Northern Map Turtle Urn
1993 State of Kansas listed as Threatened

The northern map turtle inhabits ponds, rivers, and lakes. They prefer large bodies of water and areas with fallen trees and other debris for basking. Northern map turtles spend the winter under water and do not surface to breathe, especially when ice cover makes this impossible. Adults rest on the bottom or wedged underneath rocks or logs and often hibernate communally with other northern map turtles. These turtles need well oxygenated because, unlike some other turtle species such as painted turtles, map turtles need to absorb oxygen from the water to survive the winter. Silt build up in the water is difficult for the Map Turtle, so dredging of Kansas rivers is a challenge to this species. Map turtles are considered habitat specialists and may be replaced by a more tolerant species when their habitat is altered. Unfortunately, the effects of human interference by way boating and recreation on shorelines are likely impeding the map turtle from re-establishing itself in natural areas. Thus, populations of Northern map turtles have declined across their entire natural range but they remain widespread and may be abundant in some locations.[6] This species has classified as least concern by the IUCN.

For more information: Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Urn
1989 Federally listed as Threatened

The western prairie fringed orchid was historically found throughout the tallgrass regions of North America. This included the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and Manitoba.

Habitat: The western prairie fringed orchid occurs in moist tallgrass prairies and sedge meadows. Fortunately, the western prairie fringed orchid is well adapted to survive fires. Light grazing does not appear to negatively affect the western prairie fringed orchid, although researchers are still studying the relationship. Pollination of the western prairie fringed orchid appears to be accomplished only by hawkmoths. This species is struggling on account of development, human encroachment on their natural lands causing shrinking prairies across the Midwest.

For more information: fws.gov

Prairie Chicken Urn
2004 IUCN red listed as Vulnerable, 2014 Federally listed as Threatened

The greater prairie chicken was once abundant, but has become extremely rare and extirpated over much of its range due to habitat loss. Conservation measures are underway to ensure the sustainability of existing small populations. One of the most famous aspects of these creatures is the mating ritual called booming. A threat to the prairie chickens comes in the form of spring rains. These drenching rains can wreak havoc on their chicks. Another major natural threat is drought. A drought can destroy food and make it difficult for the chicks. Human interactions are by far the greatest threat. The conversion of native prairie to cropland is very detrimental to these birds. It was found by Kansas State University that “most prairie chicken hens avoided nesting or rearing their broods within a quarter-mile of power lines and within a third-mile of improved roads.” It was also found that the prairie-chickens avoided communication towers and rural farms. After population bottleneck, human management of populations can also produce a loss of genetic variation and genetic diversity in the species.[8]

For more information: ksoutdoors.com

Black Footed Ferret Urn
1978 State of Kansas listed as Endangered, 1982 Federally listed as Endangered

The black-footed ferret is listed as endangered by the IUCN, because of its very small and restricted populations. The species declined throughout the 20th century, primarily as a result of decreases in prairie dog populations and sylvatic plague. It was declared extinct in 1979 until Lucille Hogg’s dog brought a dead black-footed ferret to her door in Meeteetse, Wyoming in 1981. That remnant population of a few dozen ferrets lasted there until the animals were considered extinct in the wild in 1987. However, a captive breeding program launched by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service resulted in its reintroduction into eight western states, Canada and Mexico from 1991 to 2009. There are now over 1,000 mature, wild-born individuals in the wild across 18 populations, with five self-sustaining populations in South Dakota (two), Arizona, Wyoming and Saskatchewan. It was first listed as ‘Endangered’ in 1982, then listed as ‘Extinct in the Wild’ in 1996 before being downgraded back to ‘Endangered’ in 2008.

For more information: Wildlife, Parks & Toursium

America Bury Beetle Urn
1989 Federally listed as Endangered and the IUCN list.

The American burying beetle is a critically endangered species of beetleendemic to North America.[1] This beetle is carnivorous and feeds on carrion (decaying dead animals). It is also one of the few species of beetle to exhibit parental care. The decline of the American burying beetle has been attributed to habitat loss, alteration, and degradation, and they now occur over less than 10% of their historic range. Biologists have not determined conclusively why these beetles have disappeared from so many areas. Widespread use of pesticides may have caused local populations to disappear. The dramatic disappearance of this insect from many areas, however, took place before widespread use of DDT. Lack of small carcasses to bury would prevent the species from reproducing, and changes in land use has reduced their food source. Even the extinction of the once ubiquitous passenger pigeon may have had a ripple effect on carrion feeders like this beetle.
The immediate goal of conservation efforts is to reduce the threat of extinction by creating captive and wild populations. Biologists have attempted to establish a beetle population releasing laboratory-raised American burying beetles.

For more information: ksoutdoors.com

Highfin Carpsucker Urn
1978 Kansas State listed as Species in need of Consideration

The highfin carpsucker is a freshwater fish found in the southeastern and midwestern United States. It is a silvery fish with a prominent dorsal fin, and forages on sandy or gravelly bottoms for such small invertebrates as crustaceans, protozoa and mollusks as well as filamentous algae. Young fish are preyed on by northern pike, muskellunge, walleye and largemouth bass and larger fish are caught by recreational fishermen. The highfin carpsucker competes with catfish and does not thrive in rivers with high levels of siltation. Populations have decline most severely in areas with love stock as well as rivers that have become thick with silt. The highfin carpsucker is very sensitive to dredging and has not been seen in Kansas in 20 years.

For more information: ksoutdoors.com