05/26/2026
Landowners and conservation professionals will have an opportunity to learn more about wildlife habitat improvement through the Habitat First program during the upcoming Brush Management Field Day on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at The Front Porch Event Center, 602 Mill Street, Alton, Kansas. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and will feature a full slate of speakers addressing a range of rangeland, habitat, and land‑management topics.
The Habitat First initiative, offered through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), provides both technical assistance and financial incentives to private landowners seeking to enhance wildlife habitat. Through this program, landowners can receive support for conservation practices such as invasive tree control, cover crop establishment, brood strips, patch‑burn grazing, shrub and tree plantings, prescribed fire, and wetland or riparian restoration. KDWP wildlife biologists work directly with participants to design tailored habitat improvement plans that benefit a variety of wildlife species, including upland birds, deer, waterfowl, and other native wildlife.
Eric Wiens from KDWP will present information on the Habitat First program, its conservation benefits, and how landowners can participate. His session is part of a broader educational lineup that includes presentations on Old World Bluestem control, rangeland burning practices, drone imagery applications, and federal and state cost‑share opportunities.
With a focus on practical guidance and conservation‑minded management, the Brush Management Field Day aims to equip Kansas landowners with the tools and knowledge needed to support healthier, more resilient landscapes.
