About The Nature Conservancy Preserve
at Cheyenne Bottoms

The Nature Conservancy’s Mission

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and water they need to survive. The Conservancy is a private, nonprofit, conservation organization with over one million members.

Welcome to The Nature Conservancy’s Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve

Wetland losses throughout the nation, and internationally, have caused populations of some shorebird species — starved for water, food, and nesting sites — to shrink by 60 to 80 percent. The Nature Conservancy’s goal at Cheyenne Bottoms is to protect waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife alike by restoring and protecting the natural marshes, wetlands, mud flats, and adjoining grasslands.

The Conservancy seeks to preserve and maintain these vital wetlands so that the multitudes of migrating birds, which have relied on this great marsh for thousands of years, may continue to find safe haven.

The Conservancy owns and manages more than 7,300 acres of critical wetlands and grasslands within the 41,000-acre Cheyenne Bottoms complex. The Preserve is adjacent to the northwest boundary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, and is located within 1 mile of Hoisington, and approximately 6 miles north of Great Bend.

"Wetlands of International Importance"

Joining fewer than 20 U.S. locations, the Nature Conservancy’s Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve and the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Area have been named ‘Wetlands of International Importance’. Designated by the Ramsar Convention (also known as the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance), Cheyenne Bottoms receives global recognition for its significant value as a wetland habitat.

Uplands Wetlands and their Importance

In contrast to the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, Conservancy lands are located at slightly higher elevations within the basin. Ephemeral wetlands — or those that last only a very short time — along with longer-lasting temporary wetlands, are the most common wetland types on the Conservancy’s Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve. The size of these wetlands is highly variable; some cover several hundred acres whereas others may be as small as a few square yards. These shallow marshes — averaging less than one foot deep — are ideal habitats for wading shorebirds.

A diversity of landforms results in other wetland types, including seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands. Seasonal wetlands account for the greatest acreage of wetland habitat on the Preserve. Additionally several basins and abandoned creek channels represent semi-permanent wetlands in the Preserve. These more permanent wetland types are used occasionally by shorebirds but provide better habitat for wading birds and waterfowl.

The Conservancy protects and restores each of the various wetland types at the Preserve. By creating opportunities for varied flooding regimes, as well as managing for the growth of diverse plants and encouraging an abundance of food and cover, a wide range of plant and animal biodiversity is served.

Shorebird Management — Grazing at Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve

Migratory shorebirds use habitats of varying water depth and vegetation height and density. Habitats for foraging shorebirds range from dry mud to water depths up to seven inches. Shorebirds prefer short vegetation, generally less than half of the bird’s height. Some species, such as yellowlegs and snipe, will forage in taller vegetation. A range of wetland habitat conditions, from sparsely vegetated mud flats to moderately vegetated, or open, shallow water, provides shorebirds with the required habitats during their stay at Cheyenne Bottoms.

In order to create these shallow areas with short and sparse vegetation, the Conservancy uses grazing as a management tool. Controlled livestock grazing management can be an effective and inexpensive way to alter the plants and soil conditions of wetlands. Livestock can be used to decrease undesirable dense stands of vegetation, to compact and seal wetland soils, to accelerate nutrient recycling, and to increase interspersion and vegetation diversity.

Grazing management at Cheyenne Bottoms uses a rotational grazing system in which some pastures are grazed fairly heavily for short periods, others are grazed lightly for long periods, and some pastures may not be grazed at all during the year. This system provides the ranges of vegetation height and density that are required by the shorebirds.

Working Together

Because the Conservancy’s lands are adjacent to the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, and the wetlands composing each area are somewhat dissimilar but complementary, the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve provides unique resources that undoubtedly contribute to the species diversity and richness recorded on Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. The same can be said for the Wildlife Area’s influence on species recorded on the Preserve.

Thus, the value of The Nature Conservancy’s Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Area, are inherently linked and the two areas, although under different ownership, ecologically constitute an expansive wetland complex.

Public Access

The Nature Conservancy’s Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve is open to the public for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing. In recognition that the most important value of the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve is to contribute to the restoration and preservation of a prairie wetland ecosystem, the Conservancy believes providing this viewing opportunity will enhance appreciation of wildlife and ultimately ensure that our restoration and preservation goals are accomplished. Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve is presently not open to hunting or camping.

                                                                          Click map to view larger image

Information about the Preserve, driving

directions and the location of a public observation area are available at two information kiosks. From the intersection of U.S. Highways 56 and 281 in Great Bend, travel 8 miles north on U.S. 281; the kiosk is located at the intersection of Highway 281 and NE 80 Road. The other kiosk is located 2 miles east of Hoisington on Kansas Highway 4. Please stay on established roads and parking areas. Driving off roads or on roads closed by signs or other barriers is prohibited. Dogs and other pets must remain in your vehicle at all times.

For more information contact:

The Nature Conservancy
Kansas Chapter
700 SW Jackson, Suite 804
Topeka, KS 66603-3758
785-233-4400 phone
785-233-2022 fax

Web address: nature.org/kansas

Or

The Nature Conservancy, Worldwide Office
4245 North Fairfax Drive STE 100
Arlington, VA 22203-1606

Web address: nature.org

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