Welcome to the Kansas Biological Survey!

The Kansas Biological Survey (KBS) is a non-regulatory agency of the state of Kansas, and a non-degree granting research and service unit of the University of Kansas (KU). KBS is a nationally recognized leader in several fields of environmental research and has maintained a strong tradition of natural history studies.

Our mission is to gather information on the kinds, distribution, and abundance of plants and animals in Kansas, and to compile, analyze, interpret, and distribute this information. Our programs and activities focus on environmental and biological issues that extend beyond the state of Kansas to include the Great Plains, the United States, and the world.

Click on a county on the map below to see a partial list of KBS projects in that area.

KBS NEWS

The new trailhead structure at the University of Kansas Field Station received an award at the American Institute of Architects/Kansas City design competition.  The structure, designed and built by KU architecture students under the direction of Dr. Nils Gore, received one of five Design Excellence awards at a ceremony in Kansas City November 6.  Kansas City Star article

KBS scientists are assisting with the student-led  Potter Lake Project in restoring KU's Potter Lake to its original beauty. Most recently, core sediment samples were taken to measure the amount of sediment on the lake bottom. More...    Oread article    Kansan article

The Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program (KARS) is pleased to announce the release of the Natural Resource Planner, an interactive mapping website designed to support the development of wind resources in Kansas. The mapping application combines relevant wind speed, environmental, and infrastructure data together within an integrated mapping environment. The mapping application also contains links to other resources.  More...

When the next catastrophic flood event hits eastern Kansas, emergency responders will have a much better idea where the floodwaters will be, thanks to a set of digital maps, developed by KARS researchers, showing potential inundation extents along major waterways.  More...

The Applied Science and Technology for Reservoir Assessment (ASTRA) team at KBS are surveying state reservoirs to provide information to local and state officials about sedimentation rates and other issues that threaten sources of drinking water.  More...  Oread article

KARS researchers have recently completed the latest and most detailed map of land cover and land use derived from digital classification of satellite imagery.  This map provides important information to policy makers on water and other natural resources in the state.  More...

The KU Field Station (KUFS) hosted the first Douglas County Water Festival in early October.  Nearly 400 fourth-graders from around the county visited the field station for hands-on lessons on water conservation, pollution prevention and other concepts.  The event was sponsored by several organizations including the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.  More...

In an effort to shine more light on the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of native prairie hay meadows, the Kansas Biological Survey has produced a booklet, Native Prairie Hay Meadows: A Landowner's Management Guide.  The 32-page booklet explores hay meadow ecology, the importance of hay meadows, and other information as well as full-color photography of prairie landscapes.  More...

Seventh graders in Wyandotte County are learning about the watershed they live in through a joint program offered by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) and the Central Plains Center for BioAssessment (CPCB), a research unit of the Kansas Biological Survey.  Students learn how human activities affect water quality through various hands-on experiences.  More...

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