Virtual Tour of Kansas
Baldwin Woods
Baldwin Woods’ undisturbed ecosystem of open savanna and oak-hickory forest, teeming with diverse plant and animal species, made it an ideal location to foster scholarly research, environmental education and stewardship of natural resources.
Geyer Forestry Center
Managed by Dr. Charles Barden, Kansas State University research projects including the black walnut provenance study and bur oak regional provenance study.
ROI Carbonator 500 Demonstration
"Finding cost effective and practical means for utilizing high volumes of wood waste derived from storm damage, windbreak renovation, timber stand improvement practices, community forest management, and primary and secondary wood manufacturing processes is a challenge,” said Dave Bruton, marketing and utilization forester with the Kansas Forest Service.
Canopy Loss Grant
Trees in communities across Kansas are threatened by the emerald ash borer, weather extremes, climatic events and mortality due to age. Kansas Forest Service partnered with Heartland Tree Alliance to administer grant funds from the U.S. Forest Service to combat canopy loss. The project supports ongoing efforts in the Kansas City metropolitan area to empower local stewardship and boost ecosystem restoration and resilience. The partnership will conserve, protect and enhance the KC metro canopy by training local citizens, creating arboretums, planting along street and riparian corridors and collecting geodata. Heartland Tree Alliance coordinated 444 volunteers in Lenexa, Westwood, Overland Park, Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, to plant a diversity of trees in 2019. A total of 3,
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
The USFWS Kansas Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program along with numerous partners have been successfully leveraging funding sources — including a NAWCA small grant and a Kansas Forest Service grant — to support the removal of invasive tamarisk and Russian olive trees in the Rattlesnake Creek Basin, which is upstream of Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Working with Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition and Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams, the Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program has restored over 600 wetland acres and 1,900 acres of associated native prairie through voluntary private landowner projects.
Tamarisk Along Cimarron River in Morton County
On July 7-8, 2021, a US Fish and Wildlife survey plane (Quest Kodiak) was flown at approximately 500-700’ AGL (above ground level) over the river courses of interest at approximately 80-100 knots. One USDA Forest Service employee mapped Russian-olive, and one Kansas Forest Service employee mapped tamarisk. Areas with the plant of interest were recorded by drawing either a polygon (of at least 1 acre) or recording an individual point, using tablets equipped with the Digital Mobile Sketch Mapping (DMSM) software. For polygons, density data was recorded according to the best estimates of the surveyor.
Pair Horticulture Center
To conduct research and extension activities that result in the John Pair Horticultural Center's recognition as a state, regional, and national resource for research based information as it relates to industrial hemp and woody ornamental crop production and utilization.
Excess Property Program
The Federal Excess Property Program is administered in Kansas by the Kansas Forest Service. KFS obtains excess federal property - generally military vehicles such as all-wheel drive 5 Ton trucks, and fire equipment - which is then loaned to fire departments. Before a truck is issued, it is inspected by the Fire Equipment Shop. Hard tops, batteries, windows and seats are installed if necessary. Any other known mechanical defects are also repaired. Upon issue, the fire department is responsible to equip, house and maintain the equipment. It may be used for fire control, support and other public emergencies only. A physical inventory of all loaned excess property is required biennially to ensure program guidelines are being followed.
Anderson Creek Fire 2016
The Anderson Creek fire burned 313,000 acres in Barber and Comanche counties in March 2016. This fire killed at least 750 cattle and destroyed at least 11 homes and 2,700 miles of fence. County officials estimated the fire caused at least $30 million in total damage, and Barber County officials spent about $1.5 million in county and federal funds on suppression efforts. Comanche County did not report its suppression costs.
Starbuck Fire 2017
The Starbuck fire burned 509,000 acres in Meade, Clark, and Comanche counties in March 2017. This fire killed one person and at least 4,000 cattle and destroyed 26 homes and 3,700 miles of fence. State and county officials estimated the fire caused at least $50 million in total damage and cost at least $700,000 to suppress, although some counties may not have reported their suppression costs.
