Kansas Wetlands Education Center

Opening in April 2009, The Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) is dedicated to educating the public about wetland communities, their importance, and the need for conservation and restoration, with emphasis on Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. We accomplish this through interactive exhibits and interpretation, educational programs, outreach, and fostering partnerships with cooperating stakeholders.
Representing the goals of a number of partnering agencies, including Fort Hays State University, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and The Nature Conservancy, the KWEC has a multifaceted mission: Provide visitors with an informative and educational experience. Serve as an educational resource for schools, teachers, and other groups interested in conservation and ecotourism. Inform visitors of the economic impact of Cheyenne Bottoms to the local and state economy.
Cheyenne Bottoms is a Ramsar Convention designated Wetland of International Importance and a globally important stopover for thousands of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl; the site also supports other threatened or endangered birds during nesting, staging or wintering periods. It is a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network site of hemispheric importance to shorebirds. Cheyenne Bottoms is made up of KS Department of Wildlife, Parks Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area (19,857 acres) and The Nature Conservancy’s Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve (7,848 acres).