Kaw Valley Almanac for Aug. 25-31, 2025
Controlled summer burns are hotter and more effective in pushing back woody plants from prairie remnants.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Aug. 18-24, 2025
Big bluestem has seeded out and is pollinating. Their seedheads can be taller than a person, and is also known by the name “turkey foot” due to the resemblance to the footprint of a turkey.
Greg Kramos / USFWS
Kansas lesser prairie chicken loses endangered species act protections after Texas court order
The lesser prairie chicken, a dancing grouse that has long teetered between threatened and endangered classifications, lost its federal protections in court in a victory for Great Plains petroleum and cattle industries.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Aug. 11-17, 2025
This adult cicada is emerging from its nymph exoskeleton shell, still upside down and its wings still curled up on its back. It will right itself and the wings will unfurl and dry, and the cicada will take on its familiar colors before flying off.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Art installation at Lawrence library aims to inspire wonder, curiosity about native plants
A melange of shadow boxes with seed heads, pressed flowers, prints and faerie doors is on display at the Lawrence Public Library to foster wonder and enthusiasm for native plants and ecosystem diversity.
Urban legend says the ‘Tonganoxie Split’ protects Kansas City from tornadoes. Is it real?
A local weather phenomenon holds that the 6,100-person town of Tonganoxie, Kansas, can weaken and divide thunderstorms and tornadoes. Experts are mixed on its existence — and what causes it — but locals say otherwise.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
How to start incorporating native plants into Lawrence lawns and gardens this season
Everyone in Lawrence with access to some soil and seeds can participate in restoration ecology by planting native species this season. Here are some suggestions to start seeding prairie plants.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Aug. 4-10, 2025
Believe it or not, these bugs are the same species: the two mating adult green stink bugs on the right looked like the round striped bug on the left when they were in the nymph stage.
Evergy receives Missouri approval to build gas plants, solar farms after Kansas thumbs up
Missouri utility regulators on Thursday approved Evergy’s request to build three natural gas plants and two solar farms, freeing the company to move forward with infrastructure projects that will cost more than $2.75 billion.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Open house to celebrate 10 years of Free State High School prairie
An open house Sunday at Free State High School’s prairie will celebrate 10 years of a restoration project there.
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