Pages 1-19, 23-24 KWF Honors 2013 Conservation

KANSAS WILDLIFEFEDERATIONOfficers andBoard of DirectorsThe Kansas Wildlife Federationpromotes hunting and fishingopportunities and associatedrecreation for the benefitof all hunters, anglers andconservationists.KWF supports the sustainable useand management of fishand wildlife and their habitatsthrough education, partnerships,outreach and policy oversight.Director at Large:Elby Adamson1838 12th RdClay Center, KS 67432Home: 785-632-5986E-mail: elbyadamson@yahoo.comDirector at Large:Carl Conley320 S. 2ndClearwater, KS 67206-9454Home: 620-584-2733Cell: 620-641-3026E-mail: conleyfam@sktc.netDirector at Large:Cindy Higgins1023 ElmEudora, KS 66028Home: 785-542-2606E-mail: cinhiggins@yahoo.comDirector at Large:Randy Kidd16879 46th St.McLouth, KS 66054Home: 785-863-3425E-mail: drrkidd@gmail.comDirector at Large:Jim Strine1900 Fort St.Hays, KS 67601-4304Home: 785-625-8940E-mail: jstrine@ksu.eduDirector at Large:David Zumbaugh15507 W. 61st TerraceShawnee, KS 66217-9692Cell: 913-302-4177E-mail: david zumbaugh@hotmail.comCHANGE OF ADDRESSPlease send your mailing label andnew address, clearly printed. Allow 2to 6 weeks for the change to be made.Send to:Kansas Wildlife Federation NewsletterP.O. Box 771282Wichita, KS 67277-1282Kansas Wildlife Federation Page 4Can you help?Outdoor Adventure Camp is anongoing project of KWF, run strictlyby volunteers who feel strongly thatyoungsters need to have an opportunityto learn more about the great outdoors!Volunteer counselors are needed tospend a week or even just a few dayssupervising youngsters. We prefer acounselor for every 8 to 10 youngsters.That means for 50 kids, usually about40 boys and 10 girls, we need 4 to 5male counselors and 1 to 2 females.In the past, we’ve had parents attendwith their youngsters, grandparents,college students wanting to get into thecounseling or camp administration field,teachers and people interested in helping children. We prefer college studentswho have an interest in working withkids- an internship may be worked outwith instructors. We also have a fewopenings for junior counselors as well.You must be at least 18 years of age.Who wouldn’t like to spend a weekwith 50, 10 to 12 year-olds—tryingto get them to sleep, keeping them inline all day and nursing cuts, bruises,poison ivy—helping kids have a greatsummer outdoor experience?! You’llbe ready to go home and relax whenit’s over. Moreover, it won’t cost you adime, except for the gas to get to camp.Seriously, it is a rewarding experience.Please consider helping out. Call me toget your name on the list.This camp is funded primarilythrough fees collected from those attending. Outdoor Writers of Kansas provides scholarships for participants fromthe Big Brothers/Big Sisters programeach year. Sportsman’s groups throughout Kansas often fund local youngstersto provide scholarships to help withthe cost. KWF volunteers donate atremendous amount of time and money.We welcome any donations or fundingideas to improve the program.Anyone who wants to present aprogram at camp should call me. We’realways looking for new ideas. OutdoorAdventure Camp is for youngsters, andthey come first! It takes a lot of work bya number of volunteers to make it a positive learning experience. Can you help?Call Theresa Berger at 785-526-7466 ore-mail her at bergkwf@wtciweb.com.Affiliate NewsGCF&GA Marchmembership meetingGCF&GA Triple E Daysneeds your helpGeary County Fish & Game Association could not hold its Februarymembership meeting due to weatherconditions. Their March meeting wasForty Years of Hunter Education,celebrated with a wild game dinner. Areview of GCF&GA’s input in HunterEducation was covered by Ed Augustine, GCF&GA’s President and anupdate on current efforts was presented by Kent Barrett, KDWPT’s H.E.Coordinator from Pratt. Past and present hunter education volunteers wererecognized. Students