Legislative Post Audit Review
Following the Starbuck and Anderson Creek Fires, a Legislative Post Audit Review was conducted to determine if Kansas’ wildfire suppression system was adequately designed and resourced to effectively suppress wildfires. Their conclusion: unlike other Great Plains states, Kansas’ wildfire suppression system is relatively fragmented and is further limited by a lack of resources and effective coordination across state and local agencies. The state’s primary wildfire suppression agency lacks expertise specific to wildfire suppression and the state entity with this expertise has both a limited role in combating wildfires and few resources. As a result, Kansas’ limited wildfire suppression training and mitigation programs do not sufficiently prepare the state for wildfire response. Ineffective working relationships among the entities responsible for wildfire suppression efforts and incomplete management data further hinder adequate wildfire suppression activities. Finally, although changes to Kansas’ structure and additional resources may improve Kansas’ wildfire suppression system, they would not guarantee all wildfires would be contained as a result.
Tanker 95, Cherry Creek Fire
In support of the firefighting efforts on the Cherry Creek Fire in Cheyenne County, the Kansas Forest Service has deployed a firefighting air tanker plane in addition to two Kansas-based aerial agricultural applicators that are being used to drop water on fires as part of the suppression effort.
Hazardous Fuels Mitigation Project - Quivira Scout Ranch
The Hazardous Fuels Mitigation Project exemplifies the overall goals of the wildland fire program for the Kansas Forest Service: collaborating with agencies throughout Kansas and the region; providing training for future and current firefighters; conducting on-the-ground fuels reduction through physical removal; and using prescribed burning to conserve and promote the native ecosystems of Kansas.
Big Blue River Planting
Streamside forests are essential for streambank stability along many of the state’s waterways. Larger rooted trees help hold the soil, prevent bank failure, and reduce the amount of sediment washed downstream. During high flow events, trees have the ability to slow the velocity of water, allowing sediment to settle out and accumulate in the forested areas.
Roger Wells, Conservationist & Landowner
Roger Wells is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist that leads by example, sharing the knowledge of his lifelong career in wildlife and land management. As an active manager of his lands, Roger has implemented the practices he has promoted to landowners for his entire career. His approach is highly innovative as he manages for wildlife habitat, soil conservation, water quality, recreation and aesthetics. The practices he has implemented on his farm are a continuation of his life-long work spanning more than a 44-year career. Perhaps the thing Roger enjoys more than land management is sharing his knowledge and passion for the outdoors with landowners and youth. Roger was recognized as the 2019 Agroforestry Award winner for the variety of forestry practices he implemented on his 300-acre farm in Lyon County and his involvement in conservation and land management.
Peeling EAB Trap Trees
Ember Woods
Custom live edge and traditional furniture, countertops, bar tops, mantles, river tables. New showroom with ready made pieces. Personalized gifts. Officially licensed Kansas State University decor. Custom milling.
Callery Pear in Shawnee Mission Park
Baldwin Woods
Baldwin Woods’ undisturbed ecosystem of open savanna and oak-hickory forest, teeming with diverse plant and animal species, made it an ideal location to foster scholarly research, environmental education and stewardship of natural resources.
The greater Baldwin Woods, named a National Natural Landmark in 1980 by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, is recognized as a site of environmental significance. It lies within an ecotone, the border region where the North American eastern deciduous forest meets the tallgrass prairie. Therefore, many species live at the western extremes of their geographic ranges, and subtle shifts in climate may affect their populations to a greater extent than farther east. This makes the Baldwin Woods Forest Preserve, which is one of the highest-quality protected timber stands of the eastern forest in Kansas, extremely valuable to the study of ecosystem dynamics and climate change.
Geyer Forestry Center
Managed by Dr. Charles Barden, Kansas State University research projects including the black walnut provenance study and bur oak regional provenance study.
