One thing the hundreds of people who came together at Rock Springs 4-H Camp near Junction City had in common was a love of the Kansas Flint Hills and a desire to see the last remaining Tallgrass Prairie in North America preserved.
They came from Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Native American tribes to talk about the future of the prairie and meeting the challenges of preserving.
The day brought discussions of invasive threats such as Eastern Red Cedar, Serecia lespedeza and Old World Bluestem grass and of promising ventures to increase awareness such as tourist attractions and the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.
This slideshow offers a snapshot of both the summit and some of those Flint Hills attractions.
The day brought discussions of invasive threats such as Eastern Red Cedar, Serecia lespedeza and Old World Bluestem grass and of promising ventures to increase awareness such as tourist attractions and the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.
TALKING FLINT HILLS
A crowd of hundreds gathered at Rock Springs 4-H Camp to hear speakers talk about challenges facing the Flint Hills. The afternoon was devoted to coming up with ideas for future efforts to preserve the scenic area which is the last of the once vast Tallgrass Prairie in North America.
NATIONAL PARK
The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is now a national park. The Preserve is located at the former Spring Hill ranch near Strong City. It includes a visitor's center which opened a year ago, as well as the preserved Spring Hill Ranch House, barn and other outbuildings, 11,000 acres of native prairie with trails, a herd of bison and a one-room country schoolhouse.
HISTORIC BARN
The historic barn at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is open year-round to visitors.
TRAIL DAYS CAFÉ
The Trail Days Café in Council Grove is housed in the historic Terwilliger House, an 1861 limestone house that was once the last house passed by wagon trains on their way out of Council Grove on the Santa Fe Trail. In the photo are Chloe Goerzen, left, and her sister, Alyssa. They are granddaughters of Kansas Farmer editor, P.J. Griekspoor and attended the Flint Hills Summit.
HISTORICAL FOCUS
Several exhibits depicting life in the 1860s and 1870s are housed in the upstairs of the historic Terwillinger House in Council Grove. The Trail Days Café is on the lower level.