of GCF&GA’sclasses of the past 40 years sharedtheir memories. The meeting concluded with a BB gun fun shoot.Chris Blodgett is still in need ofvolunteers to assist with the Environmental Education Enhancement(Triple E) program held each springat the GCF&GA’s Sportsman’s Acresrange and the KDWPT”S Milford FishHatchery. This is a week-long event thatinvolves all of the 5th Grade studentsin USD 475 (Junction City). The clubcan use your help! The program is heldApril 28-May 2, 2014. Chris is thecoordinator for the Triple E programthis year. Volunteers can assist all weekor partial periods of time. If you areinterested and can assist, contact ChrisBlodgett at 785-375-2714, or stop bythe Sportsman’s Acres during normaloperating hours.— By Cynthia AhlersFollow Geary County Fish & Game Association, Inc. on Facebook sociation

2014 Outdoor Adventure Camp:A summer treat for youngstersOutdoor Adventure Camp (OAC) isa six-day summer camp for kids whoeither enjoy the outdoors or want tolearn more about it. This conservationeducation program is co-sponsored bythe Kansas Wildlife Federation andKSU Cooperative Extension Service.This will be the 26th anniversary forthis popular camp and educational opportunity.If you are a Kansas youngsterwho enjoys the outdoors, now is thetime to make plans to attend OutdoorAdventure Camp from Sunday, June1 through Friday, June 6 at the CampWaShunGa area of Rock SpringsRanch, just south of Junction City. Thecamp is open to boys and girls ages 10to 12 this summer.Mornings will be spent traipsingthe grounds at Camp WaShunGa withinstructors, getting a hands-on feelfor how various critters and plantslive together in the ecosystem we callKansas. Afternoons are spent learningabout several areas of the outdoors,including mammals, insects, birds, fishand amphibians and reptiles. Ecology,wetlands, riparian areas and watershedsare some terms you will learn about atthis unique camp.Since the prairie does not go to sleepat sundown, neither will you. Depending on the evening, you may be out andabout prowling for owls, stargazing,spotlighting spiders or watching batsgobble bugs.Other activities include scavengerhunts, water sports including swimming and canoeing, fishing, shootingsports including rifle, shotgun, archery, and pellet gun. You’ll pick yourchoices, or participate in all if you like.The price of the camp includes allfood, instruction and lodging. A swimsuit, sleeping gear and clothes you’llwear for a week are about all you needto bring. Sunscreen, insect repellent, acap and water bottle also will come inhandy. The price for the entire week is 300, which includes arts and crafts.You may want to bring a little moneyfor snacks and souvenirs at MilfordHatchery and Nature Center. SpaceNameAge SexAddressCounty PhoneParents’ Names & Day/night Phone Numbers:FatherMotherGroup Picture Order 10.00 EachPlease include payment with camp fee.T-shirt: (Adult Sizes)Size: SM Med. LG XL XL(T-shirts included in Craft Fee)Full 300 fee with application due May 27. Refundonly upon written notice of cancellation prior to May 27.No reductions or refunds for late arrivals or early departures.Make check payable to the Kansas Wildlife Federation(KWF)Call 785-526-7466 for details or send application withpayment:Outdoor Adventure CampC/o Theresa Berger406 S. New York Ave.Sylvan Grove, KS 67481E-mail: bergkwf@wtciweb.comis limited and registration deadline isMay 27.Send your application and fullfee to Outdoor Adventure Camp, c/oTheresa Berger, 406 S. New YorkAve., Sylvan Grove, KS 67481.Checks should be made payable tothe Kansas Wildlife Federation. Ifyou need more information or anapplication, phone 785-526-7466.Evenings are best, or leave a messageon the machine. You can also go tothe KWF website www.kswildlife.orgfor an application form.Kansas Wildlife Federation Page 5

