Women in prairie with wildflowers

Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research

Our vision: To lead scientific discovery that fosters broad appreciation of the vital interactions between humans and the environment.

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Research and services

People wearing hats working in field

Ecosystems research

Our group of labs focusing on a wide range of ecosystems research in Kansas and beyond
Ecosystems labs
Cone-shaped soil sample with person's hands in plastic gloves holding knife to take smaller sample from cone

INVAM collection

The world's largest living collection of important symbiotic microbes
INVAM website
Monarch butterflies on shrub

Monarch Watch

KU's internationally known research, education and monarch butterfly tracking program
Monarch Watch website

Kansas Biological Survey programs

Researcher wearing gloves sits beside algae-green lake and dips hand into water

Aquatic assessment

Our group of labs focusing on the health of our region's streams and reservoirs
Aquatic assessment labs
Purple prairie clover in meadow with woman walking in background

Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory

The Kansas representative for NatureServe, which tracks North American biodiversity
Heritage Inventory information
Portion of KARS Green Report map showing varying vegetation across Midwest

Kansas Applied Remote Sensing

Environmental and ag applications of remote sensing technology, with interactive maps
KARS website
Aerial view of greenhouses

The KU Field Station

In addition to our focus on terrestrial, aquatic and geospatial research, we manage the University's biological field station. Founded in 1947, the KU Field Station has grown to 3,200 acres across three sites and welcomes all researchers. The 1,650-acre core research area, just 20 minutes from main campus, is open the entire KU community for study in any subject and includes five miles of public trails.

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Our impact in 2024

Economic
Employment at at our research center contributed 202 jobs; $5.4 million in labor income; and $6 million in value added to the Kansas economy. This resulted in $1.3 million in tax revenue, including $250,000 in revenue for the state of Kansas.
Research
Our scientists carried out 73 active research projects that totaled $16.2 million in active funding to KU. Their work addresses the long-term viability of natural ecosystems and agricultural land, clean water, reservoir health, emergency preparedness and more.
Outreach
Our researchers and staff led 44 unique outreach events, in addition to 34 community events held through KU Field Station public programming, with 2,000 total participants. We also took part in 16 external events in Kansas with 3,100 total attendees.
Young researchers gathered around a table of plants in greenhouse

Donate

Want to support ecological research, teaching and outreach? Make an unrestricted donation or choose your area of giving. Give online or get in touch.

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Quick links, frequent contacts & service centers

Friday Ecology Seminars

We host weekly seminars, open to the public, during the spring and fall terms. Join the mailing list for notifications and reminders of upcoming seminars. See our current schedule and visit our YouTube channel for video recordings of talks.

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Upcoming & previous talks

News

Photo of musk ox in Greenland.

Study of ‘spatial synchrony’ using long-term data exposes ecological trends and could boost conservation, farming

New research from the University of Kansas in Ecology Letters reveals study of spatial synchrony over a long enough timescale leads to better testing of ideas, improved statistical results and new conceptual realms for understanding ecology, conserving species and farming more profitably.
CBS journalist Anderson Cooper, man with short white hair and dark glasses, looks to the side as a monarch butterfly rests on his head.

Monarch butterfly super generation live up to 9 times longer than most monarchs

One of the most remarkable and mysterious migrations in the natural world is happening right now from Mexico to the United States. Tens of millions of monarch butterflies are on an epic aerial journey home.
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Edge of cornfield with irrigation system

Trump administration pauses a moonshot push to grow biofuel crops with less fertilizer

Scientists in Kansas, Missouri and other states were poised to start research to cut U.S. reliance on fertilizer imports, keep biofuel farming cost-competitive and tackle a potent greenhouse gas. But 10 days after taking office, the Trump administration decided to hold off on this $38 million investment that the energy department had previously boasted could save farmers $6 billion in fertilizer spending.
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Stay up to date with our research & activities

Understanding Our Environment is a quarterly newsletter celebrating the discoveries and activities of the scientists, staff, students and colleagues of the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research—as well as happenings at the University of Kansas Field Station.
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Events

Resources for our researchers, staff & students

The full page of resources includes information and contacts on a wide of variety of office procedures, as well as KU contacts. Two direct links are provided here to help you get contact information quickly in urgent situations.

Resources page