Kansas Native Plant Society

🌿Embracing an ecosystem approach involves recognizing the dependence of health and wellbeing on “healthy wetlands” which can only be achieved through wise use, most often at a landscape and/or catchment scale.

🌴 Wise use incorporates the sustainable use and harvesting of wetland plant and animal species.

Learn more: https://www.ramsar.org/document/scaling-wetland-conservation-restoration-deliver-kunming-montreal-global-biodiversity

Recent happenings from our neighbors in Missouri -

From our neighbors in Oklahoma -

From our neighbors in Colorado -

Rare, unusual, and endemic plants often get star billing, but ecologists remind us that the common native plants are important, too. They can be the building blocks that get an ecotone going or keep it intact. Our vibrant Gaillardia species are good examples, they are a key component of northern grasslands, and they provide food and shelter to numerous pollinators, birds, and small mammals. Their sparkle is an added bonus!

We have officially kicked off the second month of our Exploring Roots Summer Adventure Challenge! 🌞🌿 This challenge is a fantastic way to keep moving this summer while discovering new trails around Kansas City. It's open to everyone, regardless of age or ability! We celebrate all distances hiked, and every participant will receive a prize!🥾You'll also be automatically entered to win our amazing grand prize for the month, valued at up to $500! 🎉 Get out there and get exploring! 🌟


For more information on our Exploring Roots Summer Adventure Challenge, check out our registration page here: https://www.classy.org/event/exploring-roots-summer-adventure-challenge-2024/e589590

This project is supported by the Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourism and Development Fund and Jackson County Parks + Rec.

Lawrence ecologists’ efforts thwarted by mystery mowers, both mistaken and malfeasant Much to his relief, Daniel Lassman’s yard, where he’s restoring native plants, was mowed by mistake rather than someone with ill intent. But other projects have been repeatedly destroyed by mystery mowers.

🦋 July Topic: Butterflies and Moths of Kansas (and beyond!) 🐛

We all know and love Monarch Butterflies, but what about all the other species of butterflies and moths that call Kansas home? Join Dr. Claudia Nuñez Penichet, a postdoctoral researcher at the KU Natural History Museum, to learn about the diversity, ecology, and importance of lepidopterans. Dr. Nuñez Penichet will talk about the fascinating world of Kansas's butterflies and moths, highlighting their ecological roles and unique characteristics. You will learn about the wide variety of lepidopterans in our region and gain a deeper appreciation for these incredible insects beyond the iconic Monarch. Claudia will also share practical tips on supporting butterfly and moth species in your backyard. From planting host species to letting leaves lay, find out how small changes in your land stewardship practices can create a haven for these beautiful creatures. Whether you're a seasoned butterfly enthusiast or just curious, this talk will offer something for everyone!

When: 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2024

Where: KU Field Station, Armitage Education Center, 350 Wild Horse Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66044

What to bring: A mug for tea/coffee to help us reduce waste.

✨ Please RSVP to Wendy ([email protected]) as space is limited. ✨

(Science Sundays talks cover a variety of science topics, including research happening at the Field Station. Talks are free and open to everyone, but may not interest younger audiences. These talks are intended for members of the general public who want to learn more about science. You do not have to be a scientist to attend! Please RSVP to Wendy Holman ([email protected]) as registration will be capped at 40 each month. It also helps us plan for seating and snacks!)

Visit a Kansas lake this weekend! Most state parks include a lake, as do many municipalities. Lake Coldwater is a gem managed by the City of Coldwater, located near Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway. https://www.coldwaterks.org/coldwater-lake.html https://www.travelks.com/things-to-do/byways-and-highways/byways/gypsum-hills/

Protecting your home from wasps Homeowners often dread finding wasp nests around their houses due to their infamous stinging abilities. Raymond Cloyd, K-State entomologist, explains how to remove wasp nests and encourages people to contact pest control professionals before acting.

Plant Look-alikes!

NATIVE Slender lespedeza (Lespedeza virginica)
- Leaves: net veined
- Stem: tall & narrow

Wildlife Uses
Leaves
- white-tailed deer
- cattle, goats
Legumes
- bobwhite quail
- wild turkey

INVASIVE Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata): invasive
- Leaves: parallel veined
- Stem: with many branches

Control Options
Herbicide
- Metsulfuron-methyl
- Triclopyr
Patch Burn Grazing
Goats

Read more in our factsheet http://bit.ly/OSUSericeaFacts

It’s time for another Virtual Museum After Hours! Dave Kendall and Rex Buchanan team up to present clips from two recent projects. The documentary, The Road to Santa Fe, tells the story of the Santa Fe Trail and its role in the westward expansion of the United States. The presentation moves from past to present as Kendall and Buchanan discuss their most recent collaboration, Hot Times in the Heartland. This documentary explores the impact of a changing climate on Kansas and the Great Plains. They will present excerpts as they reflect upon the ways in which local residents are dealing with the challenges.

Register - https://bit.ly/4e3yz2m

This program will also be livestreamed on the Kansas Historical Society’s YouTube channel.

July 17: MPF Master Class: The Magic of Swallowtails

She's back! In this MPF Master Class with butterfly expert and photographer Betsy Betros, learn about the high-flying, colorful world of swallowtail butterflies in the Kansas City region. Betsy will take you on a tour of what makes each swallowtail unique and also what defines them as a group.

This master class, to be held via Zoom, will include a presentation and question-and-answer session. A recording will be available only to those who have registered.

Betsy Betros‘ lifelong love of insects began in childhood, and she went on to earn a degree in entomology from Colorado State University, focusing mostly on aquatic insects. She worked for 35 years for the Environmental Department of Johnson County, Kansas, and is also the author of a book on the butterflies of the Kansas City Region.

Cost: Free to all MPF dues-paying members and Grow Native! professional members, or $15 for non-members. Master class fees support our conservation work. Register here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/73frXV5HnBxSj4oVCdYOsw

𝘚𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘴𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘴

I'm assuming you ALL get the newsletter, so what do you think of the new website? The new name? Don't forget the special 40% off discount in the newsletter on all classes -- including the two news ones -- and pocket guides / booklets (use code UNLAWNAMERICA). Party on.

https://prairieup.com

Way down in southwest Kansas is the state's largest sinkhole, Big Basin Prairie Preserve. Big Basin, and its neighbor Little Basin were formed from dissolving minerals of salt and gypsum below the surface; this dissolution caused the surface to collapse. You can drive through Big Basin on U.S. Highway 283 and appreciate the geology and its local bison. The park also serves as a great starting point to explore the nearby Red Hills on U.S. Highway 160. The Red Hills are capped with gypsum and are stained red by iron within its rocks.
https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWP-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Southwest/Big-Basin-Prairie-Preserve

The prairie is telling us the prairie blazing stars will start blooming anytime now! They bloom for a couple weeks, thankfully. We're moving up our open prairie a week, to give us all a better chance of viewing the Liatris pycnostachya in full glory! Join us on the evening of July 13th for this special gathering. We'll see you on the prairie!

More info including the address and registration information for this free event at this link!: https://facebook.com/events/s/open-prairie-at-blazing-star-p/444856144960828/

When Japanese beetles find a suitable host to feed on they start a party 🎉🎉🎉

As these beetles feed, they emit pheromones that draw in more beetles to feed and mate. This is part of the reason why traps can be ineffective control (drawing more beetles in) and why control of small numbers of beetles by handpicking can be highly effective. Adult Japanese beetles feed on over 300 species of plants including rose, birch, linden, crabapple, grape, Virginia creeper, and buckeye.

Full details on control here: bit.ly/3utbsJI