Land Stewardship
Building a home and living in a rural setting embraces unique advantages as well as challenges. Douglas County Extension strives to provide prospective and current property owners with the information and resources they need to manage their land for health, safety, sustainability, and enjoyment.
Resource Guide
This below document is a resource guide for those living or planning to live in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Topics range from animal control to pond management to zoning codes. All the agencies and organizations referenced in this document are committed to the health, safety, and welfare of Douglas County residents and the land they care for. It is designed to help prospective and current property owners find the information and resources to manage their land for health, safety, sustainability, and enjoyment.
Additional Resources
Habitat First land stewardship practices - a series of brochures describing many different land management practices for improving wildlife habitat and natural areas.
Pond Management (see under 'Pond Management' tab)
Septic systems:
Site and Soil Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Systems - provides information to sanitarians, contractors, and owners on locating new domestic wastewater treatment systems with respect to site and soil conditions.
Landscaping Septic Systems (Univ. of Minnesota Extension)
Landscaping Over Septic Systems with Native Plants (Purdue Extension)
Streams and wetlands
Riparian and Wetlands Program, KS Dept. of Agriculture
Willow Cuttings - erosion control strategy, KS Forest Service
Water sources and storage
Wells
The Extension office can provide a test kit that can be sent to a private lab for analysis. The test kit itself is free, but there is a cost to mail the kit to the lab and for the water analysis.
The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Dept. can inspect wells and collect water samples to screen for bacteria nitrates. Contact ehinfo@ldchealth.org.
Private Well Maintenance and Protection
Weed and Brush Management
Brush and Weed Control in Pasture and Rangeland
Noxious weeds - link to Dg. Co. Public Works for information, rental equipment, and chemicals
Windbreaks
Windbreaks for Kansas - KS Forest Service
Windbreaks for Wildlife - KS Forest Service