Outreach that inspires & empowers

Group of 15 people on trail along prairie with blooming wildflowers

Our public outreach provides a wide variety of opportunities for involvement by scientists, educators, ecology enthusiasts and members of the public. Our researchers, staff and students share research-based information through our Friday Ecology Seminars series and the other ongoing programs and events listed below. In addition, they initiate short-term outreach projects for various audiences. Examples include:

  • webinars;
  • off-campus talks and tours;
  • presentations and tabling at public conferences;
  • the development of ArcGIS StoryMap websites such as Mapping Kansas Ecosystems and Douglas County Prairie Pastures; 
  • programming carried out in partnership with other Kansas state agencies and non-profits. 

Contact us at biosurvey@ku.edu if you have questions about outreach.

Links

Ongoing outreach programs

Person walking in hilly prairie setting

Friday Ecology Seminars

Friday public talks, held during the spring and fall semesters in hybrid format, cover a wide range of research-oriented topics related to ecology. Many are posted on YouTube.
More info
Three people at stream edge looking into white tray with small aquatic plants and animals

Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute

This immersive multi-day program brings KU researchers and secondary science teachers together for hands-on learning experiences that educators can use in their classrooms.
More info
Person standing at classroom table with several children and one other adults

Kansas Ecology for Elementary Students

The KEES program brings teams of scientists, including KU graduate students, into area classrooms to provide hands-on, experimentally driven activities.

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Audience gathered in classroom listening to speaker looking at screen with text "Red-tailed hawks" and several dozens images of hawk tails showing color variation

Science Sundays

This monthly series of free, public talks take place Sunday afternoons at the KU Field Station's Armitage Center and cover a variety of science topics.
More info
Elementary school student in prairie setting with box and butterfly net

KU Field Station community programs

Through a wide variety of seasonal public programs and volunteer opportunities, we engage people of all ages, including the youngest schoolchildren.
More info
Large group of people gathered along row of wildflowers listening to tour guide at field garden site

Native medicinal plant research garden

Our summer and fall tours and other activities at the KU Native Medicinal Plant Research Garden draw hundreds of visitors each year, including students.
More info

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Group of about 15 people follow trail through deciduous forest in early spring

Baldwin Woods Forest Preserve tours

The preserve protects nearly 400 contiguous acres of the historic Baldwin Woods ecosystem as a research site. Scientists lead public tours in spring and fall.
More info
Monarch butterfly with Monarch Watch tag in person's hand

Monarch Watch outreach

This renowned program, established in 1992, provides extensive outreach both locally and across North America, including open houses and the Monarch Waystation program.
More info
People scattered along paved pathway through wetland area watch for butterflies on yellow flowers

Monarch Watch tagging day

This annual event, held in September in Lawrence, Kansas, during the monarch butterfly's fall migration south, draws hundreds of visitors.
More info