Kansas Celebrates the Tallgrass Prairie

National Park Trust
Wednesday, 8 November 2000

Governor Bill Graves Signs Proclamation

Topeka, Kansas – On November 8, 2000, Governor Bill Graves signed a proclamation declaring the week of November 12-18, 2000, as Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Week. Coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the establishment of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, approved by Congress and signed into law on November 12, 1996, the Governor's proclamation marks the beginning of a program to raise the funds necessary to protect the 10,894-acre Preserve in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills. Governor Graves urged "all citizens to participate in this program to share and protect this nationally significant parkland."

"We could not ask for a better friend and supporter than Governor Graves and we thank him for encouraging Kansans and the nation to get behind this project," said Paul Duffendack, Chairman of the National Park Trust of Kansas and Vice Chairman of NPT's national board.

National Park Trust (NPT), the private non-profit charitable land conservancy organization that owns the property, launched its campaign to celebrate the completion of the National Park Service's 10–15 year General Management Plan, which sets the initial direction or vision for the Preserve. NPT is raising funds to ensure the protection of the Preserve for future generations. Donations will be used to reduce the mortgage on the property, to endow educational programming, and to reduce or eliminate grazing on critical sections of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem in order to promote species diversity and increase wildlife habitat.

In Topeka for the signing of the proclamation, Paul Pritchard, President of National Park Trust stated, "We have already received a contribution of nearly $160,000 to restore to prairie and wetlands, the bottomland across from the main house, but much more is needed to safeguard this precious resource for future generations."

Celebrating Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Week, Education Resource Center on the NPT web site will feature resource materials on the Preserve, accessible at www.parktrust.org. Additionally, the Preserve is conducting an essay contest and a poster contest for students on the importance of the Prairie. Winners will receive savings bonds donated by Farmers & Drovers Bank, Council Grove, Kansas and the classes of the winners will participate in a special day at the Prairie. Contest rules and specifications are available on the NPT web site or by calling (202) 548-0500. Winning entries will be used to create a commemorative poster.

Activities scheduled at the Preserve include an open house and a Volksmarch (10 kilometer fun walk on the prairie), to be held on Sunday, November 12, sponsored by the Wichita Skywalkers in cooperation with the National Park Trust and the National Park Service. Saturday, November 18, will be the annual recognition of volunteers, staff, and Friends of the Prairie with holiday decorating of the historic buildings followed by a potluck supper. For further information regarding these or other Preserve activities, please contact National Park Service rangers at (316) 273-8494.

Steve Miller, Superintendent at the Preserve, commented, "We are thrilled that Governor Graves has chosen to recognize approaching the completion of the General Management Plan and the numerous individuals and organizations that have contributed to its development. We invite everyone to stop by the Preserve and participate in the activities in celebration of this momentous occasion."

For more information, or to contact National Park Trust, see their website at: www.parktrust.org