Conseil Prairie Biological Station proposes $10K for new visitor signage

The Geary County Meeting held on December 16, 2024, focused on several key agenda items, including a motion regarding a contract with Kansas State University and discussions about the Kanza Prairie Biological Station's new visitor pavilion.

The meeting commenced with a motion to approve the recommendation for using KSU cream for the TVP business, allowing the director to sign the contract. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

Following this, Jill Hocus, the director of education at the Kanza Prairie Biological Station, presented exciting developments regarding the facility. She introduced the new 2025 visitor guide for Kansas, which prominently features Kanza Prairie. Hocus highlighted the construction of a new visitors pavilion, which aims to enhance the experience for the 30,000 to 45,000 annual visitors from across the United States and abroad.

Hocus requested assistance in funding signage for the pavilion and the surrounding trail system, emphasizing the importance of providing informative displays about the Flint Hills' history, flora, and fauna. She announced plans to submit a tourism signage application to the state, advocating for an exit sign on I-70 to direct visitors to Kanza Prairie.

Additionally, Hocus sought a sponsorship of $10,000, which would be permanently recognized at the pavilion. The board members expressed interest in reviewing the proposed signage before making a decision on the sponsorship. They acknowledged the significance of Kanza Prairie as a visitor destination and discussed the need for increased participation from board members in future meetings.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further discussions in January regarding the sponsorship and the design of the signage, with the goal of having the pavilion open to the public by April 1, 2025. Overall, the meeting underscored the collaborative efforts to enhance the visitor experience at Kanza Prairie and promote tourism in Geary County.