Phillips County Conservation District

10/14/2026

We’re proud to highlight Phillipsburg native Will Stutterheim and his work to break the stigma surrounding mental health in agriculture. Farmers and ranchers face unique challenges, and it’s important to remember that no one has to face life’s struggles alone.
The Phillips County Conservation District recognizes the importance of caring for both our natural resources and the people who work so hard to care for them.

🎙 FHSU psychologist knows firsthand of mental health stigma in ag communities

10/09/2026

The Phillips County Conservation District is excited to kick off this year’s Poster Contest!
This year’s NACD theme, “From Source to Sea: Every Drop Has a Journey,” focuses on the importance of water conservation and the journey water takes through our world.
We’re excited to help students explore where water comes from, where it goes, and how we can all do our part to protect this precious resource!
To support our local classrooms, the District provided a list of poster contest prompts,
educational links to help students learn more about water conservation and a water conservation book for each classroom’s library.
We hope these resources inspire curiosity, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the water that sustains our communities, farms, wildlife, and environment.

10/02/2026

GREAT PLAINS GRASSLAND CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT - An Upcoming Webinar on Nov. 12, 11:30 am CT

Join Working Lands for Wildlife's (WLFW) Great Plains Grasslands Science Advisor and University of Nebraska–Lincoln professor Dirac Twidwell and leading rangeland researches and practitioners for a focused update on grassland conservation across the Great Plains.

They will share updates on rangeland wildfire and post-fire restoration, woody species encroachment managed at scale across the Plains, and the continued emergence of spatial analyses and continent-wide modeling of grasslands and wildlife population responses.

Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_99QsBfrlSiyg42N_pf0WWw #/registration

This webinar is part of WLFW's "Science to Solutions Seminars: For Western Working Lands".

10/02/2026

What an incredible milestone—our 25th WACKY Day! This long‑standing tradition continues to bring together counties across northwest Kansas to deliver a full day of conservation learning, hands‑on exploration, and community fun. From pollinators and worms to water, soil, forestry, and rangeland conservation, students were immersed in the wonders of our natural resources through engaging, expert‑led stations.
None of this would be possible without the amazing volunteers, presenters, educators, high school helpers, district managers, and generous sponsors who make WACKY Day shine year after year. Their dedication provides every student with a rich conservation learning experience—complete with T‑shirts, water bottles, lunch and all the supplies needed for a day packed with discovery.

Alongside all the learning, students enjoyed tons of fun, including:
• A conservation‑themed carnival
• A meaningful Nicodemus presentation honoring local history
• A hands‑on Boy Scout presentation
• A crowd‑favorite KDWP scent‑dog demonstration

Here are a final few highlights from this wonderfully WACKY Day!

10/02/2026

At this year's WACKY Day the Trees Station was led by Colton Farra, Technician Team Lead with the Kansas Forest Service. Colton helped students explore the world of Kansas trees—from identifying species to understanding how forests support wildlife, soil health, and clean water. His enthusiasm made the importance of forestry and conservation easy for students to understand and appreciate.

The Brush Management Station was led by Eric Weins, Wildlife Biologist with Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, and Gibbon Simmons, Conservation Delivery Specialist for the Smoky Hills Ecoregion. Eric and Gibbon guided students through the role of brush management in keeping rangelands healthy. Students learned how controlling invasive brush supports native grasses, improves wildlife habitat, and strengthens grazing lands across northwest Kansas.

A big thank‑you to Colton, Eric, and Gibbon for helping students deepen their connection to Kansas’s natural resources and conservation efforts!

10/01/2026

At the WACKY Day Soils Station, led by Roxton Brown, NRCS District Conservationist and Tanner Kubick, Natural Resources Specialist.
Students dug into the world beneath their feet—exploring soil texture, structure, water‑holding capacity, and why healthy soil is the foundation for strong crops, clean water, and thriving ecosystems. Roxton and Tanner showed how different soil types respond to rainfall, how conservation practices protect soil from erosion, and how producers across northwest Kansas manage their land to keep soil biology thriving.

09/30/2026

One of the most fascinating stops at WACKY Day was the Worm Station, led by Michael Thompson, a regenerative farmer from Norton County, Kansas. Michael is the Chairman of the Kansas Soil Health Alliance and an Ex Officio member of No‑Till on the Plains
Michael shared his passion for soil health with students, teaching them how worms help create healthy, living soil. Kids were able to see how worms break down organic matter, improve soil structure, increase water retention, and support nutrient cycling — all essential for growing strong crops and protecting our natural resources.
By showing students real examples from his own family’s Thompson Farm & Ranch in Norton County, Michael helped them understand why soil biology matters and how simple changes in land management can make a big difference. His enthusiasm and hands‑on approach made this station one of the day’s most memorable experiences!

09/30/2026

At this year’s WACKY Day, students had a hands‑on experience at the Surveying Station, led by Scott Bohl, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician and Trent Brummer, Department of Conservation Technician.

Scott and Trent helped students explore how land elevation is measured and why surveying is essential for conservation planning. Kids learned how tools like survey rods and levels are used to understand slopes, drainage, and how water moves across the land. They guided students through real surveying practice—showing how conservationists use these measurements to design terraces, waterways, and other resource‑saving structures. The students loved getting to test the equipment and see how surveying helps protect soil and water across Kansas.

09/29/2026

At WACKY Day Jessica Butters, K‑State Extension Agent in the Twin Creeks District, used the Enviroscape model to help students explore how water moves across the land—showing how pollution travels, how runoff works, and why watershed protection matters. Her interactive demo made conservation concepts click for students in a fun, engaging way!
Meanwhile, Dustin Kriley, District Conservationist, guided students through the Stream Trailer, demonstrating streambank erosion, sediment movement, and how conservation practices protect waterways. The kids loved seeing real‑time changes in the stream model and learning how their environment responds to natural forces.