March 2022

Support Kansas wildlife with tax return donations

March 9, 2022

PRATT – More than 4,500 birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans and mollusks are considered nongame species in Kansas – species that are not trapped, fished, or hunted. Collectively, nongame wildlife makes up more than 99 percent of all species in the state. Through tax-deductible donations to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park’s (KDWP) Chickadee Checkoff program, individuals can support these species through nongame wildlife research, habitat enhancements and restorations, educational projects and more.

Time to plant potatoes approaching

March 9, 2022

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, so it is time to think about getting seed potatoes in the ground. Actually, any time from mid- to late-March is fine for potato planting. We may have to plant later this year if soil remains wet.

KWEC to offer bird-watching workshop

March 9, 2022

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center will hold a free birdwatching workshop at 10 a.m.

Purple Martins return to Kansas

March 9, 2022

(March 1, 2022)—In a sure sign that spring is not far behind, the first Purple Martins of the year have been spotted in Kansas. The birds were seen on February 25 in Wichita, Kansas by an unidentified Purple Martin enthusiast – one of many throughout the eastern and central United States who track and report on the birds’ annual migration on behalf of the Purple Martin Conservation Association.

My almost moment of fame

March 9, 2022

When driving a truck, you can go to some unique and special places. For example, I have had my truck and trailer next to the sideline and goal post of the Missouri University football field. This doesn’t happen every day.

Reaching that last sock in the bottom of the washing machine

March 9, 2022

There is such drudgery in doing the dishes day in and day out in the normal human existence. There is also drudgery in endless laundry cycles, finding something to fix for dinner every evening, picking up the floor, sorting the mail, sweeping dog hair from the corners, dusting the furniture, going to work, even finding a way to make a marriage work for the benefit of both parties. It is those things that must be done over and over that require the most dedication and perseverance in life, and in that perseverance we find the release from drudgery.

Take time to explore the sandhills in Pratt County

March 9, 2022

Perhaps the biggest challenge in visiting the Pratt Sandhills Wildlife Management Area (PSWMA) is simply getting there. It’s called the sandhills for a reason, and the road that borders its south edge (NW 50th St.) can be quite a feat to navigate in a standard two-wheel drive car. In many places, you’ll be crossing through minisand dunes.

Degrees of separation can be reduced in agriculture

March 9, 2022

History often repeats itself. This phrase used to seem like a cautionary warning but the last two years have transformed it to have a feeling more like a judgmental, “I told you so.” Events I had only read about in history books like a global pandemic, racial unrest as part of the fight for civil rights and the start of war in Europe are actually happening.

March 9, 2022

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas 4-H official said the state’s largest youth organization is “excited” to move one of its capstone events for college and career readiness back to in-person learning.

Spring storms are coming. Here’s what you need to know

March 9, 2022

Unless Kansas has one of those rare, uncharacteristic, peaceful storm seasons, we all know what’s coming. Once that line of storms has passed, Kansans must deal with the line of “storm chasers.” The term has two definitions: It’s commonly used to describe meteorological evidence-gatherers who steer toward threatening weather. However, the other kind of storm chasers are the fly-by-night opportunists who swarm in after the weather has passed, seeking to gather your money rather than storm condition data. Your Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides annual warnings about these scammers and now that March has begun, it’s time again for us all to be on guard against them.