Kansas Wetlands Education Center, located at 592 NE K-96 in Barton County, offers the following free programs and activities.
WILD Club - Blood Creek Deer Recovery
Friday, March 29, 10-11 a.m.
Cory Wagner of Blood Creek Deer Recovery will give a demonstration on how he trains his dog to track and locate wounded deer that hunters can’t find.
Participants will walk a trail as a dog follows the scent to find a hidden deer hide.
This program is part of the WILD series. Each month KWEC offers a program geared toward school-age kids. Activities are designed to keep kids off screens and out exploring nature. Participants should dress for the outdoors and wear appropriate footwear for a hike.
No pre-registration is required.
Turtle Tots: Wonders of the Sun
Friday, April 5, 10 - 11 a.m.
Turtle Tots is a nature-based preschool program for those ages 3-5 accompanied by a grown-up. The sun-themed program will include a story, game, science experiment, and craft. This will be a great introduction to themes that will be explored during the KWEC Solar Eclipse Viewing Party on April 8. Dress for an outdoor activity. Call 877-243-9268 or email amkern2@fhsu.edu to register.
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
Monday, April 8, noon - 3 p.m.
Kansas Wetlands Education Center is offering a unique opportunity for the community to witness a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party. While our location may not experience totality, viewers will still be treated to a rare and spectacular sight as the moon obscures 82.5% of the sun.
The event is not just about the eclipse; it’s a fun-filled and educational afternoon for all ages. Attendees can look forward to engaging in games, science experiments, snacks, crafts, and safe viewing opportunities. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and lunches to make the most of this exciting day.
Safety is paramount, and attendees will be reminded not to stare directly at the sun to avoid damage to their retinas. Thanks to the generosity of the Great Bend Noon Lions Club, 300 eclipse glasses will be available for distribution to participants on the day of the event.
Activities will include various safe viewing methods, learning sessions about moon phases, accompanied by sweet treats, discussion about animal behavior during an eclipse, and crafting sessions to make UV bead bookmarks and eclipse necklaces as keepsakes.
Sponsors and students from the Barton Community College STEM Club will assist in leading activities.
Additionally, lawn games will be set up around the picnic shelter, and eclipse-related videos will be screened in the auditorium.
For more information, contact the Kansas Wetlands Education Center at 877-243-9268.
KWEC Spring hours resume
Beginning April 1, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center will begin spring operating hours. KWEC will be open to the public on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. and Mondays-Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Stop by to visit the live animals on exhibit, learn about the history of Cheyenne Bottoms, browse the Wetlands Gift Store, and enjoy interactive exhibits detailing the importance of the wetlands and the animals who call Cheyenne Bottoms home. Explore the great outdoors with a walk on a 1/2 mile paved nature trail or take a self-guided driving tour of the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area to see what birds are in the area.
