Ranchland Trust of Kansas

10/22/2026

We're hiring! Join the Ranchland Trust of Kansas team!

Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK) is seeking two talented professionals who are passionate about Kansas, its working landscapes, and the people who care for them.

🌾 Conservation Manager - Lead conservation easement projects, work directly with landowners, and help ensure the long-term stewardship of conserved ranchlands. This position offers remote work within Kansas with statewide travel.

🌻 Operations and Engagement Coordinator - A newly created position supporting organizational operations, communications, events, and engagement with landowners, supporters, and conservation partners. This position is based in Topeka with scheduling flexibility.

Both positions offer the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to conserving Kansas' ranching heritage and open spaces for future generations.

Interested, or know someone who would be a great fit?

Learn more and apply: https://ranchlandtrustofkansas.org/who-we-are/

Please share with your networks!

08/11/2026

Great opportunity to learn from the Kansas Forest Service! Sign up today if you're interested! 🔥

🔥 Still a few spots left! 🔥

Join us this Friday, August 14th, in Asherville for the Rangeland Management/Prescribed Fire Workshop!

📅 August 14, 2026
📍 Asherville, KS
🕣 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
💲 FREE — but registration is required!

These workshops tend to fill up, so don’t wait to reserve your spot!

📞 Register by calling the Mitchell County Conservation District at (785) 738-5172 Ext. 3, or scan the QR code on the flyer.

Come learn, connect, and sharpen your prescribed fire and rangeland management skills! 🌾🔥

07/27/2026

One of RTK's very own conservation easement landowners, Glenn and Barbara Walker of Brookville, KS, have been selected as finalists for this year's Sand County Foundation Kansas Leopold Conservation Award. This award recognizes landowners who have gone above and beyond in the name of conservation. Congratulations to Glenn and Barbara! 👏🧡

07/08/2026

What an incredible day on the prairie! 🌾🧡

Thank you to everyone who joined us for RTK's Prairie Picnic last month. Whether you attended, donated, sponsored the event, bid in the auction, or volunteered your time, your support made this year's event a tremendous success!

Your generosity helps us to continue the important work of permanently conserving additional Kansas working lands, protecting native grasslands, wildlife habitat, and the ranching heritage for future generations.

The event included a "History of Grazing in the Flint Hills" presentation from David Kraft, with Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition, a special preview of Symphony in the Flint Hills: A Documentary with director, Matt Crow, and a beautiful acoustic performance by singer/songwriter, Lora McDonald ✨

A special thank you to our sponsors for investing in Kansas conservation, to Pioneer Bluffs for providing such a beautiful setting for the event, and to our talented photographers, Kirkwood Kreations Photography for capturing moments we'll enjoy for years to come!

📸 View the Prairie Picnic photo gallery here: https://ranchlandtrustofkansas.org/gallery/2026-prairie-picnic-photos-by-kirkwood-kreations/

From Ranchland Trust of Kansas, thank you for believing in our mission and helping keep Kansas working lands working 🧡🧡

06/30/2026

Plant Look-alikes: Know Your Lespedeza!

Not all Lespedeza species in Oklahoma are invasive! The easiest way to distinguish native lespedeza species from invasive sericea lespedeza is to compare the leaves and stems.

NATIVE Roundhead lespedeza (Lespedeza capitata)
- Leaves broader than slender and sericea
- Leaves: net veined (veins curve away from the leaf edge and back towards the midrib in an oval pattern)
- Stems: tall & narrow

NATIVE Slender lespedeza (Lespedeza virginica)
- Narrower leaves than sericea and roundhead
- Leaves: net veined (veins curve away from the leaf edge and back towards the midrib in an oval pattern)
- Stems: tall & narrow

NATIVE wildlife/livestock uses:
Leaves
- White-tailed deer
- Cattle, goats
Legumes
- Bobwhite Quail
- Wild turkey

INVASIVE Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)
- Bushy compared to roundhead and slender
- Leaves: parallel veined (veins run in a straight line from the midrib to the edge)
- Stems: with many branches

Sericea Control Options
- Herbicide: Metsulfuron-methyl (MSM), Triclopyr
- Patch-Burn Grazing
- Goats

06/29/2026

Scott Bean Photography, we’re so thrilled you joined us for the Prairie Picnic!! 🧡🧡 it was a memorable occasion. Thank you for your donation and your support.

06/23/2026

Thank you Symphony in the Flint Hills: A Documentary for joining us for the Prairie Picnic last Saturday and sharing your work! We really enjoyed it and can't wait to see the entire film! 🧡🧡🧡