Kansas Biological Survey to host public forums on Douglas County natural areas, historic sites



LAWRENCE — In February and March, the Kansas Biological Survey will host a series of free public forums at four Douglas County locations. One forum each will be held in Baldwin City, Lawrence, Eudora and Lecompton. The first, at the Lumberyard Arts Center in Baldwin City, will take place Thursday, Feb. 15.

In response to a 2014 Douglas County survey, residents expressed overwhelming support for conservation of natural resources and the creation of parks and open space. As part of a project funded by the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council, the Kansas Biological Survey is holding these forums to learn about residents’ specific priorities for conservation and open spaces.
 
Each forum will begin with a short presentation about the natural and historic places near the host city. The remainder of the time will be devoted to participant sharing through a moderated discussion.

Participants will contribute to a vision for the conservation of prairies and forests in Douglas County, with a focus on those that occur at or near historic sites.

Jennifer Delisle, associate researcher at the Kansas Biological Survey, is the principal investigator for the project. Contact Courtney Masterson for more information.

The events are posted individually on the Biological Survey’s Facebook page.

Forum dates:

Baldwin City, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.
Lumberyard Arts Center, 719 High St.

Lawrence, Feb. 20, 7 p.m.
Flory Meeting Hall, Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St.

Lecompton, March 3, 10 a.m.
Lecompton Community Building, 333 Elmore St.

Eudora, March 10, 10 a.m.
Eudora City Hall, 4 E. Seventh St.

The Kansas Biological Survey, a university research center, was established at KU in 1911. It houses a variety of environmental research labs and remote sensing/GIS programs, and it manages the 3,800-acre KU Field Station, a site for study in the sciences, arts and humanities.

Photo: Akin Prairie in Douglas County. Credit: Kirsten Bosnak.

Mon, 02/12/2018

author

Kirsten Bosnak

Media Contacts

Kirsten Bosnak

Kansas Biological Survey

785-864-6267