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Konza Environmental Education Program

What is the Friends of Konza Prairie?

FOKP Logo

Friends of Konza Prairie (FOKP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the Konza Prairie environmental education program. 

As a member, your contributions are tax-deductible and go to bringing area school children to the tallgrass prairie.

What FOKP does:

  • Supports the Konza Environmental Education Program (KEEP) for K-12 students.  KEEP introduces students to ecology and beauty of the tallgrass prairie. The program also connects students to this amazing ecosystem and introduces them to the science and research of the Konza Prairie Biological Station.
  • Supports the work and activities of the Konza Prairie Biological Station. 
  • Sponsors special events at Konza Prairie throughout the year, such as:
    • Cure for Cabin Fever Soup and Song in January
    • Wildflower Walk on Butterfly Hill in June
    • Bison Barbecue and Bison Loop Tour in September
    • Visions of the Flint Hills art show at the Buttonwood Art Space, Kansas City, MO in October/November

Become a member

Membership Questions?

Call (785) 587-0381 or email at:  friendsofkonza@gmail.com

Want to Contribute to Support Konza Prairie?

Your support is appreciated - and easily made here

Memorials to the Friends of Konza Prairie may be sent to:

FOKP
116 Ackert Hall
Division of Biology; KSU
Manhattan, KS 66506

Upcoming events:

Wildflower Walk

When: Sunday, June 2nd - 6:30 pm

Wildflower Walk with hikers

Where:  Konza Prairie Biological Station Headquarters

Konza Prairie Biological Station - 100 Konza Prairie Lane, Manhattan, KS. Go past the public Nature Trail and into headquarters. There will be volunteers assisting with directions and parking. 

Admission:  

$10/each or free to members of the Friends of Konza Prairie

Become a member of the Friends of Konza Prairie here!

What to Expect:

In short, you'll go for a slow and easy hike on a beautiful trail on a late spring evening and view wildflowers along the way. 

To ensure the highest quality experience for all, we have found that small groups work best, so you'll be placed into a group of about 10 people and partnered with a docent volunteer guide. You'll have about 1-2 hrs. to hike the gorgeous Butterfly Hill trail - a 1.5 mile easy trail that is not normally open to the public that extends west of the Konza Prairie headquarters - and along the way you will see the spring prairie in full bloom. 

The beginning of June is when the tallgrass prairie is at its peak for wildflower blooming. If you wish to learn the names of the different wildflowers, this is for you. If you simply want to hike a beautiful trail on a lovely night, this is also for you. 

We'll have Konza Prairie t-shirts, hats, and stickers for sale. Bring the whole family (but not the pets).  

No reservations required.

Questions?  Call (785) 587-0381

FOKP Brochure

2023 FOKP Board of Directors

An Invitation to Join Friends of Konza Prairie

Friends of Konza Prairie (FOKP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the Konza Environmental Education Program.  As a member, your contributions are tax-deductible.

Membership Benefits:

By becoming a member, you will receive the following benefits:

- Bison and Bluestem newsletter

- Invitation to bison barbecue potluck

- Winter and spring special events - may be a concert, invited speaker, or activity

To become a member of the Friends of Konza Prairie

Student membership (including college) = $10/yr

Individual membership = $30/yr.

Family membership = $50/yr.

Big Bluestem level = $100 - $149/yr.

Flint Hills level = $150 - $249/yr.

Prairie Chicken level = $250 - $499/yr.

Bison level = $500 and up/yr.  (receives a complimentary FOKP calendar)

Mail:
Your completed membership form (on the FOKP brochure) and tax-deductible check, payable to Friends of Konza Prairie, to:
Friends of Konza Prairie
Kansas State University
Division of Biology, 116 Ackert Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-4901
  

Corporate Sponsorships:

By partnering with the Konza Prairie, corporations can impact students with financial assistance, receive brand recognition, and demonstrate corporate responsibility by investing in long-term ecological research, education and prairie conservation. Please contact Director John Blair at jblair@ksu.edu to become a corporate sponsor.