photo by: Baker University

Baker University Wetlands.

A pair of nonprofits will help manage the Baker University Wetlands on the southern edge of Lawrence, as the popular outdoor area is facing challenges with aging infrastructure and difficult habitats.

Baldwin City-based Baker University announced that it has signed agreements with Ducks Unlimited and the Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams, or KAWS, to hire a full-time director experienced in wetland management. Ducks Unlimited will provide support from its expert biologists, land managers, fundraisers, and engineers, while KAWS will contribute local watershed protection staff trained in resource interpretation.

Baker will continue to own the approximately 1,000 acre property, which is largely along the Wakarusa River and south of 31st Street in south Lawrence. But the agreements represent a new phase of management for the property and its approximately 600 acres of wetlands, which have been some of the most closely-watched pieces of habitat in Lawrence. The Baker Wetlands were the site of an approximately 20-year battle between environmentalists and road builders who disagreed over whether the South Lawrence Trafficway could be built through a portion of the wetlands.

The road project ultimately was built through a portion of the wetlands as part of an agreement that involved new man-made wetlands being built in the area, construction of a wetland education center and several other projects geared towards minimizing impacts of the bypass project.

Now, a pair of organizations with expertise on everything from wildlife to water quality will be taking a greater role in managing the wetlands.

“The Baker University Wetlands hold immense potential as an even more important ecological resource,” Matt Hough, Manager of Conservation Programs in Kansas for Ducks Unlimited said in a press release.

“We are excited to partner with KAWS and the Baker University Wetlands to restore this valuable habitat and ensure its continued health and beauty for generations to come. This is a win-win for our organizations, the community, and the wildlife that call it home,” Hough said.

A popular destination for bird watchers and outdoor enthusiasts, the Baker University Wetlands have faced aging infrastructure and difficult habitat conditions in recent years, according to a press release. Specifically, inefficient water management has led to an increase in invasive plants and a decline in suitable wetland habitat for wildlife.

Restoration efforts will involve building embankments, installing new water control structures, and grading to balance water levels and improve runoff. This will enable managers to promote beneficial moist-soil vegetation through timely flooding and drawdown practices.

“The Baker University Wetlands is a living classroom for me and my students – a true extension of our campus. It is an exceptional educational resource among small colleges in the region and has for decades been an important asset for our faculty and students to teach and learn in a dynamic and engaging environment,” Scott Kimball, associate professor of biology, said in a press release.

“The landscape provides unparalleled experiences for our faculty, staff, and students who use the space for science labs, research projects, and recreational engagement with nature. We look forward to the new partnership with DU and KAWS providing additional rich experiences for our students and faculty who are engaged in ecological, environmental, and natural resources coursework and research,” Kimball said in a press release.

Andrew Rutter has recently been hired as the new Baker University Wetlands Director after serving as KAWS’ Upper Wakarusa Watershed Coordinator in recent years. He has 12 years of experience managing wildlife and wetlands in the Midwest. Additionally, Rutter has earned a B.S. in biology from Emporia State University in 2013, and an M.S. in forestry with an emphasis on wildlife ecology from Southern Illinois University in 2017.

According to a press release, Rutter looks forward to applying his experience as a land manager to inform ecologically sound management at the Baker University Wetlands and this new partnership with the DU and KAWS organizations.

Libby Albers, director of the Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams, said KAWS is excited to partner with Ducks Unlimited and Baker University Wetlands to further the goals of the region as a whole.

“This site has a rich legacy of staff, volunteers, and students devoted to habitat management and environmental education, and we hope to add Andrew’s expertise to that list through his actions as Director,” said Alber in a press release.