ROI Carbonator 500 Demonstration
"Finding cost effective and practical means for utilizing high volumes of wood waste derived from storm damage, windbreak renovation, timber stand improvement practices, community forest management, and primary and secondary wood manufacturing processes is a challenge,” said Dave Bruton, marketing and utilization forester with the Kansas Forest Service.
The Carbonator 500 is a mobile biochar production system that converts trees, brush, stumps and other wood debris into a high-quality biochar. At nearly forty feet long, the immense Carbonator 500 is capable of burning 15-20 tons of wood waster per hour, with five to ten percent of the material converted into biochar.
Unlike burning waste wood in piles for disposal, biochar production uses a process called pyrolysis which captures carbon in the wood instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. Beyond the sequestration of carbon, biochar can be used to amend soil, filter water, odor control in animal bedding and waste systems, erosion control and much more.
Canopy Loss Grant
Trees in communities across Kansas are threatened by the emerald ash borer, weather extremes, climatic events and mortality due to age. Kansas Forest Service partnered with Heartland Tree Alliance to administer grant funds from the U.S. Forest Service to combat canopy loss. The project supports ongoing efforts in the Kansas City metropolitan area to empower local stewardship and boost ecosystem restoration and resilience. The partnership will conserve, protect and enhance the KC metro canopy by training local citizens, creating arboretums, planting along street and riparian corridors and collecting geodata. Heartland Tree Alliance coordinated 444 volunteers in Lenexa, Westwood, Overland Park, Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, to plant a diversity of trees in 2019. A total of 3,
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
The USFWS Kansas Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program along with numerous partners have been successfully leveraging funding sources — including a NAWCA small grant and a Kansas Forest Service grant — to support the removal of invasive tamarisk and Russian olive trees in the Rattlesnake Creek Basin, which is upstream of Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Working with Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition and Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams, the Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program has restored over 600 wetland acres and 1,900 acres of associated native prairie through voluntary private landowner projects.
Tamarisk Along Cimarron River in Morton County
On July 7-8, 2021, a US Fish and Wildlife survey plane (Quest Kodiak) was flown at approximately 500-700’ AGL (above ground level) over the river courses of interest at approximately 80-100 knots. One USDA Forest Service employee mapped Russian-olive, and one Kansas Forest Service employee mapped tamarisk. Areas with the plant of interest were recorded by drawing either a polygon (of at least 1 acre) or recording an individual point, using tablets equipped with the Digital Mobile Sketch Mapping (DMSM) software. For polygons, density data was recorded according to the best estimates of the surveyor.
Pair Horticulture Center
To conduct research and extension activities that result in the John Pair Horticultural Center's recognition as a state, regional, and national resource for research based information as it relates to industrial hemp and woody ornamental crop production and utilization.
Excess Property Program
The Federal Excess Property Program is administered in Kansas by the Kansas Forest Service. KFS obtains excess federal property - generally military vehicles such as all-wheel drive 5 Ton trucks, and fire equipment - which is then loaned to fire departments. Before a truck is issued, it is inspected by the Fire Equipment Shop. Hard tops, batteries, windows and seats are installed if necessary. Any other known mechanical defects are also repaired. Upon issue, the fire department is responsible to equip, house and maintain the equipment. It may be used for fire control, support and other public emergencies only. A physical inventory of all loaned excess property is required biennially to ensure program guidelines are being followed.
Anderson Creek Fire 2016
The Anderson Creek fire burned 313,000 acres in Barber and Comanche counties in March 2016. This fire killed at least 750 cattle and destroyed at least 11 homes and 2,700 miles of fence. County officials estimated the fire caused at least $30 million in total damage, and Barber County officials spent about $1.5 million in county and federal funds on suppression efforts. Comanche County did not report its suppression costs.
