Women in prairie with wildflowers

Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research

Our vision: To lead scientific discovery that fosters broad appreciation of the vital interactions between humans and the environment.

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Research and services

People wearing hats working in field

Ecosystems research

Our group of labs focusing on a wide range of ecosystems research in Kansas and beyond
Ecosystems labs
Cone-shaped soil sample with person's hands in plastic gloves holding knife to take smaller sample from cone

INVAM collection

The world's largest living collection of important symbiotic microbes
INVAM website
Monarch butterflies on shrub

Monarch Watch

KU's internationally known research, education and monarch butterfly tracking program
Monarch Watch website

Kansas Biological Survey programs

Researcher wearing gloves sits beside algae-green lake and dips hand into water

Aquatic assessment

Our group of labs focusing on the health of our region's streams and reservoirs
Aquatic assessment labs
Purple prairie clover in meadow with woman walking in background

Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory

The Kansas representative for NatureServe, which tracks North American biodiversity
Heritage Inventory information
Portion of KARS Green Report map showing varying vegetation across Midwest

Kansas Applied Remote Sensing

Environmental and ag applications of remote sensing technology, with interactive maps
KARS website
Aerial view of greenhouses

The KU Field Station

In addition to our focus on terrestrial, aquatic and geospatial research, we manage the University's biological field station. Founded in 1947, the KU Field Station has grown to 3,200 acres across three sites and welcomes all researchers. The 1,650-acre core research area, just 20 minutes from main campus, is open the entire KU community for study in any subject and includes five miles of public trails.

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Our impact in 2024

Economic
Employment at at our research center contributed 202 jobs; $5.4 million in labor income; and $6 million in value added to the Kansas economy. This resulted in $1.3 million in tax revenue, including $250,000 in revenue for the state of Kansas.
Research
Our scientists carried out 65 active research projects that totaled $17 million in active funding to KU. Their work addresses the long-term viability of natural ecosystems and agricultural land, clean water, reservoir health, emergency preparedness and more.
Outreach
Our researchers and staff led 50 unique outreach events, in addition to 33 community events held through KU Field Station public programming, with 2,000 total participants. We also took part in 16 external events in Kansas with 3,100 total attendees.
Yellow silflower blooming in greenhouse-like structure with researchers in background

2024 Annual Report

With $17 million in funding in 2024, our researchers worked to enhance soil health, understand what drives harmful algal blooms, assist the state with flood emergency preparedness, predict future ecosystems based on current grasslands and forests, and more.

See the report

Young researchers gathered around a table of plants in greenhouse

Donate

Want to support ecological research, teaching and outreach? Make an unrestricted donation or choose your area of giving. Give online or get in touch.

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Quick links, frequent contacts & service centers

Friday Ecology Seminars

We host weekly seminars, open to the public, during the spring and fall terms. Join the mailing list for notifications and reminders of upcoming seminars. See our current schedule and visit our YouTube channel for video recordings of talks.

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Upcoming & previous talks

News

Group of people standing in a line facing camera in prairie setting with milkweed blooming in foreground.

Kansas science teachers to take part in KU Field Station immersive program June 24–26

Ten secondary school science teachers from Kansas will take part in the Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute, an immersive program that gives secondary educators the chance to work with KU scientists to explore resources and gain new ideas for their classrooms.
Group tour at large row of native bee balm in research garden

Annual summer solstice tour of KU medicinal garden planned June 20

The public is invited to the summer semiannual tour of the University of Kansas Native Medicinal Plant Research Garden at 7 p.m. June 20, the summer solstice.
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Collage of Zarko Boskovic, Francesco Carota, Eungsik Kim, Kelly Kindscher, Ian Lewis, and Erik Perrins: 2025-2026 Big 12 Professorship awardees

KU professors awarded Big 12 Faculty Fellowships for 2025-2026 academic year

Six KU faculty members have been selected to participate in the Big 12 Faculty Fellowship over the summer and the upcoming academic year. These scholars will visit and collaborate with faculty and students across the Big 12 Conference.
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Stay up to date with our research & activities

Understanding Our Environment is a quarterly newsletter celebrating the discoveries and activities of the scientists, staff, students and colleagues of the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research—as well as happenings at the University of Kansas Field Station.
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Events

Resources for our researchers, staff & students

The full page of resources includes information and contacts on a wide of variety of office procedures, as well as KU contacts. Two direct links are provided here to help you get contact information quickly in urgent situations.

Resources page