Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 23-29, 2023
Even though the snow was short-lived most places, it can record much animal activity that would otherwise go unseen. See if you can figure out which tracks were made by birds and which by mice.
Ken Lassman
Kansas wheat farmers face a tougher future as climate change ramps up dry, hot, windy weather
A new study from K-State researchers is the first to measure how a changing climate is hurting wheat production in the Great Plains. And it points to a future with more extreme heat, drought and wind.
Crews have cleaned up most of the oil that spilled out of the Keystone pipeline in Kansas
The pipeline company that spilled nearly 600,000 gallons of oil onto fields and into a stream in north-central Kansas says it has cleaned up more than 85% of the crude.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 16-22, 2023
Even though the ground is damp on the surface in may areas, this swale at the Wakarusa wetlands shows shrunken pools with brown dirt shores, as drought conditions persist. This week’s rains, if you get some, will provide a chance to see fresh animal tracks along the receded muddy shoreline.
The Keystone operator must repay some — not all — of the tax dollars spent on its Kansas oil spill
When the Keystone pipeline burst in rural Kansas last month, county workers rushed to build an emergency dam on Mill Creek. Federal agencies dispatched pipeline and environmental experts, and the state set about sampling water and searching for injured animals. All of this costs taxpayers.
Lawrence and Douglas County seek public’s feedback on draft wind regulations
Lawrence and Douglas County community members are invited to a meeting Thursday and an open house on Jan. 30 to discuss a new draft of wind energy regulations.
Evergy blames renewable plans, inflation for $1 billion rise in infrastructure plans
Kansas’ largest electric utility says inflation and plans to add more renewable energy are to blame for the ever-rising estimated cost of its infrastructure investments.
New order puts Keystone pipeline cleanup under EPA oversight
Owners of the Keystone oil pipeline must complete their cleanup of a massive spill in northern Kansas under oversight of the federal government, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 9-15, 2023
Sycamores are white barked and easy to spot lining creeks, where this water-loving tree likes to grow. Another way to enjoy them is to see their smooth round seed balls that stay on the trees all winter long. They persist into the spring, when they can be pulled off and thrown at a wall, exploding into seeds.
Douglas County sustainability team to hold climate effects focus group with BIPOC community members
BIPOC community members are invited to share how climate issues affect their communities as part of a session with the Douglas County sustainability team.
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