By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
On average last year, Kansas Wetlands Education Center staff completed more than two programs a day at the facility located just northeast of Great Bend or in area schools. Director Curtis Wolf has no intentions of slowing down in 2024. He said the new Education Specialist Natalie Unruh will present the next Turtle Tots program on Friday, Feb. 16 from 10-11 a.m.
"She's going to talk about cave critters: animals you can find in caves," Wolf said. "She's even going to set up a cave where the kids will be able to go through and look for some animals and see what they can find in there."
Turtle Tots is a monthly program aimed at children 3-5 years old. Spots are still available for the Feb. 16 program though pregistration is required. KWEC will host another Turtle Tots on Friday, March 8, and will also host daily come-and-go afternoon programs from 1-4 p.m. during Spring Break from March 11-15.
KWEC is also hosting its greater prairie chicken lek tours from March 21 through April 5. The mating ritual of the birds is one of the great natural shows and brings in viewers from around the country.
"I tell people all the time, in the natural world, there's nothing you can predict," said Wolf. "This one thing you really can. It's literally every day these birds go to the same place."
Due to a lack of males at the lek, last year's tour was canceled. Dates have been set for this spring while staff scouts other locations, but the tours may again be canceled due to a lack of activity. Cost for the tour is $40. Preregister for Turtle Tots or the lek tour by calling (620) 566-1456.
K-State Research and Extension will host a deer management meeting at the facility on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. A meal will be served at the free program about deer biology, habitat management, and feeding. Drew Rickets will present. Reserve a spot at that meeting by calling (620) 793-1910.
CLICK HERE for more information on the lek tours.