Kansas Depatment of Wildlife and Parks

The Kansas River is cleaner today than half a century ago, but pollution and trash remain problems. Kayakers and others who love this river are helping the river's sandbars by hauling away tons of garbage.

The tension over water for Quivira National Wildlife Refuge has lasted for decades. But recently, water users made progress toward using less groundwater in the area that impacts Quivira.

It's prairie chicken mating season!Still, it's tough being a lesser prairie chicken these days. This type of grouse once spanned an enormous area, though…