Service to Kansas 2024

As a research center with dual status as a non-regulatory state agency, we work closely with other state agencies and entities to address issues that concern Kansans. Our scientists conduct ongoing assessment of Kansas reservoir and stream conditions; keep records of the state’s vulnerable species and habitats; and carry out a wide variety of research addressing the long-term viability of natural ecosystems and agricultural land.

The Kansas Applied Remote Sensing (KARS) Program develops data-based interactive maps and other planning tools that help farmers, developers, emergency preparedness managers, educators, and other clients and visitors.

Some of our 2024 projects are listed below.

Supporting science teachers: We run two programs for science teachers. The annual Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute brings Kansas and area secondary science teachers to KU for research-based activities that can be transferred directly to the classroom. Through the Kansas Ecosystems for Elementary Students (KEES) program, our researchers and KU student volunteers visit area third-grade classrooms and teach in-person, hands-on, Kansas-based ecology/STEM lessons. 

Flood preparedness: With a $50,000 grant from the Kansas Water Office, Jude Kastens, research professor, developed the Flood Extent Download Tool together with Xingong Li, KU professor of geography and atmospheric science. 

Monitoring Kansas water quality: A $230,000 grant from Sunflower Electric Power supported Debbie Baker, researcher, in a follow-up assessment of the Great Bend Station selenium discharge on a tributary of Dry Walnut Creek, Barton County.

GIS support for KDWP programs: For more than 20 years, our research center has collaborated with the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks, providing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing support for a wide variety of projects for KDWP’s Wildlife Division, including hunting regulations, habitat planning, and conservation and management efforts across the state. In 2024, KDWP provided more than $496,000 in funding to continue this support through 2027. One new project in 2024 was the KDWP Deer Dashboard, developed by Dana Peterson, researcher. This interactive online tool enables users to query and visualize deer density, harvest, demographics and permit data.