KU Field Station field trip itinerary

Join us for a guided walking tour of the KU Field Station, where you will connect with nature, art, and science through hands-on restoration, scenic hikes, and an inside look at ongoing research!

8:00 - 8:30 am TBA - KU bus pickup at DoubleTree, campus, and downtown hotels to deliver to Kansas Union

8:30 - bus leaves Kansas Union for Field Station.  Field Station staff to meet the bus in Lawrence and provide introductory content.

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Prairie Restoration and here-ing Artwork. Begin your day at the Suzanne Ecke McColl Nature Reserve, experiencing here-ing, an environmentally embedded artwork by Janine Antoni. Walk the labyrinth and contribute your steps to the path. Following this, take part in prairie restoration by “grazing” Johnsongrass, a noxious invasive weed. Your efforts will support the return of native prairie species to this active restoration site.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Rockefeller Prairie Walk. Relax and recharge with a walk at the Rockefeller Prairie. Tallgrass prairies, like this one, are one of the most imperiled ecosystems in the world, with less than 4% of their original expanse remaining. The 0.4-mile paved trail winds through reconstructed and remnant prairie, ending at a scenic overlook of the Kansas River valley.

12:30 – 1:15 p.m. | Lunch and Learn at the Armitage Education Center. Box lunch provided. Eat lunch while learning about the role of field stations as hubs for education, research, and community engagement.

1:15 – 4:00 p.m. | Exploring Research in Action. Dive into research as you visit several study sites within the KU Field Station’s core research area. Walk along a ¾-mile gravel road, stopping to learn from researchers about:

  • Plant-microbial interactions and community dynamics
  • Disease prevalence in small mammal populations
  • Harmful algal blooms and water quality
  • The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)

The final stop is at a large reservoir, where you can drink cold tea brewed from native prairie plants and enjoy the views. Don’t forget your binoculars if you want to look for birds! You might even spot the station’s resident pure white Red-tailed Hawk. Other wildlife encounters, particularly reptiles, are possible this time of year.

4:00 pm - Bus back to Lawrence with drop-off stops downtown, on campus, and DoubleTree.

How to Prepare

Expect to be outdoors for most of the day, walking up to 3.5 miles in total, with lots of breaks along the way. The terrain will include narrow dirt paths, paved trails, and gravel roads. The elevation change is minimal, but the footing can be uneven in some areas. Expect to be in taller vegetation at times.

What’s Provided

  • Gloves and tools for prairie restoration
  • Bagged lunch
  • Tick spray and extra sunscreen

What to Bring

  • Closed-toed shoes and socks
  • Long pants
  • Hat and sun protection
  • Water bottle

Potential Hazards

Natural risks include potential exposure to ticks, encounters with venomous snakes, and uneven terrain. The KU Field Station participation waiver is included and provides more information.