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Cheyenne Bottoms
a Natural
Gem T
he environmentally critical Cheyenne Bottoms and the adjoining Kansas Wetlands Education Center, a branch of Fort Hays State University’s Sternberg Museum, make two of the most treasured assets for local residents and visitors alike. The center opened 12 years ago. During 2018, the KWEC saw its most significant enhancement project to its exhibit hall. This follows the installation of 12 new exhibit features, including 14 interactive pieces telling the complex story of the wetland’s ecosystem. The facility also sponsors numerous educational programs for children and adults throughout the year. In 2019, it had contact with nearly 27,526 visitors and program participants. Across the highway is the sprawling Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. Most of it is managed by the state, but there is also the 7,694 acre Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy. The bottoms has long been a mecca for bird watchers, hunters and other nature enthusiasts. It is a gem that has garnered national and international attention. According to information from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, the popular attraction consists of nearly 20,000 acres of water surface meandering through a 41,000 acre natural land sink northeast of Great Bend. The State of Kansas took
ownership of the land in the 1950s and the area has been continually developed ever since. It has gained in importance and stature through local economic efforts as well. It is managed by the KDWPT. The site has been named a Wetland of International Importance and is also the northern anchor of the 77-mile Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway that connects it and the Quivira National Wildlife Area in Stafford County. This route is now both a way to highlight their ecological significance and an important economic development tool for the region. The bottoms attracts about 100,000 visitors each year, according to KDWP. It is home to sandhill cranes, and many species of geese and ducks. The site attracts 45 to 90 percent of all North American shore birds. Of the 650 bird species in the
United States, 417 are found in Kansas. Of those, 320 can be found at the Bottoms. It is also home to 23 species of mammals, 19 species of reptiles and nine species of amphibians. Hunters will find 13,000 acres of public hunting areas at Cheyenne Bottoms and duck hunting is very popular. Birdwatching is another attraction that draws a large number of visitors to the area. The spring and fall migration periods offer a great opportunity to view a large number of the different species in one location. Whooping Cranes usually make a stop-over late in October and early November and Bald Eagles winter in the area. Established in 2002, this byway region has been named one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas. Kansas has 12 byways, nine scenic byways and three historic byways. Two of the scenic routes, the Wetlands and
Wildlife and the Flint Hills, have national scenic byway status. In 2017, the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway overlook was dedicated. Located on K-4, the overlook is about eight miles east of Hoisington. From the scenic overlook, which sits atop 100-foot bluffs that circle the Cheyenne Bottoms basin on three sides, one can view the bottoms. The 10-foot viewing tower is reached by a series of handicapped-accessible ramps. A sidewalk leads to the site from the information kiosk and parking lot to the tower. More information on the Bottoms can be found at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area office, 56 NE 40 Rd., Great Bend or www.kdwp.state.ks.us. One can also call the Education Center at 620-566-1456 or cjwolf@ fhsu.edu.
