Daily Archives: August 7, 2013

KAWS Places New Executive Director

“The Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) has placed Jeff Neel, Manhattan, as our new executive director,” said Brad Loveless, KAWS Board president. “The vacancy was created with the retirement of Harold Klaege who served in the position for over five years. Neel began his duties August 1.”

            Neel comes to KAWS from a position as an environmental consultant in his own Blue Earth business. He has a long history with KAWS serving on the KAWS Three Rivers Chapter board when he worked as an Extension/Research Associate at Kansas State University, and having contracted for Geographic Information System (GIS) services with KAWS for a number of projects, said Loveless. Neel has worked with KAWS staff previously to develop GIS products related to watershed, riparian forest, and wetland assessments, and helped to develop assessment methods that are being used as a standard at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Kansas Forest Service, and the Kansas Water Office. Our Board directors are quite pleased to have Jeff move into the director’s position, he continued.

            “Through our joint efforts we have developed the progressive capacity to identify wetland sites for protection, enhancement, and creation in numerous watersheds; identify riparian sites for forestry management, protection and establishment in the Delaware River basin; and consequently, now, are gaining a better understanding of the timing of floodplain connectivity to riparian forest and wetlands,” said Neel. “We hope to guide restoration efforts and best management practice (BMPs) implementation in theNeosho River basin by providing this information to the stakeholder leadership team in the area. Additionally, assessment work in a range of KHDE’s Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategywatersheds throughout the state has led to recognition of sites to implement BMPs associated with animal feeding operations, stream bank erosion sites, riparian buffer sites, ephemeral gully erosion sites, and potential terrace outlet retention and treatment areas in more than twenty watersheds. One notable example of our success was evidenced when our watershed assessment efforts led to 20-plus stream bank stabilization sites being selected along the main stem of the Delaware River for American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 funding to stabilize stream banks contributing to sedimentation of the watershed system and Perry Lake.”

            KAWS is an integrator, like the waters that unite and connect us all, Neel said. I see KAWS bringing together diverse partners interested in a healthy future for our state and a higher quality life for Kansans that builds on our rich heritage. Our streams, rivers, wetlands, riparian areas, prairies, and soils are the gut-like indicators of what kind of future we can expect for ourselves and future generations. What we do to them we do to ourselves and our progeny. My vision for KAWS is to make sure our integrated future is a proud one with our partners working together in more thoughtful, efficient, and ecological ways.

            KAWS has been fortunate to have Harold Klaege’s good help through an important phase in the organization’s development, and we wish him well in retirement, noted Loveless. We are excited to have Jeff now in this leadership role and we anticipate new opportunities for KAWS to protect and enhanceKansas‘ streams, wetlands, and riparian areas.

            KAWS was organized in 1994 and is a 501.c.3 nonprofit. The mission is to ensure the future of wetlands, streams, and their adjacent riparian areas as integral parts of our Kansas heritage and landscape. KAWS meets its mission through a variety of educational and outreach efforts, demonstration projects, and other activities. To learn more about KAWS, go to www.kaws.org. KAWS office is located at 

1228 Westloop Place

 PMB#234, ManhattanKS 66502-2840.  Contact Neel at [email protected], phone (785) 410-0040.

Water Matters Day 2013 Saturday, August 10

The Manhattan Konza Rotary, along with its many corporate and individual sponsors, is havingWater Matters Day 2013 this Saturday, August 10!

            Beginning at 9am you will want to attend the Water Resource Symposium at Manhattan Public Library.  Then have the kids and grandkids meet you for more learning and Fun at City Park Poolbeginning at 1pm.  (Free swim tickets will be given away at the morning symposium for the afternoon events at City Park Pool)

            Water Resource Symposium Morning Schedule

9:00-12:30 Manhattan Public Library Auditorium

• Dan Devlin: An Overview of State and Local Water Issues

• Randy DeWitt: Manhattan’s Water: Supply and Treatment

• Stacy L. Hutchinson: Urban Runoff:  Where does it come from?  Where Does it go?

• Bobbi Wendt: Where in the World is Your Water?

• Caitlin Luttjohann: The Kansas River Trail

1:00 – 6 pm. Adjourn to City Park Pool

• Water Matters Day: Kayak/Canoe Demonstrations and All 

Visit the following site for additional details.
http://www.k-state.edu/urbanwaterinstitute/images/WaterMattersDay.pdf

Women in the Outdoors Day event September 14

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Upland Pioneers–WITO will hold a Women in the Outdoors event in LeRoyKS on Saturday, September 14. This event is only for women 18 years and older and starts at 10 AM. The event is limited to the first 50 and pre-registration is required.

Optional classes include 3-D Archery Range, learn how to shoot compound and/or traditional bows at targets 10-15 yards away; Fly Fishing, learn the basics of casting techniques, fish habitat and species identification; BB Gun Range, learn the basics of rifle shooting with air rifles; Trap Shoot, learn how to shot a 20ga or 12ga shotgun and hit a flying clay target; .22 Long Riffle, learn how to shot a riffle and sight in on a target; First Aide/ Survival Skills, learn the basic of first aide and survival while out in the woods hunting;Hand Gun Range, learn how to shoot a pistol; Women’s Self Defense, being taught by Crosshair Firearms and Training, Humboldt, KS; and Hunter’s Education, to take this class you must have taken the online class within 90 Days of September 14, 2013. This is not a requirement for this event. We must have 12 participants so notify us as soon as possible.

            The fee for the day is $35.00 and includes use of all equipment, lunch, one-year subscription to theTurkey Country magazine and special invites to Kansas – WITO events. Deadline to register is Sept. 10. For more information or a registration form, contact Jennifer Foster, 1120 N. Jefferson, Iola, KS 66749  620-496-8062.