February 23, 2016
Jefferson County Landowner Receives Kansas Bankers Association Conservation Award, Hosts Open House
Submitted by Jennifer G. Williams
Les Barnes, a lifelong native of Jefferson County, Kansas, has been managing the natural resources on his 80-acre tract of land near Boyle since the 1980s. In recognition of his efforts, Barnes was selected to receive the Kansas Bankers Association Wildlife Habitat Award. He received the award at this year’s Jefferson County Conservation District annual meeting, on January 27.
The purpose of the Kansas Bankers Association conservation awards is to stimulate a greater interest in the conservation of the agricultural land and natural resources of Kansas. The association gives recognition to farmers and landowners who have made outstanding progress in practicing conservation and providing stewardship of natural resources on their land. Each year, more than 200 Kansas producers and landowners are recognized through this program.
On February 23, from 10 a.m. to noon, representatives from the Kansas Forest Service; Meadowlark Extension District; Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism; and Jefferson County Conservation District will join Barnes at his property to visit with landowners who have an interest in properly managing their natural resources. February is an ideal time to prune trees, so Kansas Forest Service district forester David Bruton will provide a hands-on pruning demonstration throughout a small bur oak plantation that Barnes established nearly four years ago.
“Understanding how to properly prune trees is important for maintaining tree health and can have a major influence on the economic value of forest products over time,” Bruton said. “When people prune, they touch the future.”
This opportunity is being offered as an open house event and is free to the public. Attendees are welcome to come and go throughout the two-hour event.
Attendees can locate the Barnes property given the following directions: from the intersection of K-4 and K-16 (northeast of Valley Falls), travel east on K-16 for 4.2 miles to Marion Road, then turn right and travel south on Marion Road for 0.5 miles to a gated entrance on the right side of the road.
The event will not be hosted in inclement weather. If weather conditions are questionable, please contact the Meadowlark Extension District Office in Oskaloosa at 785-863-2212 to determine event status.