Kansas Forest Service

 

May

An Ode to Eastern Redcedar, April 25th-May 23rd, 2026
Lumberyard Art Center, Baldwin City, KS
Join the KU Field Station and partners, including the KU Department of Visual Art, the Kansas Forest Service, and the Lumberyard Arts Center, to celebrate the Rice Woodland! This juried exhibition will feature works crafted from eastern redcedar by local artists on display from April 25 – May 23, 2026. Learn more about the exhibit.

Callery Pear Buybacks, May 12-14th, 2026
Wichita, Ellsworth, and Manhattan, KS
There will be three Callery pear buyback events across Kansas in May 2026. These programs will offer replacement trees to folks who sign up and can show proof that they have removed a Callery pear tree from their property. Learn more and sign up.

Tree Pruning Workshop, May 20th, 2026
5:00 pm-6:00 pm
1515 Oak Street, La Crosse, KS
Join the Kansas Forest Service and the Rush County Conservation District for a free tree pruning workshop! Learn about when to prune, the best tools to use and how to identify where to prune on the tree. Live trees will be used for the pruning demonstration!

Walk with Wildlife, May 30th, 2026
Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E 29th Street, Wichita, KS
Interact with 50+ species of live animals native to Kansas! Wildlife experts will share information about animal behavior and habitat while exploring the Chisholm Creek Park Trails. Donate $3 in advance or $5 at the gate. This program is sponsored by our friends at Evergy!

Future Events

Smokey Bear at Walnut Conservation Day, June 5th, 2026
Girard Public Library, Girard, KS
Learn about soil health, water quality, and biodiversity in conservation.

Wild Outdoors, June 6th, 2026
Milford Nature Center, Milford, KS

Smokey Bear at The Herndon Ox-Roast, June 13th, 2026
Herndon, KS
The Herndon Ox-Roast, the Spirit of 1776-2026 has been celebrated since 1914, when it was called the Harvest of Home Picnic. Every 5 years our rural community is filled with more than 2,000 travelers, spending a summer day beginning with the parade. Following you will be fed with the oxen (beef),veggies and seasonings that has simmered for days in the pit. You will find Smokey Bear handing out reminders to be safe and be sure to start no fires!

Smokey Bear at Philipsburg Library, June 16th, 2026
Philipsburg Public Library, Philipsburg KS

Plant Care Fair, June 18th, 2026
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka, KS
Join experts from K-State and our community for help solving problems with your lawn, landscape, garden, or trees, or just get general gardening We will also have information from other non-profit gardening groups in the Topeka area, and activities for kids. Please join us for this free event on June 18 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library!

ManHATtrick, June 25th, 2026
Manhattan, KS

Invasive Species Management Workshop, July 22nd, 2026
Scanolli's 306 Dogwood St, Wakefield, KS
Join experts to discuss herbaceous and woody species, prairie and grassland invaders, and field identifcation and management. Hosted by Kansas Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.