Flatlander Podcast

The ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, and two species of prairie grouse (greater and lesser prairie chicken) make up Kansas' coveted upland birds. In this episode, we're joined by Jeff Prendergast, KDWP small game specialist, to learn about these beautiful birds of the grasslands, their habitats, populations, management practices, and more. Jeff also gives us a sneak peek into this y...

Wander Woman of Kansas is a diverse women's outdoor group who are engaged in the enjoyment of adventuring and exploring the outdoors. Founded in 2018, Wander Woman Kansas was developed to bring women together in a tough outdoor industry that can be difficult to navigate. Founder Jessica White joins us in the Flatlands to discuss her personal journey, the ins and outs of Wander Woman, and how...

Did you know that the largest wetland in the interior of the united states is located right here in Kansas? Tag along with Lyndzee and Tanna as they visit The Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) in Barton County, KS to learn more about Kansas wetlands and all that the KWEC has to offer!  The KWEC is a cooperative effort between Fort Hays State University and KDWP dedicated to educating the pub...

Hosts Laura Mendenhall, Nadia Marji Sources Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary Kansas Fishing Atlas Fishing Reports and Forecasts Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP) Urban Fishing Program Follow the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks on Facebook and Instagram . Follow the Kansas Wildlife Federation on Facebook and Instagram .

Chances are, if you live in or have passed through Kansas, you've heard of or passed by one of the 105 K-State Reach and Extension (KSRE) Offices across the state. Their mission:  improve Kansans lives, livelihoods and communities through education, research, engagement and leadership. Laura and Nadia are joined by Juju Wellemeyer, Natural Resource and Small/Mid-scale Agriculture Extension Ag...

Bald Eagle populations in Kansas have grown considerably since 1989 when the first nest in Kansas was reported. In 2020, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks partnered with Conservation Science Global, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Evergy, to conduct a three year study to learn more about the movements of Kansas' bald eagles. Tanna and Lyndzee are  joined by Zac Eddy, KDWP Terrestria...

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is proud to announce the launch of Go Outdoors Kansas – KDWP’s all-new licensing and boat registration system designed to provide outdoor recreationists with an improved customer service experience. Tanna and Lyndzee are joined by Shanda Knapic, KDWP Chief of Licensing, who tells us what the new system is all about, what new features it has, and h...

Cast a line and hook a prize! The second annual Great Kansas Fishing Derby kicked off May 15, 2022 with more than 700 tagged fish ready for catching across 34 water bodies in the state.  David Breth, KDWP Sportfishing Education Coordinator, joins Tanna and Lynzdee to tell the tale of how the derby came to Kansas and what to expect this year and hopefully years to come. Hosts Tanna Fanshier, Lyndze...

Hosts Tanna Fanshier, Lyndzee Rhine Sources Poison Pill: The Mysterious Die-Off of India’s Vultures | Science History Institute American Burying Beetle | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Carrion flowers: Current Biology   Follow the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks on Facebook and Instagram . Follow the Kansas Wildlife Federation on Facebook and Instagram .

Did you know Kansas has its own endangered species law? Join hosts Laura and Lyndzee and special guest, biologist Ed Miller as we learn about the Kansas non-game threatened and endangered species law. We cover how the law came to be, why it is special and unique among the states, how it functions, how the public can get involved in the species listing process, and why it matters for anyone enjoyin...

Spring is in the air and many of us are thinking about what to plant in our yards. Let us help you decide! In this episode, Laura and Lyndzee are joined by Brad Guhr, educator at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston, KS, to talk about the importance and advantages of incorporating native plants into your landscaping - and how to do it without upsetting your neighbors! Hosts Laura Mendenhall, Ly...

The Fallen Outdoors (TFO) mission is to organize outdoor adventures for veterans past and present, from every generation and from all branches of the military. Robert Lovell, TFO Kansas team lead, joins Flatlander to share how this organization connects soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines with like-minded individuals along with teaching them skills and passion they can continue for a lifetime....

We're bugging out with Amy Bousman, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner at the Atma Clinic in Lawrence. Lyndzee and Tanna chat with Amy about entomophagy, the practice of eating insects,  to understand the role that insects can play in our evolutionary diets. Together we'll learn about entomophagy in  cultures around the world, the potential of insects to serve as the sustainable...