Conservationist of the YearTed AlexanderAncora imparo (I am still learning)is the philosophy by which rancher TedAlexander of Sun City lives and works.He reminds his fellow ranchers and others that he doesn’t have it all figured out,but he has the passion to push onward toimprove.Ted’s ranch covers 7,000 acres in theheart of the Red Hills in Barber County,located in the Comanche Pool area just afew miles north of the Oklahoma-Kansasline.His ranch has flourished as a customgrazing operation for nearly 30 years.However, this was not so when he beganmanaging and operating the ranch in1984. Alexander, who affectionately refers to his occupation as “a used sunlightsalesman”, will tell you that the ranchwas an “Over-grazed, under-utilized,under-watered, cedar forest ranch”.Often stocking between 500-700 cow/calf pairs or 2500 yearlings, the operation runs on a rotational grazing method.Stocker cattle are custom grazed duringthe spring and early summer. When beneficial to the management of stockpiledforage, Alexander custom grazes cattleduring the winter.Ted cleared all the hilltops of cedartrees, resulting in water returning to thecreeks. “The forage resource is in excellent shape on those hilltops, and now I’mconcentrating on the riparian areas toimprove the habitat for multiple species,”Ted said.Alexander installed practices recommended by NRCS, such as cross fencing,ponds, and other water developments.Environmental enhancements to the landinclude removal of invasive Eastern RedCedar trees, development of livestockwater sources, improvement of forageproductivity, and increasing the nativeplant and wildlife diversity. All of theseenhancements and more were completedwhile accomplishing one overarchinggoal: maintaining a profitable and viableranch business.The ranch is divided into three grazingcells, each consisting of smaller paddocks of acreage. The paddock systemutilized by the Alexander Ranch hasKansas Wildlife Federation Page 6Ted Alexander, from Sun City (center), was awarded the 2013 Conservationist of the Year award. Mr. Alexander accepted the award fromTroy Schroeder (left), Kansas Wildlife Federation President. Also present is Ted’s son, Brian Alexander. Photo by Angela Anderson.allowed them to continually improve thepastures and to operate with the environment in mind. Cattle thrive because ofthe range improvements and stewardshippractices. In addition, the ranch has enhanced and developed several innovativewater systems.In recent years out of necessity andfor energy efficiency, Alexander hasinstalled an extensive livestock-watersystem that uses solar energy. The solarpowered pumps carry water from a pondto a storage tank. The water then floesto tanks as needed. Solar energy alsopowers energizers for electric fences thatset the grazing cell boundaries neededfor his Management Intensive GrazingSystem.The culmination of AlexanderRanch’s grazing lands managementpractices has continued to an increaseof stocking rates of over 100% from the1984 level, maintained individual animalperformance, and increased the poundsof beef produced per acre while uphold-ing the management goals to improvewater quality, water quantity, soil health,and native rangelands.“Drought-proof your ranch as thoroughly as possible before it quits raining”, are the first words in Alexander’sdrought plan that he follows faithfully.”Ted also suggests to “Hope for the best,and plan for the worst!”Although Alexander is recognizedfor his stewardship and environmentalpractices on the ranch, he is certainlyappreciated for his eagerness to share hisknowledge and experience with others.With an art-educator’s background anda love for the ranching business, Ted Alexander never misses an opportunity tolead, teach, and mentor, especially youngranchers.In recognition of his extensive accomplishments and contributions, the KansasWildlife Federation is proud to award theConservationist of the Year for 2013 toTed Alexander.

