2024 Conference Theme:
Water on the Plains: Conservation, Innovation, and Equity
Registration Link: https://wichita.irisregistration.com/Site/2024KNRC
Conference Agenda:
Thursday, February 8 (Conference Day 1)
Pre-Conference Opportunities
7:30a – 08:00a Pre-Conference Registration
8:00a – 12:00p Pre-Conference Session Option 1
Using Climate Data to Achieve Your Natural Resource Objectives, presented by the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center.
Climate change increasingly poses challenges for natural resource management in the form of heat waves, droughts, floods, and other impacts, but did you know that there are tools and organizations that can help you plan and prepare for the impacts of climate change on the natural resources you manage? The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center and the USDA Southern Plains Climate Hub will provide an introduction to climate data tools and training on their application to inform resource management at the Kansas Natural Resources Conference. This training is for all professionals, landowners, and managers who want to learn more about how to use available climate change data to better meet your resource management goals in a changing climate. In addition to receiving training on the use of climate tools, participants will be invited to help inform the work of the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center and the USDA Southern Plains Climate Hub through facilitated discussion and activities.
Limited to 30 registrants. Breakfast will be provided. Attendees should bring a laptop or tablet to participate in this session to its fullest.
Scholarships are available as needed to help cover the cost of travel and the workshop registration fee. Please contact christine.hesed@colorado.edu.
8:00a - 12:00p Pre-Conference Session Option 2
Advancing Environmental Justice in Kansas, presented by the Heartland Environmental Justice Center.
What is environmental justice and how is it linked to our natural resources? And, how can you help advance environmental justice through your conservation initiatives? This session will provide an introduction to environmental justice (EJ) and explore what EJ can look like in conservation work. The Heartland Environmental Justice Center, a new Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center serving EPA Region 7, will share their process for engaging with communities facing environmental justice and energy justice challenges and introduce assessment tools and processes that can enhance your efforts to integrate EJ into your own projects. Participants will gain a better understanding of basic EJ concepts, learn how to evaluate initiatives through an environmental justice lens, explore who is most impacted by local environmental decisions, and discuss how to effectively engage those communities in planning and decision-making processes.
Kansas Natural Resource Conference
8:00a – 1:00p KNRC Registration Opens, Tradeshow and Poster Setup
1:00p KNRC Welcome
1:15p Plenary Session Panel Speakers
2:15p Plenary Session Question & Answer Discussion
3:00p Break
3:30p Concurrent Sessions
5:30p Professional Society Annual Meetings
6:30p Social Mixer, Trade Show & Poster Review
10:00p Social Mixer Ends
Friday, February 9 (Conference Day 2)
7:00a Continental Breakfast
8:00a Concurrent Sessions
12:00p Award Luncheon - Kansas Conservation Champion Award
1:30p Conference Ends
Schedule subject to change.