We're back with part two of our short series on civic engagement and in this episode we're talking about the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission. Listen to part one if you haven't already. Laura and Nadia are joined by KDWP Assistant Secretary, Mike Milller, and Commissioner Lauren Queal Sill, to learn about how the Commission works, how they set regulations, and also how we can ge...

Who are the apex predators in Kansas? Hosts Tanna Fanshier, Laura Menhenhall Sources Furharvester Education Wildlife Sightings Wildlife Damage Control   Follow the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks on Facebook and Instagram . Follow the Kansas Wildlife Federation on Facebook and Instagram .

Things are getting wild! The animal kingdom is a fascinating place with a lot of mystery. Why do animals behave the way they do? Just in time for Valentine's Day we're gonna dive into the wild attractions of the animal kingdom; from bright colors and dancing displays to burping ducks and balls of snakes. Nadia and Lyndzee are joined by Daren Riedle, KDWP wildlife diversity coordinator, t...

Join Tanna on her latest trip into the field as she spends some time with local outdoor women's group, wildHERness, on a women's waterfowl experience. Get to know the wildHERness team, a sampling of the event's enthusiastic participants, and the incredible impact the wildHERness group is having on aspiring outdoor women throughout the state and beyond, focusing on education, empower...

Civic engagement can take many forms and getting involved or informed isn't as difficult as we once thought. In this episode of Flatlander, Laura and Nadia, sit down with Kansas Representative Mark Schreiber and KDWP Secretary Brad Loveless to learn more about how legislative decisions are made and more importantly how we as hunters, anglers, and recreationists can affect change. We get the i...

If you’re looking for an amazing hunting opportunity with low competition and high odds of success, look no further than the KDWP Special Hunts Program. KDWP Public Lands manager, Mike Nyhoff, joins the conversation to talk about this very special program which gives hunters unique opportunities with limited access to public and private lands in Kansas. Tanna and Nadia get the lowdown about how th...

Flatlander Podcast hosts, Laura and Tanna, are joined by Chris Parish, Peregrine Fund President & CEO, and Leland Brown, Oregon Zoo Non-lead Hunting Education Coordinator to discuss the benefits, science , and effectiveness of using non-lead ammunition for hunting. The North American Non-Lead Partnership — formed in 2017 by the Oregon Zoo, The Peregrine Fund and the Institute for Wildlife Stud...

Hosts Luara Mendenhall, Lyndzee Rhine Sources Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) How's My Water Shed Howard Fisk Meander Beltt (Mississippi River Map) Kansas Rivers   Playa Lakes Joint Venture Follow the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks on Facebook and Instagram . Follow the Kansas Wildlife Federation on Facebook and Instagram .

Hey Flatanders! Tanna, Laura, Lyndzee, and Megan catch up with each other to talk about what's new and happening in their lives, outdoor goals, and honor the memory of a special member of the Flatlander family. Hosts Tanna Fanshier, Laura Mendenhall, Lyndzee Rhine, Megan Mayhew Sources CWD Resources Kansas Hunter Education Options KDWP Trout Program KS Ornithological Society Follow the Kansas...

Where have all the birds gone? Let’s go birding with Bob Gress, as he answers that question and many others on our pursuit to learn more about the avians that call Kansas their temporary home. Hosts Laura Mendenhall, Lyndzee Rhine Sources Birds in Focus eBird Merlin Bird ID iNaturalist GPNC Pocket Guides Larkwire Follow the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks on Facebook and Instagram . Follow...

The Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors (PIOOM) Program is designed to match children with mentors who share an interest in outdoor heritage and promoting the enjoyment, understanding, protection, and restoration of our natural ecosystems. Flatlander hosts, Tanna and Nadia, are joined by PIOOM Director of Field Operations, Brittany French, to talk about this fantastic program, how it started, and how it&...

With large wings bright orange coloring, the monarch is one of the most notable butterflies in the Americas, and also one of the most mysterious. From southern Canada all the way down to Mexico monarchs have a fascinating life cycle. Tanna and Lyndzee are joined by KDWP education specialist and resident monarch enthusiast, Pam Martin, to talk about monarch migration, identification, and ways we ca...