Rawlins County Conservation District

09/01/2026

I will be out of the office at training on the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th. The office will be closed on Monday the 7th for Labor Day.

08/31/2026

Your Land, Your Say: Quail and Pheasants on the Kansas Landscape



If you’ve filled out your share of government surveys and paperwork, this is something different.



Researchers at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, want to hear directly from Kansas landowners and leaseholders about what helps (and what gets in the way) when it comes to managing working lands for wildlife.



At the heart of the study are bobwhite quail and pheasants—species that have long been part of Kansas farms, grasslands, hunting traditions, and rural communities. The survey asks landowners and leaseholder about their interest in managing habitat for these birds and what makes that kind of management practical on working lands. We want to understand the real-world factors behind wildlife and game bird management decisions. What motivates landowners to manage for quail and pheasants? What gets in the way? And what could make voluntary habitat conservation programs work better for Kansas landowners?



You do not need to currently manage for quail or pheasants, or participate in a conservation program, to take part. Hearing from landowners who are interested, unsure, or not interested in wildlife and game bird management is all valuable. Responses are confidential, and the findings will be used to help provide recommendations to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.



Have a say in what wildlife conservation looks like on Kansas working lands. Complete the survey at https://uga.questionpro.com/kansaslandownersurvey.

08/14/2026

When people talk about stocking rate, they often focus on the number of cattle a pasture can support.

But that number starts with the grass. Before a stocking rate is determined, managers consider three important questions:

🌾 How much forage is available?
Estimate the amount of forage your pasture is producing. More grass does not always mean more grazing. Production changes with rainfall, soil type, and pasture condition.

🌱 How much of that forage should be used?
Not every pound of forage should be grazed. Leaving adequate plant material behind helps maintain healthy roots, protects the soil, and supports future plant growth.

📅 When will livestock be grazing?
The timing and length of the grazing period matter. Stocking rates that work during one season may not be appropriate during another because forage growth and plant recovery change throughout the year.

A sustainable stocking rate balances forage production, proper utilization, and grazing timing. When those three pieces work together, both livestock and pastures benefit.

07/01/2026

Don’t forget that the office will be closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day!

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable 4th of July! Happy 250th!!

06/25/2026

Very interesting! Good luck everyone!

The annual KDA Photo Contest is now open! We know that summer in Kansas is particularly photogenic, but this summer we want you to focus on all four seasons, as they are the categories for this year’s contest: Spring into the Fields, Life in the Summer, Fall on the Farm, and Winter at Work.

Entries accepted now through August 16 (email them to [email protected] -- must include title, description, location, category of photo entry); all entries will then be posted on KDA social media for voting. This contest is open to Kansas residents only, and all photos must be taken in Kansas. Other guidelines for the contest can be found at: www.agriculture.ks.gov/photocontest.

06/18/2026

The office will be closed

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

USD 105 Updated Job Openings. Looking forward to an amazing 2026-27 school year!

06/09/2026

Tomorrow, June 10th, is the last day to turn in your applications the FY2027 Cost Share Program!

05/18/2026

FY2027 Cost Share Signup is open through June 10th

Some of the projects that have been funded through our water resource program are: Terraces, Windbreaks, Grassed Waterways, Livestock Ponds (Pit), Livestock wells, and Solar Pumping plants.

Some of the projects that have been funded through our Non-Point Source program are: Septic systems and abandoned water well plugging.

Before a landowner can be approved or construction can begin, they will need to have:
A conservation plan developed and signed
Their application MUST be approved, signed, and returned to our office.

If you wish to sign up for any of these funds you can stop by the RCCD office @ 1001 Sherman Street (USDA Bldg) or email Lisa @ [email protected] or call 785-626-8979

Funding is provided by the Division of Conservation, Kansas Department of Agriculture, through appropriation from the Kansas Water Plan Fund.