I will be travelling this week to the annual conference of the American Public Gardens Association, this year located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which is very far from my Kansas home. Representatives from public gardens across North America will gather to share information about their respective gardens and regions.
Kansas has a simple fundamental beauty that is unique to this state. The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains tries to capture that beauty in the development of our grounds, using plants that are native to the prairie. Contrary to popular belief, Kansas is a special place to live. The vast open views, unobstructed for miles in every direction, are a hallmark of this state. Amazing sunsets happen almost every night. Dynamic thunderstorms and bright white clouds fill the afternoon skies. Kansas has a beauty all it’s own.
I look forward to sharing with my colleagues why I love living in Kansas, and why the Arboretum’s mission of connecting people with the prairie is so important to our organization and to our community.
Thunderstorm at Chase Co. State Fishing Lake
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills.
Indiangrass
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
Russell Springs-Logan County-Photo Courtesy of Craig Freeman
Rocktown Natural Area-Russell County-Photo courtesy of Craig Freeman
Ft. Riley near Manhattan-Photo courtesy of Craig Freeman
Chalk Formations-Gove County-Photo courtesy of Craig Freeman
Cimarron National Grassland, Morton County-Photo courtesy of Craig Freeman
Shortgrass Prairie near Holcomb, Finney County-Photo courtesy of Craig Freeman