Conservation LegislatorMarci FranciscoSenator Marci Francisco was firstelected to the Kansas Senate in 2004where she represents the state’s 2nd District. She has become one of the state’sleading advocates on women’s issues,the environment, and education.As ranking member of the Energy,Natural Resources and EnvironmentalInterim Committee, Senator Franciscoplayed a key role in crafting environmental legislation. “In the last severalyears, the legislature has had a realopportunity to make energy conservation improvements as we continue towork on deferred maintenance issues atKansas University and other Regentsschools,” said Senator Francisco. “Bystudying the action plans of other states,I hope the legislature can continue tomake solid recommendations to improvethe energy efficiency of our state buildings.”In addition to serving as Caucus Chairfor the Senate Democratic Caucus, Senator Francisco is Ranking Member of theSenate Agriculture Committee and theSenate Natural Resources Committee.She is also a member of the Ways andMeans Committee, the Joint Committeeon Arts and Cultural Resources, the Legislative Educational Planning Committee, the Joint Committee on Informationand Technology, and the Joint Committee on State Building Conservation.In 2008 she was appointed to theKEEP Advisory Group, an organizationtasked with reducing pollution while fostering economic growth, and in the sameyear she was awarded the Helen FlukerOpen and Accessible GovernmentAward by the Lawrence-Douglas CountyLeague of Women Voters, an organization of which she is also a member.Senator Francisco’s political inter-WINNERSContinued from Page 1cator.Back row, l to r: Mike Watkins ofLawrence, Wildlife Conservationist;Senator Marci Francisco, right, from Lawrence, receives the 2013 Conservation Legislator award from Troy Schroeder, Kansas Wildlife FederationPresident.ests include several conservation andenvironmental issues: She recognizes theeconomic impact of hunters and anglers, but she is especially appreciativeof their interest in the environment. “Ihave suggested to people that one of thebest things they can do to help conservewildlife is buy a hunting license,” Senator Francisco says.Senator Francisco believes that riparian habitats be maintained to protectreservoirs from siltation and pollution,and she is concerned about the impact ofaquatic nuisance species such as silvercarp and zebra mussels. Senator Francisco wants to ensure that the state of Kansas maintains adequate public lands forrecreation, and she hopes more peoplewill utilize the public park system. TheKansas Department of Transportation’sRoadside Management program is alsoone of Senator Francisco’s interests.Senator Francisco was originallyintroduced to the outdoors through GirlScouts campouts and summer camps,claiming with some pride that she didget her Marksman First Class in shooting. Today, Senator Francisco enjoyshiking, camping and biking. She hasridden on six-week long bike tours andparticipated in the Lawrence Octoginta.Senator Marci Francisco is an excellent and fitting recipient of the 2013Conservation Legislator of the Yearaward from the Kansas Wildlife Federation.Gib Rhodes of Emporia, representingthe Flint Hills Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Conservation Organization; Logan Fuller ofEmporia, Youth Conservationist; TedAlexander of Sun City, Conservationist of the Year; and Jessica Mounts ofCheney, Water Conservationist.Not pictured are: Bunnie Watkinsof Lawrence, Wildlife Conservationist; Dr. Phillip Barnes of Wamego,Stream Monitor; Glen and BarbaraWalker of Brookville, Farmer/Rancher Wildlife Conservationist; and Cynthia Rhodes of Whitewater, recipientof the President’s Award.Kansas Wildlife Federation Page 7

Conservation OrganizationFlint Hills Chapter of the NWTFThe 2013 Conservation OrganizationAward was presented to the Flint HillsChapter of the National Wild TurkeyFederation (NWTF), from Emporia.With Gib Rhodes as chairman, the FlintHills Chapter of NWTF has a long andimpressive list of accomplishments. Following are just a selected few of these,garnered in recent years: At the NWTF Kansas State AwardsBanquet, the Flint Hills Chapter received1st place in 2012 for most regular, Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics andSportsmanship (JAKES), and Womenin the Outdoors (WITO) memberships,along with Golden and Grand Gobblerawards. Continued being the largest NWTFKansas JAKES event with the bestSpring Turkey Hunting Clinic, whichwas increased to 7 learning stations. 12th year of their essay contestContinued on Page 9Gib Rhodes, right, from Emporia, receives the 2013 Organization of theYear award from Troy Schroeder, Kansas Wildlife Federation President.Gib is the Chairman of the Flint Hills Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the award recipient. Photo by Angela Anderson.Conservation CommunicatorBrent FrazeeFor more than three decades, BrentFrazee of Parkville, Missouri, has chronicled all aspects of outdoor sports andconservation for the Kansas City Star.While Missouri and Kansas are his primary haunts, he has also covered fishingand hunting throughout North America,from Alaska to Florida and beyond.The weekly fishing report on Thursday’s that he gathers is reliable, accurate,and followed closely by readers, in printand online. Once a Star Layout Editorpulled the report because of space, andphone lines lit up at the ombudsman’sdesk in complaint.He also writes Friday’s “OutdoorNotes” column that includes short features or general newsy tips and tidbits.But Brent’s main forte is the OutdoorPage that appears in the Sunday Sportssection. That page has a storied historyafter its founding and development byOutdoor Writers of America AssociationContinued on Page 10Kansas Wildlife Federation Page 8Brent Frazee, center, from Parkville, MO, receives the 2013 Conservation Communicator award from Troy Schroeder, Kansas Wildlife Federation President. Also present is Phil Taunton, right, representative of theEmporia Area Chapter of the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, whichsponsored the Conservation Communicator award.

