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Wetland grants provide high quality habitat for waterfowl in Kansas
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Ducks Unlimited and partners will complete 44 habitat protection and restoration projects in Nebraska and Kansas, thanks to three North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants. More than $2.9 million in NAWCA funding will be combined with nearly $6 million in funding from 25 partners to restore or enhance almost 4,500 acres in central Kansas marshes. The projects included in these grants will provide high quality foraging habitat for thousands of waterfowl and waterbirds during fall and spring migration, and year-round habitat for other wetland-dependent wildlife.
“Kansas wetlands are some of the most important fall and spring stopovers for waterfowl in the Central Flyway, but much of the wetland habitat has been lost due to wetland conversion to other land use, which forces birds to concentrate on fewer and fewer wetlands,” said John Denton, manager of conservation programs for Nebraska and Kansas. “Past wetland loss and the constant threat of wetland conversion make every acre conserved using these grant and partner funds that much more important.”
Since 2011, NAWCA has invested more than $1.7 million in grant funds for wetland protection and restoration of habitat in Kansas. Ducks Unlimited and its conservation partners match NAWCA funds at least dollar for dollar and many times at two to three times the amount. Locally, the McPherson Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge will benefit from over $250,000 worth of work scheduled over the next year to restore 90 acres of wetlands and enhance another 3,700 acres. Work will include placement of several levees and water control structures to restore wetland functions at the McPherson WA as well as replacing an old water control structure on the main creek of the Quivira NWR.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 was passed, in part, to support activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. It provides competitive, matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada and Mexico for the benefit of wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife. Program funding comes from Congressional appropriations; fines, penalties and forfeitures collected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918; the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950; and interest accrued on the fund established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937.

GBHS students bring home top honors at Job Olympics
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Great Bend High School students and teachers pose for a photo following the annual Job Olympics, held March 26 in Hays. From left: Brandi Suchy, interpreter and coach; Payton Edwards, 10th grade; Jamie Patton, 12th grade; MaKayla Cross, 11th grade; Faith Mead, 10th grade; Rhonda Glenn, special education teacher and coach; and Trish Berger, special education teacher, work Study coordinator and coach.
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MaKayla Cross competes in a grocery packing event at the Job Olympics.

Four students from Great Bend High School put their skills to the test and brought home top honors during the annual Job Olympics, held March 26 in Hays.

Representing GBHS at this day-long event were students MaKayla Cross, Jamie Patton, Payton Edwards and Faith Mead. These outstanding students competed in a variety of hands-on events designed to build employability skills and boost confidence for future career success. Their hard work and preparation paid off with impressive results:

• 1st Place – Small Gas Engines, Rolling Silverware

• 2nd Place – Sorting Recyclables, Kids Meals Packaging

The Job Olympics provides students with opportunities to practice real-world job tasks, connect with employers, and engage in meaningful social experiences. The event aims to build motivation to learn job skills, improve social interactions, foster new friendships, and develop self-confidence. Participants also receive valuable feedback on their personal employability skills.

“The students not only gained practical skills that will serve them throughout their lives, but also built friendships with students from other schools and communities,” shared Trish Berger, Vocational Program Coordinator and Special Education Teacher at GBHS. “It’s inspiring to see their growth and enthusiasm during this event.”

Accompanied by three dedicated coaches, the GBHS team embraced every opportunity the Job Olympics had to offer, demonstrating perseverance and a positive attitude in each competition. Events like these reinforce the importance of community partnerships and showcase the talents and abilities of students with special needs.

For more information about the vocational programs at Great Bend High School, contact Trish Berger at 620-793-1521.

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Payton Edwards competes in the grocery stocking event at the Job Olympics.