2010 Guided Outdoor Public Events in Kansas

March 25-April 25 • Prairie Chicken Viewing
View the amazing courtship behavior of the Greater Prairie Chicken! Konza Prairie Biological Station and the Konza Environmental Education Program offer guided tours from an observation blind daily, four weeks each spring. Viewing is by reservation only, and on a first-come, first-served basis. You must arrive before first light. Visitors come within 10 to 50 feet of 5 to 15 booming birds. Peak activity on the Konza Prairie lek usually occurs in early April. Cost is $15 per person. Make arrangements for your visit as far in advance as possible. See http://keep.konza.ksu.edu/visit/blind.htm or phone Annie Baker at 785-587-0381.

March 27 • Guided Bird Walk at Overland Park Arboretum
Meet at 7 AM to join our bird specialist as he takes you on a walk through the Arboretum sharing his wealth of knowledge about birds and how to identify them by their songs and calls. Please dress appropriately (closed toe shoes and long pants are recommended). Bug repellent and binoculars are encouraged. Bird Walks are sponsored by the Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop. FREE class, limited to 10 adults--space is limited, please pre-register by calling 913-685-3604 or by e-mailing: volunteercoordinator@opkansas.org.

Meet at Visitor's Center- OP Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th Street, Overland Park Kansas. Visit www.opabg.org or phone 913-685-3604.

April 5-10 • Prairie Fire Festival in Cottonwood Falls
The Prairie Fire Festival is a week-long event in tribute to the ranchers of the Flint Hills of Kansas who participate in the annual range management practice of burning the prairie. Visit www.prairiefirefestival.com.

April 17 • Wetlanders Festival at Cheyenne Bottoms
We will travel by bus through Nature Conservancy and Cheyenne Bottoms wildlife area. A naturalist, will lead the tour and point out various birds that are passing through the Bottoms during their Spring migration, as well as other wildlife and point of interest the Bottoms have to offer. The tour will stop by the Wetlands Education Center before returning to the pick up location. Be sure to bring a pair of binoculars. Visit www.wetlanders.org for details and many other activities too.

April 17 • Cabin Fever Challenge Bike Ride
Looking for an early spring ride and a place to trade cycling items? Then join us for a day of bicycling and fun in beautiful Pottawatomie County. The 6th Annual Cabin Fever Challenge will begin and end at the Wamego Middle School, Wamego, KS. New this year is a Bike Swap Meet. Net proceeds from the ride will be used for trail building. Cabin Fever Challenge includes three paved routes: 54, 37, or 16 miles. Check-in, 7:30-8:45 AM, mass start at 9 AM. Riders may turn around at any point during the 16-mile route to customize riding distance. Course closes for all routes at 2 PM. Visit www.wam-sag-man.org or phone 785-494-2319.

April 20 • Kansas Nature Trails and Auto Tours • 10 AM
Take a virtual tour of Kansas while we explore lesser-known natural areas and trails. This presentation is especially tailored to outdoor enthusiasts, birdwatchers and shutter bugs who want to experience the outdoors without the physical challenge. Mid-Continent Public Library, Claycomo branch. Please phone to register: 816-455-5030. Visit: www.mcpl.lib.mo.us

April 23-25 • Kansas Birding Festival
Central Kansas is rich in birding opportunities, especially during the later part of April. Native birds inhabit the area year round, but it is also prime season for birds that migrate. Combine Milford Lake, the wetlands, and the surrounding native prairie, and you have one tremendous location for bird sightings. Visit www.kansasbirdingfestival.org for a complete schedule of activities. You must register for this event.

April 27 • Kansas Nature Trails and Auto Tours • 7 PM
Take a virtual tour of Kansas while we explore lesser-known natural areas and trails. This presentation is especially tailored to outdoor enthusiasts, birdwatchers and shutter bugs who want to experience the outdoors without the physical challenge. Mid-Continent Public Library, North Oak branch. Please phone to register: 816-436-4385. Visit: www.mcpl.lib.mo.us

April 30 - May 2 • Highland Games and Celtic Celebration
For a complete schedule of of music performances, competition between warriors, and of course food. Visit www.thgatherin.com

May 8 • Barber County Wildflower Tour • 8:30 AM
Meet at the Medicine Lodge High School, 8:30 AM. Enjoy continental breakfast and slides of flowers we expect to see. Buses will provide transportation for full-day and half-day wildflower tours. Barber Co. Conservation District and Kansas Native Plant Society are co-sponsors. Pre-paid reservations should be sent before May 4th, $8 half-day, $15 full-day. Barber Co Conservation, 800 W. 3rd Ave. Medicine Lodge, KS 67104. Visit www.kansasnativeplantsociety.org.

