Natural Resources

Forest Management

Kansas Forest Service

The Kansas Forest Service (KSFS) provides expertise and resources for managing forested lands, including agroforestry, windbreaks, and urban forestry. They offer educational programs, tree-planting initiatives, and technical assistance to landowners interested in enhancing forest health and sustainability

Rural Forestry Program

Participating in the Rural Forestry Program connects landowners with professional foresters who provide various services and on-site visits to help landowners identify and accomplish the natural resource management objectives for their property.

Douglas Co. Rural District Forester: 785-473-6433

Rural Forestry Program Website

Conservation Tree Program

The Kansas Forest Service’s Conservation Tree Planting Program offers tree and shrub seedlings and other items for conservation plantings. Plantings may function as wildlife habitats, windbreaks, wood lots, timber plantations, or educational and riparian plantings. Order a minimum of 25 trees online or by calling 1-888-740-8733

Conservation Tree Program Website

Hunting

Contact the KS Dept. of Wildlife and Parks for information on hunting regulations and permitting or for hunter education courses.

KS Dept. of Wildlife and Parks, Region 2 Office

  • Phone: 785-273-6740
  • Address: 300 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66606

Applications and Fees

Private Landowner Assistance

Hunting Regulations

Hunter Education

Native Vegetation Establishment and Management

Several agencies can assist landowners in establishing stands of native vegetation or improving remnant prairies.

Douglas County Conservation District

  • Phone: 785-843-4260 ext. 6500
  • Address: 4920 Bob Billings Parkway, Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66049
  • Website: www.douglasccd.com

The DCCD can provide a no-till drill for rent and native seed for purchase. One can find the District’s comprehensive tool designed to help small acreage landowners evaluate the condition of their property and identify methods for managing and enhancing the land at http://www.douglasccd.com/steps-for-small-acreage.html

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Region 2 Office

  • Phone: 785-273-6740
  • Address: 300 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66606

Region 2 Wildlife Biologist

  • Phone: 913-422-1314
  • Address: 8304 Hedge Lane Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66227

Cost-share and technical assistance through the Habitat First Program.

K-State Extension – Douglas County

KSE-Douglas County can provide technical advice and guidance.

Monarch Watch

Free milkweeds for large-scale (two acres or more) native habitat restoration only.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

  • Phone: 785-843-4260 ext 3
  • Address: 4920 Bob Billings Parkway, Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66049

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides cost-share and technical assistance for agricultural producers

Streams, Riparian Corridors and Wetlands

(For pond management, see Ponds)

Douglas County Conservation District

  • Phone: 785-843-4260 ext. 6500
  • Address: 4920 Bob Billings Parkway, Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66049
  • Website: www.douglasccd.com

The Douglas County Conservation District provides financial assistance for conservation practices, including erosion and sediment control, riparian area protection, and wetland development and restoration. You can find the District’s comprehensive tool designed to help small acreage landowners evaluate the condition of their property and identify methods for managing and enhancing the land at http://www.douglasccd.com/steps-for-small-acreage.html

Upper Wakarusa WRAPS - Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies

KAWS works to conserve and restore wetlands, streams, and riparian areas in Kansas. They provide technical assistance, grant opportunities, and educational resources to landowners interested in enhancing water resources and wildlife habitat. Upper Wakarusa WRAPS offers financial and technical consultation for landowners, farmers, and ranchers related to clean water. This includes funding for livestock watering systems, livestock feeding pads, rotational grazing infrastructure, exclusion fencing, permanent vegetation establishment, cover crop plantings, buffer plantings, and other agricultural projects related to watershed health.

Wildlife

Property owners may want to enhance wildlife habitat and/or control nuisance wildlife. Agencies that can assist with wildlife habitat enhancement and nuisance wildlife:

KS Dept. of Wildlife and Parks - Private Landowner Assistance

Region 2 Office

Region 2 Wildlife Biologist

  • Phone: 913-422-1314
  • Address: 8304 Hedge Lane Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66227

K-State Extension

K-State Extension – Douglas County

Pheasants and Quail Forever

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