Kansas wildlife

Bird watchers, animal lovers and even those interested in plants and insects are taking notice: there seems to be less of almost everything on the prairie. Why are so many wild things seemingly disappearing? Commentator Rex Buchanan shares his thoughts.

The plains spotted skunk is becoming harder to find in the central U.S. states it calls home. As federal officials consider the skunk for federal protections, researchers and environmentalists are hoping to learn more about the long understudied species.

Much work remains to be done to create a system that supports preserving the grasslands.

The tallgrass prairie is mostly confined to the Kansas Flint Hills in eastern Kansas. But earlier this year, some of that grass - up to 5 feet tall - started sprouting further west, out in the Smoky Hills of central Kansas. What's going on here? Commentator Rex Buchanan explains.

Animals that disappeared from some rivers because of pollution, dams and overharvesting are getting a new lease on life that could have ripple effects for other wildlife and for humans.

Right now is one of the best times of the year for bird watchers. As Commentator Rex Buchanan tells us, as many as 800 million birds will soon be moving through this part of the world as they migrate south.

Missouri and Kansas are home to approximately 400 different bee species. Some residents are turning their yards and balconies into havens of native plants.

The bird dwells west of Lubbock, and in the tip of the Panhandle, north of Amarillo.

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.

Well-designed lighting lets people see at night while reducing the negative impacts of artificial light on pollinators and birds. It's also better for human sleep.