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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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Melody Marsh Grand Opening

09/27/2024 12:00 PM - 09/27/2024 12:30 PM

Help celebrate the grand opening of the new Melody Marsh at KWEC with a Great Bend Chamber Ribbon Cutting at noon on Friday, September 27! The new Melody Marsh is a new feature within the KWEC pollinator garden. It consists of five outdoor, nature-themed musical instruments to welcome visitors ... more

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Butterfly Festival

09/28/2024 9:00 AM - 09/28/2024 12:00 PM

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center’s 11th annual Butterfly Festival will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 9:00am – 12:00pm Each year, millions of monarch butterflies undertake their annual fall flight to Mexico. Nets and tags will be available during the event for those who want ... 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.