Established in the late 19th century, the Kansas Biological Survey (KBS) today is a non-regulatory, non-degree-granting research and service unit of the University of Kansas (KU) and the State of Kansas.

KBS is one of a dozen state-supported biological surveys in the United States. KBS has become a nationally recognized leader in several fields of environmental research, while maintaining a strong and active tradition of natural history study.

Our basic mission...

...is to gather information on the kinds, distribution, and abundance of plants and animals across the State of Kansas, and to compile, analyze, interpret, and distribute this information.

KBS is an integral component of progressive research at KU. Annually, KBS scientists bring hundreds of thousands of grant dollars to KU, review hundreds of development proposals for environmental impacts, and educate thousands of people through exhibits, field forays, public lectures, seminars, and informal talks.

KBS scientists also routinely provide consultation to federal and state agencies, private industry, nonprofit organizations, and the general public on a wide range of environmental and biological issues.

Within Kansas, KBS provides valuable information and decision support to the State's research, education, and resource management communities. Additionally, our programs and activities focus on environmental and biological issues that extend beyond the State of Kansas to include numerous regional, national, and international research and projects.

Our research program...

...is diverse, characterized by broad-based research emphases of global scope. Current research activities cross several disciplines, including aquatic ecology, environmental science, landscape ecology, terrestrial ecology, and geography.

Research projects are ongoing in several foreign countries, including China and Mexico.

KBS researchers have access to several state-of-the-art laboratories, and make routine use of technologies such as satellite and airborne remote sensing, aerial photography, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). KBS researchers make valuable contributions to the research community, as well as providing countless applications, products, and services to help decision-makers manage real world problems.

To learn more about research at KBS, please visit our "Divisions, Units, and Special Centers" site listed on the menu at left.

Our faculty & staff...

...includes more than 35 scientists, analysts, and support staff. Many of our scientists hold joint faculty appointments with the University of Kansas, primarily with the Departments of Geography and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.

Additionally, our research faculty employ numerous Master's- and Doctoral-level graduate research assistants and undergraduate students to assist with various research projects and initiatives during the course of their degree programs.

To learn more about our faculty and staff researchers, please visit the "People" site listed on the menu at left.