Kansas Prairie Research Site Offers Educational Student Tours

Konza Prairie, located in the Flint Hills near Manhattan, Kan., is a long-term ecological research site. Portions of the site are open to the public for recreational and educational experiences.

Students K-12 can enjoy self-guided hikes through the Konza Prairie trail system, as well as guided tours. The guided tours cover the following topics: the history and mission of Konza Prairie; the value of prairie research and ecology; prairie conservation and management by grazing and fire; local history of Native Americans and European settlers; Flint Hills geology; signs of animals and seeds of prairie plants; and plant and animal diversity of the prairie.

Tours can be customized to fit a group’s age, special interests, and background knowledge. There are three public hiking trails to choose from, varying in length, and a homestead settled by Swedish immigrants in 1878. Tours available by reservation include a driving tour and tours of the research station headquarters and field research areas.

For more information about the Konza Prairie research, click here. For detailed information about available educational tours, click here.