A Catalyst for Change

By Fred Markham, KDOT
(785) 296-0853

Kansas boasts that most of the remaining tallgrass prairie is in Kansas. If that is true today, it may not be true in the near future. The idea of preserving portions of the prairie ecosystem as a significant natural and cultural heritage is not a priority to many land owners, particularly in the eastern third of the state. Strong property right concerns and the pride of managing range land responsibly on large tracks of land dominate opinions in the Flint Hills and in many areas in central and western Kansas. One of the most important opportunities presented by the prairie passage is to communicate the value of preserving the character of tallgrass prairie, particularly along the state's highways.

Although it is difficult to appreciate nature (or culture) on a high speed highway like I-35, the big land/sky character of the Flint Hills, as observed on the Kansas Turnpike about midway between Kansas City and the Oklahoma border, is very evident any month of the year. The Flint Hills is the essence of rural Kansas as illustrated by the many attractions in small towns, including Council Grove, Strong City, Cottonwood Falls, Hatfield Green, and Cassoday along the Flint Hills Scenic Byway.

The southeastern loop of the prairie passage enters Kansas from Oklahoma at Caney (US-75) and exits 100 miles northeastward, near Pittsburg. This portion of the corridor passes through hay meadow country. The land here is often wooded, with large, open meadows, often containing a diverse mixture of wildflowers that bloom in the spring through the fall.

Nearly fifty percent of funds for the prairie passage in Kansas are devoted to educating Kansas and visitors about natural Kansas. Our recent "wildflower" brochure is available at 270 locations and is being requested by teachers, boy scout leaders, Convention and Visitor Bureaus, Chamber of Commerce and Audubon Chapter members.

The Prairie Passage in Kansas brochure will be available in August. A total of 60 attractions, including 16 "not to be missed" prairie passage sites will be listed. Also listed are trail rides, prairie excursions, Flint Hills driving routes, and a list of significant attractions not on the prairie passage corridor.

Prior to the opportunities presented by the prairie passage, the Kansas Department of Transportation did not have goals to implement IRVM programs and did not have anyone who was promoting roadside management. One of our goals was to preserve the native plants we have on our roadside rather than planting large areas to a mix of grasses in wildflowers. Past attempts to establish diversified seed mixes were "mowed gone", because our crews did not understand or had not "bought into" the concept of correct mowing procedures during plant establishment and beyond. The prairie passage, along with the need to save money on mowing and redirect the efforts of our maintenance crews to other responsibilities, has acted as an agent to change.

A number of projects came about partly by funding from TEA-21 funds and partly from programs supported and developed by partners. In all cases, prairie passage concepts enabled the following additional projects:

The KDOT is partnering with the Audubon of Kansas on a birding trail brochure and on 10 pilot project areas for Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM) sites.
The development of IRVM sites is included in KDOT's long range plan. Management plans are being developed for scenic byway overlooks and other highly visible visitor sites throughout Kansas.
A video of IRVM in Kansas is being developed by the Scenic Byways program.
Thirty acres of seeding IRVM sites is included in prairie passage sites. Wildflower signs are also included.
Five prairie demonstration sites are funded. Partners include the City of Parsons and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
An identification manual of native plants included in standard KDOT seed mixes will be distributed to area supervisors. Plant identification field trips (with manuals in hand) will be scheduled.
Several committees of KDOT maintenance personnel have been organized to meet with citizen groups to develop IRVM management plans for the ten pilot project areas.
Attend and present an introduction of IRVM at workshops held annually by each KDOT District. We have presented IRVM concepts at two meetings in the winter of 2003, and have received valuable feedback from all levels of maintenance management.