KU Field Station 2024

Students in protective yellow jackets practice using tools to control the edge of a small fire line

Teaching stewardship

KU Field Station staff members conducted prescribed fire training in 2024 for several KU classes as well as the KU Grounds Crew and also held a burn training workshop for the public.

During the 2024 season, researchers from the natural sciences, engineering, geography, art and other fields used the KU Field Station as a study site. Projects included tracking the movement of large-scale fire, the effect of the microbiome on grassland diversity, and the potential seed yield of echinacea as a crop.

The number of active research projects at the Field Station varies annually and includes many long-term studies, some requiring extensive infrastructure. In 2024, 44 projects were active, engaging 61 researchers from 11 different research units or departments across KU, and 11 external institutions, agencies and organizations. Participants included:

  • faculty (24 KU, 6 external);
  • staff (nine KU, one external);
  • postdoctoral researchers (five KU, one external);
  • graduate students (12 KU, two external);
  • one KU undergraduate student;
  • student interns engaged in our research community (10 KU, two external).

This year a 4,200-square-foot research support building was completed with funding from the National Science Foundation Infrastructure Capacity for Biological Research grant program and KU funds. It will provide space for:

  • a new full-service workshop;
  • a soil processing and sterilization facility;
  • interior space for a future staff operations workroom, plus common-use research and educational activities.

In addition, a team of research technicians from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), of which the Field Station is part, continued regular visits to monitor species and atmospheric conditions.

Public programming included seven Science Sundays talks with a total attendance of 248, plus 26 community programs that drew 486 participants. The  Visitors’ Day open house brought 170 people to the Field Station. Staff members also had booths or otherwise took part at 13 external public events. 

The Field Station's Armitage Education Center was open for retreats and planning sessions for KU faculty and staff. The public trail system and the KU Native Medicinal Plant Garden are open dawn to dusk all year for individual visitors, special events and tours.

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