Starbuck Fire 2017
The Starbuck fire burned 509,000 acres in Meade, Clark, and Comanche counties in March 2017. This fire killed one person and at least 4,000 cattle and destroyed 26 homes and 3,700 miles of fence. State and county officials estimated the fire caused at least $50 million in total damage and cost at least $700,000 to suppress, although some counties may not have reported their suppression costs.
Legislative Post Audit Review
Following the Starbuck and Anderson Creek Fires, a Legislative Post Audit Review was conducted to determine if Kansas’ wildfire suppression system was adequately designed and resourced to effectively suppress wildfires. Their conclusion: unlike other Great Plains states, Kansas’ wildfire suppression system is relatively fragmented and is further limited by a lack of resources and effective coordination across state and local agencies. The state’s primary wildfire suppression agency lacks expertise specific to wildfire suppression and the state entity with this expertise has both a limited role in combating wildfires and few resources. As a result, Kansas’ limited wildfire suppression training and mitigation programs do not sufficiently prepare the state for wildfire response. Ineffective working relationships among the entities responsible for wildfire suppression efforts and incomplete management data further hinder adequate wildfire suppression activities. Finally, although changes to Kansas’ structure and additional resources may improve Kansas’ wildfire suppression system, they would not guarantee all wildfires would be contained as a result.
Tanker 95, Cherry Creek Fire
In support of the firefighting efforts on the Cherry Creek Fire in Cheyenne County, the Kansas Forest Service has deployed a firefighting air tanker plane in addition to two Kansas-based aerial agricultural applicators that are being used to drop water on fires as part of the suppression effort.
This marks the first assignment of Air Tanker 95 to a fire in Kansas through the “call when needed” assistance.
“The coordination between agencies to bring ground and air resources together has had a significant impact on our ability to work toward controlling this fire,” said Hanson. “We look forward to being able to serve local fire departments and emergency managers with the coordination of these resources to prevent wildfires from being coming catastrophic events.”
Two other KFS Fire Protection Specialists, Matt Jones and Renette Saba, were requested by the local emergency manager to provide support for on-the-ground firefighting operations and in-air operations.
Hazardous Fuels Mitigation Project - Quivira Scout Ranch
The Hazardous Fuels Mitigation Project exemplifies the overall goals of the wildland fire program for the Kansas Forest Service: collaborating with agencies throughout Kansas and the region; providing training for future and current firefighters; conducting on-the-ground fuels reduction through physical removal; and using prescribed burning to conserve and promote the native ecosystems of Kansas.
Big Blue River Planting
Streamside forests are essential for streambank stability along many of the state’s waterways. Larger rooted trees help hold the soil, prevent bank failure, and reduce the amount of sediment washed downstream. During high flow events, trees have the ability to slow the velocity of water, allowing sediment to settle out and accumulate in the forested areas.
The Inter-Agency Streambank Team has teamed up with the Kansas Forest Service to assist in planting and managing these buffers. KFS continues to be essential to the success of the streambank stabilziation process.
Roger Wells, Conservationist & Landowner
Roger Wells is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist that leads by example, sharing the knowledge of his lifelong career in wildlife and land management. As an active manager of his lands, Roger has implemented the practices he has promoted to landowners for his entire career. His approach is highly innovative as he manages for wildlife habitat, soil conservation, water quality, recreation and aesthetics. The practices he has implemented on his farm are a continuation of his life-long work spanning more than a 44-year career. Perhaps the thing Roger enjoys more than land management is sharing his knowledge and passion for the outdoors with landowners and youth. Roger was recognized as the 2019 Agroforestry Award winner for the variety of forestry practices he implemented on his 300-acre farm in Lyon County and his involvement in conservation and land management.
Peeling EAB Trap Trees
Ember Woods
Custom live edge and traditional furniture, countertops, bar tops, mantles, river tables. New showroom with ready made pieces. Personalized gifts. Officially licensed Kansas State University decor. Custom milling.