Central Kansas Raptor Rehab Education Facility (KS)

The center will focus on rehabilitating injured raptors and educating groups about the impact humans have on habitats. Their mission is to encourage wise use of our natural resources with a primary focus on educational programs designed for elementary school children. Naturalists will deliver interpretive programs for visitors during weekdays with flighted bird programs on weekends.

Directions

For directions, check under Navigation in Before You Go."

Cheyenne Bottoms Scenic Overlook (KS)

This overlook provides the only elevated view of the entire Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands basin. It provides the traveler with their first exposure to the vastness of prairie wetlands and will be the first point of wetlandsinterpretation on the Byway. The site will include an observation area, picnic tables, and interpretive kiosk.

Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area (KS)

The Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks operates 19,857 acres of the Bottoms as a wildlife management area. Nature enthusiasts, hikers, birdwatchers and photographers will marvel at the wildife and flora that depend on the marshland. Cheyenne Bottoms provides critical habitat for threatened and endangered birds. Besides birds, there are 23 species ofmammals, 19 species of reptiles, and 9 species of amphibians.

Kansas Wetlands Interpretive/Educational Center (KS)

The center will tell the story of the Kansas Wetlands complex through a theme of "motion and change". Interpretation will be told from five key areas: people, wildlife, weather, geology, and wildfire. The difference between Cheyenne Bottoms as a fresh water marsh and Quivira as a salt water march will be explored. Visitors may experience a board walk through the mitigation marsh as well as a short wildlife trail through the adjoining shelter belt area.

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (KS)

Quivira is 22,135 acres of prairie grasses, salt marshes, sand dunes, canals, dikes, and timber. A system of 21 miles of canals and 25 miles of dikes provides nearly 6,000 acres of managed wetland and marshes. Little Salt Marsh and Big Salt Marsh are ancient basins that have seen hundreds of thousands of waterfowl arrive for food, cover, and a place torest on migration trips. Original prairie, stabilized sand dunes and 15 acres of century old cottonwoods encourage walks.

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Drive (KS)

The four-mile Wildlife Drive, at the north end of the Refuge, offers wildlife watching opportunities and views of the Big Salt Marsh and surrounding habitats. An accessible spotting scope is provided to assist visitors in watching wildlife.

The starting point of the Wildlife Drive is located directly on the Byway at Point 33 on the Scenic Byway map. While traveling east on NE 140th Street along the Byway there will be a directional sign located at the entrance of the drive within the refuge property on the only road heading north.

The Nature Conservancy Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve (KS)

The Nature Conservancy owns and manages more than 7,300 acres of critical wetlands in the midst of this world-class natural wonder. These shallow marshes - averaging less than one foot deep - are ideal habitatsfor wading shorebirds. The Conservancy seeks to preserve and maintain these vital wetlands so that the multitudes of migrating birds, which have relied on this great marsh for thousands of years, may continue to find safe haven.

Urban Songbird Habitat Project (KS)

The Hoisington High School Environmental science class, along with the City of Hoisington, continues to develop a songbird habitat on an empty lot devastated by the 2001 Hoisington tornado. The 2004-2005 class, along with Rob Penner, manager of The Nature Conservancy Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve, developed a design and placement of plants and trees that are known to attract songbirds and that provide food and shelter. Their plans include a drip irrigation system to ensure the plants and trees receive water throughout the hot summer months, a walking trail, a small pond, a gazebo and park benches, bird baths, and bird feeders. The park is a "living laboratory"; the class monitors what types of birds the park attracts, as well as other animals and insects. Currently, the gazebo is almost done and benches have been placed along the walking trail. The brick walking trail is done, so explore the progress that has been made thus far.

Directions

At the intersection of Highway K-4 & Center Street turn south for seven blocks and then turn west two blocks on 2nd Street.