner • Audrey V. Wegst • John TOPEKA KANSAS CITY Gordon W. Elliott Pittsburg • Dan A. Neely • Greg & Debra Nelson Family of Martha E. Killian • Kristin W. Jeanette L. Stamm • Noel & Marie Weibel • Nestor Weigand • Connie Rob Manes Kelly Blandford Kelly Harrison Lawrence • Randy & Julie Newcomer • Jennifer Riott • Scott & Carol Ritchie • Bonnie Stanton • John Staples • McDowell Weldon • Ruth Welti • Terri Wendlandt Kansas State Director Associate Director of Philanthropy K. Roark • Michael & Carol Robbinson • Steele • Peggy Steffel • Betty C. • W. Alan & Jan Wentz • Steve & Chair, Climate & Energy Committee Newell • Brigine Newman • Virginia A. PRATT Anice Robel • Richard & Gail Roberson Sterling • Dan A. Stickel • Robert J. Randee Werts • Westar Energy • Natalie Busby Nichols • Kenneth & Gayle Nicolay • Operations Manager Ken Brunson Richard L. Hines Erie • Michael Roberts • Christine M. Stilley • James Stone • Mikel L. Stout • Thomas J. Westerman • Phyllis G. Sara & Mike Niemann • Arthur G. Red Hills Project Coordinator Chair, Governance Committee Robertsen • Ruth Rodden • Darrel J. Glen R. Stramel • Erin Strathe • John & Westover • Tyler Weyrich • Marcie K. John Cougher Nonhof • Gary Northwall • Omar C. Stacy Hoeme Scott City Norton • Edith Nye • Judy D. Nystrom • Rodecap • Julie & Len Rodman • Joan Strickler • Eric & Ruth Stromberg Whinery • Allison W. White • Jeff T. Director of Philanthropy SMOKY VALLEY RANCH Harold & Kathy Roesler • Nancy C. • Bill & Bo Stueck and Stueck Family White • Donald O. Whittemore • Matt Bain Manhattan Berl & Christine Oakley • Sara & Dave Nora Cox Mary Ice Rogers • Semie Rogers • Jeffrey L. Foundation • Brian W. Sturm • Roberta Jimmy & Susan Wickiser • Verna J. Western Kansas Conservation Manager O’Connell • James O’Connor • Matthew Philanthropy Operations Manager Brian Illig Leawood L. Odegaard • Ed L. Odell • Pamela S. Roitman • Steven & Carolyn Romondo J. Suenram • Lawrence P. Sullivan • Wilcox • Mike & Linda Wildgen • John Justin Roemer Heidi Mehl Meleda Wegner Lowry Chicago, IL Oehme • Becky O’Hearn • Carol • Barbara K. Roos • Nathan E. Root • Eliza K. Sundahl • Sunderland & Michele Wilinski • Bruce & Jonny Conservation Steward Ohmart • William Old • Edwin Olson • Gina Rose • Fern K. Rosenberg • Foundation • Stephen & Jacque Wilkens • Karen Willey & Scott Eudaly Director of Water & Agriculture William M. Lyons Mission Hills WICHITA Hugh L. O’Neill • James L. Orange • Penney Rosendale • John H. Ross III • Sundgren • Bill Sutton • Michelle E. • William T. Kemper Foundation • R. Laura Rose Clawson Vice Chair, Board of Trustees Wendy Ornelas-Condia • Lois Norman & Laurie Rue • Virginia M. Swain • Ellen E. Sward • Becky L. Swart Williams • Nicholas A. Willis • Annie B. Steve Schaumburg Director of Marketing & Outreach Barry Mayhew Mission Hills Orth-Lopes & Steve Lopes • John M. Ruedebusch • Leland Russell • Rebecca • Daniel & Katherine Swenson • Susan Wilson • Lauren J. Wilson • Phillip G. Associate Director of Philanthropy Ruth Sawin Oswald • Carol E. Oukrop • Nitin V. Pai Rutledge • Lesa & John Sailor • Karen Symons • Deana & Gordon Talbert • Wilson • Sandra C. Wilson • Vonda REMOTE Patty Reece Mission Hills Executive Assistant • William H. Pallett • Fred Palmer • L. Salyers • Jerry San Diego • Chris George & Patricia Taplin • Brooke L. Wilson • John & Sue Wine • Greg & Ralph Jones Co-chair, Trustees Without Borders David P. Parker • Patricia L. Parks • Sanders • Stephen J. Sanders • Art & Taylor • James & Betty Taylor • Kelly L. Dina Wingfield • Martin A. Winkler • Susan Smith IT Manager, Kansas & Nebraska Committee & Global Ambassador Carolyn Sandquist • Robert & Alanes Taylor-Bhagat • Gary E. Tegtmeier • Thomas W. Wojtech • Donald Wood • Parmelee Foundation • Larry Parsons • Operations Coordinator Charles W. Rice Manhattan Sawin • Ruth Sawin • Susan Sawyer • Jon & Joan Thayer • James D. Thilking • Gary C. Wood • Hoyt H. Wood Jr. • Laura Norian Matthew Patterson • Francis & Francis Jenny Trucano Muller John L. Sayler • Leo & Joy Schell • Allen Thoeni • Victoria Thomas & Susan Wood Athens • Thomas & Sally Grants Specialist, Kansas & Iowa William M. Riley, Jr. Manhattan Pease • Ernest & Barbara Peck • Director of Finance & Operations Michael M. Peleg • Lori B. Pendergast • Cynthia & Robert Schendel • Matt A. Roger Lambson • Charlie & Cheryl Wood Family Foundation - UMB Bank, Julie Wasser Co-chair, Trustees