Kansas Wetlands Education Center

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Kansas Wetlands Education Center Alert

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – a rapidly spreading viral disease that can infect birds – has been detected in Kansas. If you encounter a sick, injured or abandoned bird, please contact your local KDWP office first to discuss the safest option(s) prior to handling the bird. For details, visit https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-animal-health/animal-diseases/avian-influenza

A flock of white pelicans spiral upward, waves of geese talk to each other as they pass overhead, a red-tail hawk dives after prey – all possible scenes visitors to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center may encounter on a typical day. Located on the southeast corner of the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area in Barton County, the KWEC opened in late April 2009, with the mission of providing a better understanding of wetland communities and their importance through interpretive exhibits, educational programs and research.

Operated by Fort Hays State University as an annex of Sternberg Museum on KDWP land, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center includes a 2,000 sq. ft. exhibit gallery, classroom, auditorium and gift store. A handicapped-accessible ½-mile nature trail encompasses three ecosystems –grassland, marsh and wooded area. A vast expanse of windows allow visitors to comfortably view wildlife at the wetland area behind KWEC.

From a spiny soft-shell turtle to grasshopper mice, visitors can view some of the lesser known inhabitants of Cheyenne Bottoms in the KWEC classroom. Children can discover the feel of animal furs, snake skins and feathers, match animals to their tracks and make their own track stencil or rubbing.

building front

Combine a visit to the Center with a drive through the 19,857-acre Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and The Nature Conservancy’s 7,600-acre reserve. The largest interior wetland in the United States, Cheyenne Bottoms is one of only 22 U.S. Wetlands of International Importance, where more than 330 bird species have been observed. Depending on the season, you may sight a family of one of the rarest birds in North America – whooping cranes – or bald eagles standing on the frozen waters of the Bottoms.

Phone:
Address:
592 NE K-156 Highway
Great Bend,KS    67530
County/Counties:
Office Hours:
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Closed Monday

Admission is free!

Call 620-566-1456 or 1-877-243-9268

Website: wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu

Contacts:

KWEC News - Updated: 03/08/2010
General Information
Phone:
Address:
592 NE K-156 Highway
 
Great Bend, KS    67530
County/Counties:
Office Hours:
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Closed Monday

Map

Driving Directions: The Kansas Wetlands Education Center is located at 592 NE K-156 Highway at the southeast side of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.

 GPS: N 38.44076, W 98.62969

 From US-56 east bound, travel 3.5 miles East of Great Bend, KS on US-56. Then, travel northeast 6.5 miles on K-156 Highway to the KWEC.

 From US-56 westbound, travel 7 miles West of Ellinwood, KS on US-56. Then, travel northeast 6.5 miles on K-156 Highway to the KWEC.

 From I-70 west bound, take exit 225 and follow K-156 southwest approximately 40 miles to the KWEC.

 From I-70 east bound, take exit 184 and follow US-281 south approximatley 23 miles South to K-4 Highway, go east on K-4 through Hoisington, KS, 15 miles to NE 100 Ave. Go South 4 miles to K-156. Go 3 miles southwest on K-156 to the KWEC. (Follow the road signs for the Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway from Hoisington, KS.)

 

Admission is free!

Call 620-566-1456 or 1-877-243-9268

Website: wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu

Contacts:


Calendar

    Contact Manager

    Manager: Curtis Wolf

    Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Closed Monday

    Admission is free! 

    Phone: 620-786-7456 or 1-877-243-9268

    592 NE K-156 Highway, Great Bend, KS 67530

    Contact KDWP Educator

    KDWP Educator: Pam Martin

    Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Closed Monday

    Admission is free!

    Phone: 620-786-7456 or 1-877-243-9268

    592 NE K-156 Highway, Great Bend, KS 67530

    School Programs

    Science- and Nature-based School Programs

    The Kansas Wetlands Education Center offers several science- and nature-based school programs as field trips or outreach in your school classroom or facility.

    scavenger hunt

    Programs for kindergarten students are generally 30 minutes long, with all other programs 45 minutes to one hour, depending upon student age and class needs. Programs are provided free of charge and feature live animals and plants, where possible, and/or hands-on materials and activities. Programs combining nature hikes with classroom time may be 1 ½ hours long.

    There will be a charge for programs scheduled with less than two weeks notice and a mileage fee may be charged for those schools located over 75 miles away from KWEC.

    At the end of each program description is a list of state science standards met for each age group. Some programs are more suited to younger students and others to older children but can be adjusted. Please refer to the science standards for age appropriateness.

