Great Plains Nature Center, Tuesday June 9, 2026
After a late morning, and another nice stretch of time spent at Watermark Books, we headed for the Great Plains Nature Center. This was a building adjacent to the Parks Department building on Chisholm Creek Park. Meg had been here before. She said it was small, but really informative.
The grounds are huge. The park is a Wichita Wild Habitat, and features Kansas native habitats. There are over 2 miles of paved trails roaming through it, and the greenery is lush and matured. I would really like to explore more of the trails, but this was not the trip. I’ve attached a map of the grounds. The whole place feels spacious, and with the wind blowing, it was very pleasant.
We looked around outside a little bit, then headed in. The museum part of the nature center as small, but very informative. They really lived up to their Vision Statements: ‘To inspire stewardship of the natural world through exceptional experiences to benefit future generations’. I’m glad we came when we did, as they are about to close for renovations. The new building will take about a year, then another year will be spent updating the exhibits. It should be amazing when it is completed. At least the park will still be open. Some pictures of the park below. Many more at the end of the post!
I learned a lot of things I didn’t know. For instance, I was unaware that all of the water we have ever had, or ever will have is already on this earth. No new water is ever made, and no water has ever been destroyed. It just evaporates and cycles back into the clouds and drops as rain. I had no idea!
I also learned that Kansas is awash in rivers. The Center had a terrific map of the state showing all the rivers, streams and lakes. Meg mentioned that several lakes were man made, but the sheer number of waterways surprised me. I hope the attached map shows the detail.
I also learned about mussels. Mussels are the filters of water. I did know that. I did not know that a mussel is a parasite for the 1-25 weeks on a fish. Once it drops off to grow on the lake or stream bed, it can live up to 100 years. I’ll think about that next time I eat mussels.
The Center also had an exhibit on bird calls. It was interesting to hear how distinct they all are. Meg and I have a friend who is an avid birder, and it would have been fun to blindfold her and see which she identified. Probably all. There were also some live birds, and some really cool turtles.
The exhibit that most fascinated me was the exhibit on the Tall Grasses. When I was last here in Wichita, Meg and I went out to the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve in the Flint Hills. I was hoping to go back, but I think we’ll leave that for the next time. The grasses can grow quite high – sometimes up to 9 feet, with a root system just as deep. This allows them to withstand droughts as well as fires.
The exhibit went on to talk about fire on the prairie. Lightning strikes can sweep across hundreds of square acres. Between the ever-present wind and the dry conditions, miles could burn. Rivers, streams or overgrazed grasslands would be the only things that could stop it. But the most interesting thing about fire in the prairie is that is actually doesn’t do a lot of harm. Per the information at the exhibit, wildlife can escape it, grass will survive because of the deep root systems, and fire releases nutrients from dead plant material, which feeds the next generation of growth.
But even more interesting was the impact that the huge herds of buffalo on the prairies. The buffalo kept the grasslands in check because they were avid grazers. The hooves aerated the soil helping with new growth. They also reduced the grass lands, helping reduce fires, and buffalo droppings fertilized the soil. At one time, the prairie was almost the perfect eco system.
Wind was also discussed in the exhibit. The exhibit pointed out that winds on the Great Plains blow harder and more consistently than in any inland portion of the United States.
The last thing that was highlighted was the Cottonwood tree. This is one of the few trees that can survive the drought periods and episodes of fire on the prairie. I was really interested in this, as my niece has been studying the lifecycle of the Long Leaf Pine in college. The Long Leaf Pine’s seeds have to be released from the cone by fire. So again, fire is important in the eco system. The cottonwood indicated the presence of water on the prairie, can grow as tall as 100 feet, and can survive as long as 120 years.
Another tree, the Bur Oak, is the hardiest of the trees found on the Great Plains. In it’s first year, it will put down several feet of taproot while only producing at shoot 12 inches high. So even if the stem dies in a fire, the rootstock has already formed a solid base below, and can always send up a new stock.
I’m forever fascinated by the prairie land, and the mix of grasses and eco system. This is a current map of the mix of grasses on the prairie land today. Meg has told me that there is still controlled burning in the Flint Hills to burn off weeds, and leave the tall grass.
As I said, this park and Nature Center ais a real gem. I’m really glad that I was able to see it before they close for renovation. I’ll be ready to go see it when it reopens.
Finally, the last thing we did tonight was go to a potluck with some of Meg’s colleagues. And I saw Lightening Bugs! It was really fun to see, and they are incredibly bright!
I head home tomorrow. This has been a really fantastic trip, but I’m looking forward to getting back home.
