Overview of Natural and Scientific Areas in Kansas

Abstract

In 1974 the Kansas legislature passed the Natural and Scientific Areas Preservation Act and in 1985 transferred responsibility for administration of the Act to the Kansas Biological Survey. The Act was originally drafted by members of the Committee on Conservation of the Kansas Academy of Science and carried through the legislature, both in 1974 and as amended in 1985, by then State Representative Mike Hayden. The purpose of the Act is to .. secure for the people of Kansas the benefits of an enduring resource of natural and scientific areas by establishing a system of natural and scientific preserves. .. . The Kansas Biological Survey with the guidance of an Advisory Board also created by the Act is endeavoring to establish such a system. The types of areas being considered for preservation are outlined in the Act and consist of Biological, Geological and Archaeological areas. Five categories of Biological Areas are presently being considered for preservation. Geological and Archaeological areas also have distinct categories, but in the context of the Symposium, are not being described. The Biological categories are: I--Ecological Area (high quality undisturbed terrestrial, aquatic or wetland natural community); II--Endangered Species Habitat (habitat containing endangered species); III--Relict Species Habitat (habitat containing relict species); IV--Scientific Study Area (nature preserve or land that is managed and used for natural science studies); V-Unique Area (an area or habitat that possesses a unique assemblage of species or other natural qualities unique in or to Kansas). The Biological Survey and the Advisory Board have adopted guidelines to use to evaluate all areas considered for enrollment in the system of natural areas. Some guidelines are specific for a particular type of area being considered while others are general, applying to all areas. The general guidelines are: (1) Availability of the area for acquisition or dedication; (2) Size of the area for reasonable self-sufficiency or management at a reasonable cost; (3) Availability of an institution, agency, individual, etc., willing and capable of managing the area; (4) Availability of a buffer zone around the area; (5) The potential of the area for educational or inspirational public use; (6) Other potential uses of the area if not preserved. The identification, evaluation and enrollment of natural areas throughout Kansas is a formidable task; therefore, the Biological Survey and Advisory