    If you don’t see a program topic you are interested in, please contact us, modifications can be made to existing programs or new programs developed to meet curriculum needs.

    The maximum number for classes is 30 students but larger groups can be accommodated by rotating students among several programs/activities. For hikes, 25 or less students are preferred.

    To schedule a program, or for more information, please call KWEC at 620-786-7456, Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and ask for Pam Martin, or use the email form. Please try and call at least two weeks before your desired program date.

    A Butterfly’s Journal

    Focusing on the Monarch butterfly, students will learn the butterfly’s life cycle, biology and behaviors, and follow the Monarch’s fantastic journey to Mexico and back north in the spring. Information on tagging of the butterflies will also be included. Program may be conducted as a field trip to KWEC, with students going forth to capture and tag Monarchs, or in the classroom with a tagging demonstration. Tagging portion of the program is limited to the months of August, September and possibly early October.

    Meets science standards: Grades K-2 – 1.1.1, 1.1.3, 3.1.1-2, 3.1.4,5.1.2; Grades 3-4 – 3.1.1-3,3.2.1,5.2.4, 7.1.1; Grades 5-6 – 3.3.1-2, 3.5.2-3,6.2.1

    Cheyenne Bottoms’ Spring Chorus

    In addition to learning the frog and toad life cycle, students will learn how, why and where frogs and toads call. Power point presentation provides actual calls and hands-on activities are used to replicate calls. Students discuss habitat stresses due to human influence. Live animal representatives used if available.

    Meets science standards: Grades K-2 – 1.1.1, 1.1.3, 3.1.1-2, 3.1.4; Grades 3-4 – 2.3.1-3, 3.3.1, 3.2.1, 6.2.1; Grades 5-6 – 3.2.1, 3.3.1-2, 3.5.1-3

    Birds: Nature’s Marvelous Flying Machines

    This program may be presented in two ways – an overview of bird adaptations or broken down into detailed information about each adaptation. (For grades 3-6)

    “Create a bird” - Allows students the opportunity to make their own bird and describe its special features, after discussing bird adaptations.

    Individual adaptation programs:

    Thurston

    "The Case of the Hungry Owl"Students put their detective skills to work and solve the mystery of what creatures the Cheyenne Bottoms barn owls are capturing and eating. Participants will dissect barn owl pellets, meet one of the culprits and identify victims.

    “Flight” – Students observe parts of the feather, different types of feathers and how birds stay in the air. Hands-on activities to understand flight, including making an eagle airplane.

    “Bills and Feet” – After learning how birds’ beaks and feet come in all sizes and shapes, and how each is matched to the food the bird eats, students will participate in an activity matching “tools” to beaks. This program can also be matched with a nature hike to observe birds in different habitats.

    “Have Wings, Will Travel” – Many birds migrate to breeding grounds in the spring and to warmer climates in the fall. Students will investigate why birds migrate and the mechanisms at work.

    “Home Life” – Birds make many different types of nests in many different ways. Children will explore courting, nest building and brooding behaviors and differences in eggs.

    Meets science standards: Grades 3-4 – 1.1.1, 1.1.3-4, 3.1.1-3, 3.2.1; Grades 5-6 – 3.2.1-3, 3.3.1-2, 3.5.1-3

    Making Tracks – Identify animals by the tracks they make in earth and snow; includes a track activity and making a plaster track cast for the classroom. This program could also be combined with a hike to find and identify tracks.

    Meets science standards: Grades K-2 – 1.1.1, 1.1.4, 3.1.1, (3.1.3 if take nature hike), 3.1.4; Grades 3-4 – 3.1.1, 3.1.3

    Is it reptile or amphibian? – Students learn the difference between reptiles and amphibians and how to classify them, with the help of some live animal representatives. They will also gain an understanding of the terms cold- and warm-blooded.

    Meets science standards: Grades K-2 – 1.1.1-5, 3.1.1-4; Grades 3-4 – 3.1.1-3, 3.2.1

    Wonderful Wetlands – Students learn the food cycle/web of a wetland, specifically Cheyenne Bottoms, through an activity in which they add the plants and animals living in the Bottoms to a marsh backdrop and answer the question “what happens when one of the elements is removed?” Live examples of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are also used. Program could also be combined with outdoor hike to view the wetland at KWEC.