Conservation EducatorRene GloshenRene Gloshen of Olathe teaches aclass at Olathe South High School calledStudent Naturalist. In the class studentsspend the year learning how to identifymany Kansas arthropods, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, alongwith the natural history of the species.Students research and write a paper onthe natural history of an animal speciesthey have selected; in the winter theyparticipate in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Great Backyard Bird Count;and, they compete in the NortheastKansas Regional EcoMeet (this year’steam won the state’s EcoMeet, postingrecord-breaking scores). Each year, Mrs.Gloshen takes a group of her students onthe Kansas Herpetological Society fieldtrip. Throughout the year, students learnto appreciate and understand the delicatebalance in the Kansas ecosystem andleave the class much more aware of theimportance of Kansas wildlife.Mrs. Gloshen’s students are also givenhands-on learning about how to respectthe needs and behaviors of animalsby taking care of them and handlingthem when necessary. Students are alsoNWTFContinued from Page 8ended with the 12th youth in a row getting their turkey! Committee memberKohl Prose was the winner. Sponsored the Kansas Departmentof Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) Melvern Wildlife Area 1st AnnualYouth Spring Turkey Hunt. Received extra scholarship moneyfrom the McJunkin family in the name ofFran Sattler for 10 years total! The FlintHills Chapter gave two 500 scholarships. (Dalton Meyer & Megan Hilbish) The chapter sponsored & assistedwith the KDWPT Archery Day at Eisenhower State Park. Held the 18th Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet. Continued to sponsor the LyonCounty 4-H Shotgun Shooting Sportsteam which finished 2nd place in theRene Gloshen, right, from Olathe, receives the 2013 Conservation Educator award from Troy Schroeder, Kansas Wildlife Federation President.Westar Energy, Inc., of Topeka, sponsored the Conservation Educatoraward. Photo by Ted Beringer.involved in “Animal Talks”, a programwhere her students share the knowledgethey have accumulated in class withelementary school students, Cub Scouts,and church groups. In 2013, approximately 2,500 children had the experiencestate! Hosted our 1st & 2nd Trap ShootingJAKES events at the Madison Gun Club. Partnered for the first time with BigBrothers & Big Sisters and PheasantsForever on a youth Fishing Day at LyonState Fishing Lake. Partnered with the KDWPTMelvern WA to mentor around 35 youthdove shooters! Repeated as the only Five StarProgram Award Local Chapter winnersin Kansas and one of the few across theUSA! Hosted for the 3rd year in a rowthe 2013 NWTF Kansas State JAKESCamp. For the second year in a row, theKansas State JAKES Camp, which theyhost, won a NWTF National award presented at the NWTF National Convention in Nashville, TN. Sent Mark Osmundson to the 2014NWTF National Convention. Partnered with the Flint HillsNational Wildlife Refuge on a youthwaterfowl hunt. Participated with the KDWPTMelvern WA for a tree planting projectfunded with NWTF Kansas Super Fundmoney. Gave a Wild About Turkeys Education box to the Madison High SchoolECO team. Awards presented this year: JessicaHess, Olpe High School, Teacher of theYear; Jim Pitman, Biologist of the Yearaward; Phil Tauton, National WildlifeFederation Volunteer of the Year award;JAKE of the Year award to DakotaOrender. They continue to be the state leaderin JAKES memberships, 200 memberssigned up this year!The Kansas Wildlife Federation isproud to present the 2013 ConservationOrganization of the Year award to FlintHills Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), from Emporia.Continued on Page 11Kansas Wildlife Federation Page 9

Water ConservationistJessica MountsJessica Mounts of Cheney has shownunparalleled le

Mar 06, 2014 · Wichita, KS 67277-1282 Business: 785-650-3182 Fax: 316-755-2239 E-mail: info@kswildlife.org Website: www.kswildlife.org KWF OFFICERS President: Troy Schroeder 1785 CR 390 Albert, KS 67511 Home: 785-650-3182 E-mail: troyas@gbta.net Immediate Past President: Don Snider 2319 W. 60th North Wichita