Haskell Indian Nations University and Wakarusa Wetlands Tour 

Fri. Oct. 11, 1:00-4:00
Cost: $10
Dr. Jay Johnson, KU Dept. of Geography and Atmospheric Science

The Wakarusa wetlands once covered an area of over 18,000 acres in a Yazoo type wet prairie ecology of cordgrass, sedges, aster, and gamagrass attracting a tremendous diversity of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and medicinal plants. Most of the wetlands were drained in the 19th century for cultivation and flood control, but a portion was preserved as part of the Haskell Indian Nations University and later transferred to Baker University. Both universities still maintain the wetlands, now bisected by the South Lawrence Trafficway. This tour will visit and learn about Haskell’s history, including sites related to the wetlands and the 25-year struggle to stop the construction of the Trafficway. We will also visit Baker University’s Wetlands Discovery Center to learn about their restoration efforts.

Meet at 12:45 at the entrance to the Oread Hotel for a 1:00 departure.


Kansas City “Heart of America” Tour (FULL – Registration closed)

Fri. Oct. 11, 10:00-4:00
Cost: $20
Dr. Kirk McClure, KU Dept. of Urban Planning

Kansas City calls itself the “Heart of America,” and the tour will see what makes it beat.  Historically, Kansas City was a cattle and railroad town.  The tour will begin on the bluffs above the West Bottoms where the cattle stock yards met the railroad tracks with a view of both Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas.  From there the tour will look at the old and the new downtowns as well as the “Black Downtown,” the 18th and Vine Jazz district.  Lunch will be at one of the famous Kansas City barbeque houses (cost not included).  The tour will see the County Club Plaza which is the nation’s first planned shopping center, built in the 1920s and now operating as a fashionable in-town retail district.  The tour will finish up at the World War I Memorial before returning to Lawrence.

Meet at 9:45 at the entrance to the Oread Hotel for a 10:00 departure.


Cloud-based Geospatial Analysis Using Google Earth Engine – Workshop

Fri. Oct 11, 2:00-4:00 – Room 403, Lindley Hall, KU Campus
No cost, maximum of 25 participants
Dr. Xingong Li, KU Dept. of Geography and Atmospheric Science

Google Earth Engine (GEE) is a cloud-based platform for planetary-scale geospatial data analysis which combines Google-scale storage and processing power. This 2-hour workshop will introduce the Google Earth Engine (GEE) and showcase its capability through a hands-on section where we will work through some scripts that are used in global environmental analysis.

Requirements. Participants in the workshop must provide their own laptop computers and must get permission to access GEE by filling out this sign-up form prior to the workshop. It is also highly recommended that participants install Google Chrome on their computers for the workshop.

Meet directly at the workshop classroom (403 Lindley Hall) at 2:00.

Recommended parking: Allen Fieldhouse Garage