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Adventure for Everyone

Welcome to KWEC!

Want a unique nature experience? Then, visit the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. KWEC overlooks Cheyenne Bottoms; the largest inland marsh in the United States and a Ramsar designated, Wetland of International Importance.

The KWEC is managed by Fort Hays State University in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism.

Walk through state-of-the-art exhibits that tell the story of Cheyenne Bottoms from its ancient geological formation to the management challenges of the future. Discover the magnificence of these wetlands and the animals and plants living there.

about KWEC
Bingo Board

Virtual Tour

Experience all that Cheyenne Bottoms has to offer from the comfort of your home or classroom.  Click on our virtual tour to experience 360 images, drone footage, educational videos, interviews with key Cheyenne Bottoms partners, and interactive games.  

Download this bingo board to guide your experience to a variety of activities.

Classroom teachers, click here to learn about how to use this in your classroom.

The Virtual Tour is best viewed by putting the image below in full screen (click three dots on bottom of picture and choose Enter Full Screen) and then clicking on each individual icon to navigate to different areas of Cheyenne Bottoms.  You can then click an icon to return to map and choose another destination!

 

Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events

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March WILD

03/29/2024 10:00 AM - 03/29/2024 11:00 AM

Cory Wagner of Blood Creek Deer Recovery will give a demonstration on how he trains his dog to track and locate wounded deer that hunters can't find. Participants will walk a trail as a dog follows the scent to find a hidden deer hide. This program is part of our WILD series.  Each month we off... more

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Solar Eclipse Viewing Party

04/08/2024 12:00 PM - 04/08/2024 3:00 PM

While Great Bend, KS will not be in the path of totality for the April 8 solar eclipse, the moon will obscure 82.5% of the sun for our viewing. The Kansas Wetlands Education Center has an afternoon of games, science experiments, snacks, crafts, and safe viewing opportunities planned. We encourage vi... more

Recent Bird Sightings

Exhibits

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center building offers a panoramic view of our mitigation marsh. We have binoculars and spotting scopes available to help you get a closer look at the wetlands and wildlife outside the Center. Visitors enjoy the sights of birds at the feeder, frogs sitting at the water’s edge, blooming sunflowers, harriers gliding over the marsh, and whatever surprises nature has to offer.

Donate to the KWEC

The KWEC appreciates donations. Donations to the KWEC go toward enhancing our educational programming.