Boosted by state support for its land preservation efforts, the Lawrence-based Kansas Land Trust is embarking on an ambitious plan to help protect 2 million acres of Flint Hills prairie.

But the preservation effort likely will advance a few hundred acres at a time.

“Sometimes big things start with small efforts,” said RoxAnne Miller, the Trust’s executive director. The plan, which will include myriad groups, may seem lofty, but two million acres is just a fraction of the 140 million acres of prairie that once covered north America, Miller said.

Most of what is left of the country’s prairie is Kansas’ 4 million acres.

The Trust currently is working on two conservation projects: a 200-acre prairie north of Manhattan and a 500-acre ranch south of Council Grove. It will host a reception June 10 to raise funds for its purchase of an easement and to enforce and oversee the property in Manhattan.

The Trust uses conservation easements to restrict use of prairie lands. The restrictions vary depending on the properties, but they generally bar future commercial development.

The reception next week will include an exhibit called Homage to the Flint Hills, the works of Kansas artists inspired by the Flint Hills. Those who donate $100 will receive a book of the 37 pieces of artwork on display.

Started in 1990, the Land Trust traditionally has preserved land by relying on landowners to donate easements.

Kansas Land Trust kicked off efforts to protect tallgrass prairie in the Flint Hills. Members and friends of the Trust, from left, Lisa Grossman, Diane Simpson, RoxAnne Miller, executive director of the Land Trust, and Sandra Shaw on Thursday toured Elkins Prairie.

The easements essentially mean landowners voluntarily place restrictions on their property, such as barring it from future development. The trust enforces the easement and works to educate landowners about what it means for their property and how it is used.

About two years ago, the Land Trust turned to buying conservation easements. It uses funds from the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program.

Hooked on the Flint Hills (06-03-05)

Photo Gallery: Flint Hills

For the Manhattan project, for example, the Land Trust is raising 25 percent of the value of the easement. The landowner will donate another 25 percent, and federal funds will cover 50 percent.

An injection of $31,250 in state funds covered the Trust’s portion of the easement on the property near Council Grove. That support made the project move faster, Miller said.

Many flowers are currently in bloom in the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie.

In its goal to preserve 2 million acres of prairie, the Trust will work with such groups as the Kansas Livestock Assn. Ranchland Trust, the Kansas chapter of the Nature Conservancy, state agencies and others. They will work to get dedicated state funding for conservation easements.

The acreage they want to protect is in the heart of the Flint Hills.

Two million acres must be preserved before people can say they’ve protected the Flint Hills, said Beverly Worster, treasurer for the Trust’s board of directors.

“It will take many generations and it will take lots of determination,” she said, adding that the goal is reachable.

Sandra Shaw, a member of the Trust’s board of directors, said there is a growing interest statewide in supporting conservation efforts. Conservation plays a role in boosting ecotourism, and quality of life.

“There’s just an escalating recognition that this is about more than protecting land,” Shaw said. “It’s about health. It’s about economic development.”