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In 1998, the Kansas Audubon Council (described below under the History of the Audubon Society in Kansas) created Audubon of Kansas ("AOK") and hired Ron Klataske as its Executive Director. There are a total of eleven National Audubon chapters in Kansas (as listed below) each having a delegate-trustee on the AOK Board. In additon, other individuals have been selected and accepted as trustees. Presently, there are 28 Trustees (30 are possible by the AOK's constitution). Regular meetings are held three times a year.
The mission of Audubon of Kansas includes promoting the enjoyment, understanding, protection, and restoration of natural ecosystems. We seek to establish a culture of conservation and an environmental ethic.
Membership in National Audubon is not required
if an individual has similar goals and affinities as the AOK. The cost of
a separate membership to AOK is $20. Larger donations, of course, are
accepted. Send your name, address, phone and email along with a check for
$20 made out to Audubon of Kansas to:
A few of the eleven Kansas
Audubon chapters have established World Wide Web sites. These are listed
below as links for your convenience. Information for the other chapters
may be obtained by contacting the national office as follows:
Lynn
Tennefoss
Chapter Services Office
Phone: 800-542-2748
via Regular Mail:
via Overnight Mail:
P. O. Box 8192
8850 O'Brien Creek
Missoula, MT 59807
Missoula, MT 59804
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The Kansas Audubon Chapters include:
Burroughs
Audubon Society, Kansas City
Jayhawk
Audubon Society, Lawrence
Kanza Audubon Society, Admire
Leavenworth Audubon Society, Leavenworth
Northern
Flint Hills Audubon Society,
Manhattan
Sandhills Audubon Society, Hutchinson
Smoky Hills Audubon Society, Salina
Southeast Kansas Audubon Society, Parsons
Sperry-Galligar
Audubon Society, Pittsburg
Topeka
Audubon Society, Topeka
Wichita
Audubon Society, Wichita
The Topeka Audubon Society was the first Audubon chapter in Kansas, founded in 1944. Ten years later, in 1954, the Wichita Audubon Society was founded. Burroughs Audubon Society, originally founded as the Burroughs Nature Club, became a chapter of the National Audubon Society during the 1970s at about the same time the remaining chapters were formed following the formation of the West Central Regional Office.
Beginning in 1975, the chapters of Audubon formed the Kansas Audubon Council ("KAC") which had a long history of conservation advocacy at the state level. KAC was one of the leading conservation groups that championed establishment of the State Water Plan Fund in 1989. This fund has subsequently provided critical financial resources for support of natural resource initiatives.
KAC spearheaded the efforts to educate citizens and legislators about the plight of Cheyenne Bottoms, a state-owned wetland, which was subsequently recognized for its importance to migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. The Council cooperated with the efforts for the Bottoms' designation as both a RAMSAR and WHSRN site. KAC sought and obtained significant state funding for the Cheyenne Bottoms' renovation efforts that will permit more effective storage and management of water for the benefit of both resident and migratory bird populations.
KAC also took part in the successful litigation efforts aimed at long-term assurance of the state's water rights at this important wetland. The Council continued to participate in the ongoing dialogue among area water-rights holders and state agencies to ensure that the decision of the Chief Engineer of the Division of Water Resources will be upheld.
KAC also worked closely with the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, monitoring its water rights and participating in the discussions with area landowners aimed at avoiding litigation of this water-rights issue. Council delegates from the Sandhills Audubon Society in Hutchinson were actively involved in promoting awareness of the benefits of the Refuge through the "Friends of Quivira" group.
