To the editor:

Wealthy Americans are using their millions to buy natural lands for state parks, nature preserves and even national parks. These foresighted individuals are preserving wildlands now before they disappear.

For example, Leo Drey bought 160,000 acres of Missouri Ozarks forestland to prevent clear-cutting. 3M mining heiress Katharine Ordway donated funds for the stunning 8,616-acre Konza Prairie near Manhattan. Roxanne Quimby purchased more than 120,000 acres of wilderness in Maine with the intention of creating a North Woods National Park.

It is time for wealthy Kansans to preserve natural lands in the Sunflower State so a portion will remain forever wild. They can do this as individuals or by cooperating with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy or the Kansas Land Trust. Future generations will thank the generous people who preserve our natural lands.