Without Borders Keith Penner • Christina Perrin • Joan Scherer III • Brenda K. Schewe • Eldon Thomas • Giles Thompson • Peter & n.a., Trustee • Claiborn Woodbury CHEYENNE BOTTOMS Conservation Specialist Committee & Member, Argentina & Karen Schierling • Bob & Su Jo Ann Thompson • Jamie T. Thornton • Charitable Fund • Valerie Wright & Robert Penner Advisory Council G. Peschka • Mary Peters • Scott M. SUMMER INTERNS Schifferdecker • Gene &. Beatrice Kathryn Threatt • Benjamin & Marilyn Simon Malo • William & Judith Wynne Cheyenne Bottoms & Avian Manager Petersen • James Pfister • George D. Chandler Foresman Scott Ritchie Wichita Phillips • Mary Lynn Phillips • William Schillie • Larry M. Schlosser • Kathy Tilghman • Dorothy R. Tillman • Pierre • Sarah Wyrick • Judith B. Yale • Rick Keith Reif Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve R. Douglas Sebelius Norton G. Phillips • John C. & Ardith Pierce • Schlotterbeck • Mary E. Schmidt • & Linda Tisdale • Christopher M. Yarnell • Lauren R. Yoshinobu • Nancy Land Steward Piersol Foundation, Inc. • Jack & Susan Sondra L. Schmittgens • Diana K. Toomajian • James & Catherine Y. Yost • Marilyn J. Youll • Carolyn B. Elsi Miller Elizabeth T. Solberg Kansas City Pierson Trust • David W. Pigg • Schnapp • Mark Schonwetter • Richard Toomey • Topeka Community Young • Clint Young • Roger & Dorothy FLINT HILLS Cheyenne Bottoms | Lance Hedges John K. Strickler Manhattan Charlotte & Allen Pinkall • Alfred & Patricia Schroder • Schwab Foundation • Mary A. Torrence • Zellers • Dan Zimmerman • Robert E. & Paula Matile Conservation Award Recipient Charitable Fund • Georgina Schwartz • Stephen Tramel • Patrick & Theresa Polly A. Zimmerman Foundation Protection & Stewardship Specialist Pitzner • Deb Y. Plopa • Susan E. Connor Champney William Stueck Stilwell Roni Schwartz • Scott Community Trapp • Laura E. Treml • David & Rita Pommerenke • Chuck Pontius • Darin McCullough Smoky Valley Ranch Dale Trott Lenexa Foundation • David Scott • Roberta G. Tripp • Dale & Vickie Trott • Don & Barbara K. Poresky • Joan Porsch • Conservation Assistant Chair, Water & Agriculture Committee Robert D. Porter • Tom E. Pott • Eric M. Scritchfield • Roger & Lanette Scurlock Mary Troyer • Stephanie Turner & Brian Obermeyer Potter • Dennis L. Powell • Diane K. • Richard H. Seaton • Doug & Nancy Randall Fleming • Austin H. Turney • Stephanie Turner Oakland, CA Director of Protection & Stewardship Prellwitz • Craig M. Preuss • Kathryn B. Sebelius • William Sells • Holly C. Serk Roy & Carolyn Turney • Elizabeth & Chair, Protection & Stewardship Pruessner • Warren Quillin • Quinn • Janelle Sexter • Stuart & Diane Sharp George Ulbrick • Mitchell L. Ulrich • Committee Foundation • Lillian M. Quiring • R.C. • Anne Shaw • Bradley A. Shaw • Lila I. UMB Financial Matching Gift Fund • We make every effort to ensure that our PHOTO CREDITS—Front cover: Konza Biological Research Station © Chris Helzer/The Nature Conservancy; Tyler Woolfolk Protection Kemper Charitable Trust - UMB Bank, Shea • Douglas D. Sheafor • Jill Shelley Tom H. Underwood • Joseph K. Unekis donor list is correct, but occasionally errors Back cover: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park © Bruce Hogle; Page 2: Rob Manes © Nick Krug; Page 3: Brad Bradley occur. If we have inadvertently left off your courtesy himself; Page 10: Sand sage prairie © Jim Griggs; Black-footed ferret ©Bob Gress; Konza sign, Mead’s Roger Zellers Wichita n.a., Trustee • R. M. Railsback • & David Baldwin • John & Mary • United States National Park name, please accept our apologies and milkweed, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve sign and Red Hills © Laura Rose Clawson/The Nature Conservancy; Page Bartlett Ramsey • Gloria Juhl Raney & Shellito • Xinglei Shen • Richard & Foundation • P. A. Urban • Dennis A. inform us of the mistake by calling our 11: Alan Pollom © The Nature Conservancy; Cheyenne Bottoms © Beau Rapelye; Flint Hills rancher © Ryan Donnell; Nancy Shermoen • Robert & Joan Vahsholtz • Thomas A. Valentine • philanthropy staff at Bison © National Park Service; Wakarusa river © Heidi Mehl/The Nature Conservancy; Little Jerusalem overlook © Doug Denning • Phyllis Ranum • (785) 233-4400. Brian G. Schoenfish; Page 17: Volunteer photos © Laura Rose Clawson & Ruth Sawin/The Nature Conservancy

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