Wetland Program

Increase the knowledge base about Kansas’ wetland systems through surveying, monitoring, research and assessment to establish wetland conditions, identify trends, and explore the causes and sources affecting wetland change.

History

Wetlands have long been known to assist with water purification, not to mention the diversity in flora and fauna they provide. The current Wetland Program Plan (WPP) 2024-2028 for Kansas was developed by a diverse group of state agencies, interest groups and Kansas citizens with assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help evaluate this natural resource.

Previous Wetland Projects

Current Updates

2024 EPA Wetland Program Development Grant (WPDG), Planning for the future of farm pond wetlands under crop conversion and extreme precipitation events. This research would provide additional information to the 2014 WPDG which evaluated aging ponds in the Perry Reservoir watershed. The proposed grant will be looking at specific ponds in the watershed, analyzing water chemistry, discharge, change in storage, functionality and other parameters.

2021 EPA WPDG, Shoreline lacustrine wetlands in large Kansas reservoirs: status, trends and limiting factors. This would provide additional information to the 2015 WPDG which looked at wetlands in aging reservoirs. The proposed grant is looking wetland conditions in multiple reservoirs throughout the state.

Wetland work is also being done through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Tomorrow’s Water: Connecting People, Playas and the Ogallala Aquifer is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and is in its infancy. This project will restore playas and surrounding grass buffers in Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oklahoma to increase groundwater recharge to the aquifer and support a more resilient landscape.

Timeline

The EPA provides funding opportunities for these projects on a periodic basis. Projects typically take 24 months to complete.

Project Manager

Riley Vande Ven

Additional Information

• Classification of Wetland and Riparian Areas in Kansas
• Kansas Riparian Area Management Brochure
• Kansas Wetland and Riparian Resources Conservation Goals and Strategies
• Kansas Wetland Conservation Brochure
• Local Planning Guide for Wetland and Riparian Areas in Kansas
• Management Practices for Wetlands and Riparian Areas
• Wetland and Riparian Areas in Kansas Resources in Need of Conservation
• Wetland and Riparian Areas Program Directory Manual

Page Updated: 1/23/2026