June 5 • Spring Wildflower Tour at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge • 10 AM
Board a tram for a tour of the prairie featuring wildflowers and buffalo. There is also a self guided walking tour with flowers flagged. The Refuge is located 6 miles north of Canton, KS. Phone: 620-628-4455.

June 6 • Friends of Konza Prairie Annual Wildflower Walk • 6:30 PM
Join us for a 2-mile guided hike of Butterfly Hill Trail, an area generally not open to the public. At the peak of wildflower season, visitors often view more than 50 species of native tallgrass prairie plants blooming along the trail. The walk will be co-lead by Dr. Valerie Wright, Kansas Native Plant Society Board Member, and Konza Docents. There is a charge of $7 for those who are not Friends of Konza Prairie members. RSVP required; telephone reservations will be taken beginning May 1. Phone 785-587-0441.

June 12 • Symphony in the Flint Hills
(Always a sold-out event) Enjoy this unique pairing of music and prairie! The vision of this concert is to heighten appreciation and knowledge of the Flint Hills as the last major intact tallgrass prairie on the North American continent and will help focus attention on the Flint Hills of Kansas as a national treasure belonging to all Kansans and as a destination for people beyond our borders. Wildflower tours will be lead by Kansas Native Plant Society volunteers. Featured is an outdoor concert performed by the Kansas City Symphony. Visit www.symphonyintheflinthills.org

July 2-4 • Fourth of July Celebrations
Numerous State Parks host fireworks and outdoor events including Toronto Lake, Cross Timbers, Wilson Lake, Eisenhower and Kanopolis. Check with the Kansas Dept of Parks and Wildlife at www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Click on Event Calendar.

July 3 • Firecracker 100
The Firecracker 100 is a single-day bike tour that starts in Ottawa. Proceeds are donated to the Kansas Jaycees Cerebral Palsy Ranch to allow mentally and/or physically challenged children and adults to enjoy their highest level of functioning and independence, consistent with their abilities, in a summer camp setting. There are 40-mile, 62-mile, and 100-mile options, with SAG support every 10 miles or so, as well as lunch, ice cream and watermelon. Visit www.ottawajaycees.org/firecracker-100.

July 10 • Explore Native Tallgrass Prairie at Tuttle Creek Lake
Kansas Native Plant Society volunteers will lead the walk near the Visitor Center at the lake from 1:30-3 PM. Rain date is July 11. Pre-registration is required. Contact: Park Ranger Paul Weidhaas; Paul.K.Weidhaas@usace.army.mil. (Repeated August 28.)

July 17 • Lenexa Midnight Bike Ride
Enjoy a fun-filled ride for all ages through Shawnee Mission Park at Midnight, with an all-you-can-eat pancake feed following the ride. Visit www.midnightbikeride.org.

August 7 • Star Gazing at Fall River State Park
The Kansas Astronomical Observers will present an evening of planets, stars, and meteors! Enjoy a slide presentation, and after sunset look through telescopes the group brings along for viewing. Bring lawn chairs and bug spray for an exciting evening of fun! Event starts at the campfire theater in Fredonia Bay at 8:30. Phone 620-637-2213 for more info.

August 1 • Cider Mill Century
Tour the beautiful countryside of Miami & Linn Counties, starting & ending at the Louisburg Cider Mill. 25, 50, 70, and 100-mile routes. Visit www.jcbikeclub.org.

September 4 • Fall Wildflower Tour at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
Board the tram for a tour of the prairie with wildflowers and buffalo at 10 AM. There is also a self guided walking tour with flowers flagged. The Refuge is located 6 miles north of Canton, KS. Phone 620-628-4455 for more information.

September 4 • Grand Opening of Kaw River State Park
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks invites the public to attend the opening of Kansas' newest state park. The celebration will begin at 8 AM with the "Race for the Kaw," a four mile walk/run sponsored by the Topeka Sunflower Striders. All proceeds will benefit Let’s Help, an organization that helps families struggling with poverty. The dedication will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, followed by a canoe flotilla on the Kansas River. Visitors may participate by renting canoes for $25. To reserve a canoe, phone Friends of the Kaw at 913-963-3460. Entrance to Kaw River State Park is at 5630 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66606 between Cedar Crest property and the Menninger Campus. For more information about the dedication, phone KDWP at 785-273-6740.