Haskell-Baker Wetlands facts for kids
The Haskell-Baker Wetlands is a special outdoor area in Kansas. It's a nature preserve and a type of land called a wetland. Wetlands are places where the land is covered by water, either all the time or for part of the year. This makes them perfect homes for many different plants and animals. The Haskell-Baker Wetlands are about 640 acres big, which is like 480 football fields! They are located just south of Lawrence, Kansas, in the United States. The wetlands are also connected to the Wakarusa River. To help protect the area from too much water, special walls called levees and other flood controls were built in the 1990s.
What Makes the Wetlands Special?
The Haskell-Baker Wetlands are very important because they are home to a huge variety of living things. In 1969, the National Park Service recognized how special this place is. They named it a National Natural Landmark. This means it's a nationally important natural area.
Amazing Plants and Animals
The wetlands are like a giant natural apartment complex for wildlife!
- Plants: There are 413 different kinds of plants that grow here. These include many types of grasses, flowers, and trees that love wet environments.
- Birds: Birdwatchers love the wetlands because 265 different kinds of birds have been seen here. Some birds live here all year, while others stop during their long migrations.
- Other Animals: Beyond birds, there are 61 other types of vertebrate animals. Vertebrates are animals with backbones, like fish, frogs, turtles, snakes, and small mammals.
Who Takes Care of the Wetlands?
Many different groups work together to protect and manage the Haskell-Baker Wetlands.
- Baker University: This university owns most of the wetlands, about 573 acres.
- Haskell Indian Nations University: This university owns 27 acres of the wetlands.
- Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks: This state department helps manage 20 acres. They work to protect wildlife and natural areas.
- University of Kansas: This university also owns 20 acres, often using it for scientific research and learning.
These groups work hard to make sure the wetlands stay healthy for all the plants and animals that live there, and for people to enjoy and learn from.
