Field Trips

Join us for a full-day tour of the Konza Prairie, one of the last remaining tallgrass prairies in the US, located an hour west of Lawrence. The Konza Prairie Biological Station will lead an introduction to the area, followed by botanists from the KU Biodiversity Institute who will discuss current research projects. The tour will include stops to visit the bison herd and to walk the hiking trails.

Bus transportation and bagged lunches are provided. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat and sunscreen. Some activities may be weather-dependent. Detailed itinerary to follow.

Attendance cap: 22

Join our partners, Friends of the Kaw for a leisurely paddle down a 5-mile stretch of the Kansas (Kaw) River from DeSoto to Cedar Creek, an hour east of Lawrence. One-person and two-person kayaks, canoes, safety gear, instruction, and interpretive information about the river are provided. A stop on a sandbank will include a talk on river cleanup efforts by Friends of the Kaw and the Kansas Water Office. You will also engage in some community service helping with their cleanup efforts. Great opportunity for bird-watching.

Bring your hat, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and river shoes. Bus transportation, bagged lunches, and snacks are provided.

For our ZooMu attendees and others, spend the afternoon at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. The field trip includes a 60-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the Veterinary Health department, offering a unique look at animal care, ranging from radiology to lab work and more. Before and after the tour, you’ll have a chance to explore 200 acres of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, plus a Platinum rides ticket for the railroad, tram, Sky Safari, Kenyan Cruise, and Carousel.

Lunch is on your own at the Zoo. Bus transportation to the KC Zoo is provided.

Attendance cap: 30

Join us for a unique tour of the SubTropolis underground cave storage environment in Kansas City. With over 8,100,000 square feet of leasable space, 10.5 miles of lighted, wide, paved roads, and 2.1 miles of railroad track, it provides consistent, year-round temperature and humidity-controlled tenant space. After an introductory presentation by SubTropolis staff, attendees will tour spaces occupied by the National Archives (NARA), Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, and the Kansas City Museum to view different storage solutions and discuss the pros and cons of this collaborative storage solution. SubTroplis staff will also showcase some other interesting tenants during the drive through the facility.

After the tour, attendees will stop off in the historic River Market area for lunch on their own before returning to Lawrence. Bus transportation is provided.

Attendance cap: 25

Join us at the KU Field Station, a grassland/forest transition zone managed by the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, for a hike on the Henry S. Fitch nature trail. Hear from faculty and students about their use of the Field Station’s diverse native and managed habitats, experimental systems, support facilities, and long-term databases in various research projects. You’ll also learn about the educational initiatives at the field station while participating in a community service project to remove invasive species.

Bus transportation and bagged lunches are provided.

Attendance cap: 25

Join us for a leisurely tour of Lawrence’s finest breweries, including Free State Brewing Company, Fields and Ivy, and Lawrence Beer Company. The tour includes tastings of a variety of beers, a full glass of your favorite, and appetizers. Each brewery will showcase their unique brewing techniques and ingredients, offering you a behind-the-scenes look at their craft. Lunch on your own at Lawrence Beer Company.

Bus transportation is provided.

Attendance cap: 25