    Meets science standards: Grades K-2 – 1.1.1-2, 1.1.4, 3.1.1-4; Grades 3-4 – 3.1.1-3, 3.2.1, 7.1.1; Grades 5-7 – 3.3.1-2, 3.4.1-3

    Outdoor programs available at Kansas Wetlands Education Center during spring and fall seasons

    Habitat/Seasonal hike

    Students compare and contrast habitats – marsh, grassland and wooded – and the different animals and plants that live in each. The hike also illustrates food chains. Seasonal changes are also observed.

    This hike may also be scheduled during winter; weather permitting and provided students are dressed for the cold. Children often enjoy searching for tracks in the snow and other evidence there is life where there appears to be none at first glance.

    Meets science standards: Grades K-2 – 1.1.1-4, 2.1.1-2, 3.1.1-4, Grades 3-4 – 3.1.1-3, 3.2.1, 4.2.3, 7.1.1; Grades 5-6 – 3.4.1-3, 3.5.1

    Wetland study

    After observing animals and plants living in a wetland, water samples are collected, taken in to the classroom and observed under a microscope. Program can be expanded to include water quality indicators.

    Grades 3-4 – 2.1.1-3, 3.1.1-3, 3.2.1,6.2.1-1, 7.1.1; Grades 5-6 -3.1.1, 3.2.1, 3.3.2, 3.4.1b, 3.4.3a, 3.5.1b, 6.2.1, 6.3.1

    Insect Search

    With nets and containers in hand, students search out invertebrates living along the nature trail. Magnifiers and microscopes will be used for closer examination and identification/classification.

    Grades K-2 – 1.1.1-4, 3.1.1-4; Grades 3-4 – 2.1.2-3, 3.1.1-3, 3.2.1, 7.1.1; Grades 5-6 – 3.1.1, 3.2.1, 3.3.2, 3.4.1, 3.5.1b

    SPECIAL PROGRAMS

    Kansas Day Symbols

    This program is geared for the month of January, but could be given at any time of the year. From the mighty American bison to the tiny European honeybee, students will learn fascinating facts about the Kansas animal and plant symbols. Students have a chance to feel a bison hide, see a live barred tiger salamander and ornate box turtle and experience how a bee sees the world, among many other hands-on activities.

    KWEC Facilities

    Exhibit Hall

    culture display

    The 2,000 sq. ft. exhibit area is dominated by a diorama depicting the history of Cheyenne Bottoms from 12,000 years ago to present day. Containing many interesting artifacts, including a bison mount, the exhibit fills the front wall of the gallery.

     Additional exhibits focus on the wetland community - defining a wetland and its importance, wetland animals and plants and bird migration. Life-size metal sculptures of local birds hang overhead, with identification keys located throughout the gallery.

     A rotating display area currently contains “Shorebirds of Cheyenne Bottoms,” exhibiting several specimens that frequent Cheyenne Bottoms

     Auditorium

    Seating 69 people, the auditorium is fitted with a projection and sound system and provides comfortable tiered seating. The auditorium is available for group rental.

     Classroom

    Used for nature-based educational programming, the classroom houses several representative animal species from Cheyenne Bottoms that are on display and used for programs. The room is also fitted with a projection and sound system and is available for group rental.

     Gift Store

    gift store

    Packed with unique nature-themed artwork created by local artists, the store also offers kids’ science and nature kits, nature-themed T-shirts and other items and a large selection of books and field guides.

    General Education Programs
    kids and snake

    The Kansas Wetlands Education Center offers informative, entertaining programs focusing on the wetland ecology of Cheyenne Bottoms, including the animals and plants that inhabit the marsh. KWEC staff will work with you to meet your group’s needs, from Scouting and youth groups to civic clubs and organizations. Whenever possible, live animal and plant specimens are used to facilitate the learning experience.

    Program topics include but are not limited to: Bird adaptations – flight, feathers, song, bills and feet, color and migration; butterfly and moth life cycle, behavior and migration; animal tracks; owl pellet dissection; amphibians; reptiles; creatures of the night; animal habitat and housing; pollination; insects; Kansas wildflowers; and a historical perspective of Cheyenne Bottoms.

    If you have another program topic in mind, please ask, modifications can be made to existing programs or new programs developed.

    Winter and summer programming for children and families take place during the months of February and June/July/August. Watch the website for a schedule of Summer 2010 programs.

    Children’s summer programs are designed for children ages four through sixth grade, with two sessions offered – ages four to seven and ages eight to 12. Programs include lots of hands-on activities, with trips outside if possible. Children age seven and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

    Monthly family programs are also offered.

    For more information on any of these programs contact: Pam Martin, using the email form or call 620-786-7456