GARDEN CITY -- The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced a change of name for what has been known as Finney Game Refuge, 5 miles south of Garden City on U.S. Highway 283. The area is now known as the Sandsage Bison Range and Wildlife Area.

Located in the area's sandsage shortgrass prairie, the 3,670-acre bison range is home to the oldest publicly-owned bison herd in Kansas. The new name better depicts the mission of the bison range, which is to conserve a sample of the sandsage prairie for education and recreation.

Once a part of the Kansas National Forest, the property was deeded by the federal government to the state Fish and Game Department in 1916 for use as a game preserve. Current project goals include the management of bison and other wildlife species for viewing, hunting, and other recreational activities. The area is now a popular destination for vacationers, who may arrange tours to learn about the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Great Plains and its inhabitants.

An official unveiling of the main entrance sign with the new name will take place June 18 during a special KDWP centennial celebration, "Buffalo Days." Hosted by KDWP and Friends of the Sandsage Bison Range, this event will celebrate the conservation, natural history, and heritage of the prairie. Several activities will be available for visitors, including guided bison tours and nature walks, living history re-enactments, displays and programs about native prairie animals and history, laser hunting and fishing simulators, concessions, and more.
For more information about "Buffalo Days"

contact the Sandsage Bison Range office at 620-276-8886, the Friends of the Sandsage Bison Range at 620-276-9400, or visit the area's website .

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