The Haskell-Baker Wetlands is one of my favorite places in Kansas. Although it's only a few minutes south of Lawrence and doesn't look terribly exciting from the roads nearby, a short walk into the Wetlands will transport you to a Kansas landscape untouched by man (except, of course, for the power lines, boardwalk, birdhouses and the tracks from pioneer wagon trains that helped carve out the canals).
Life and death have a strong presence in the Wetlands, whether it's the plants coming to life in spring, the huge flocks of birds in the fall, the bright yellow flowers in september, the furry remains of a dead animal in the snow. In addition to the many cycles of natural life on display in the Wetlands, the area contains a historical andcultural significance to Native American peoples, who have ancestors buried there and regard it as sacred.
Oddly enough, I heard very little about the Wetlands while I was a student at KU, but have since been back at least once each season to walk, write or take pictures with Jennifer. Seeing the area in all seasons is, in my opinion, critical to gaining an appreciation of the place. You can go in late November and be totally unimpressed by the lack of color only to go back in a dazzling snowfall a week later, or surrounded by bright greens and blues in the spring or summer.
The most exciting things to me are the signs of life you uncover after spending some time in the Wetlands. What looks at first like a bunch of puddles and trees slowly reveals itself to be the home of turtles, beavers, snakes, coyotes, birds, butterflies and all kinds of other animals. Though you're often more likely to encounter the animals indirectly (through paw prints in the mud or splashes from the ponds, for example) it becomes increasing clear that you're just one of many living things in the area.
The Wetlands are also great for engendering ideas and creativity. Even if it's just a handful of haiku, the Wetlands inspire me in some way every visit. In 2005, a collection of poems, essays, artwork and photos entitled "The Wakarusa Wetlands in Word & Image" was compiled by poet Denise Lowe. It's well worth checking out.
You would think a place of such importance to Native American peoples, students and nature enthusiasts would be well protected by city government, but the Wetlands are still caught up in a decades-long political battle over whether a trafficway should be built right through its core. One side thinks the road should be built through the existing Wetlands, while another argues that the existing wetlands should be protected because of their cultural, educational, recreational and environmental significance (source: New Wetlands Taking Shape, a recent article in the Lawrence Journal-World).
In 1986, a group of Lawrence environmentalists nominated the fictitious Agnes T. Frog for city commission to help draw attention to the Wetlands and other environmental issues (she did not win, although she did receive 30 percent of the vote and national media attention). Over 20 years later, the issue is still a contentious one, and with Agnes officially retired from local politics, it's up to a new generation of Lawrencians to education themselves on and voice their own concerns about the issue.
A quick search of the word "Wetlands" on the LJ-World site will reveal hundreds of stories about the controversy over the Wetlands' future. A great profile of the Wetlands' history and future can be found here. Another resource is www.savethewetlands.org, which is where I found the above collage by Jerry Sipe.
The best way to learn about the Wetlands is to explore them yourself. Just look for the small gateway between Haskell and Louisiana on 31st Street south of Lawrence. If you're not close to the area and would like a virtual tour, here's a photoset of pictures Jennifer and I took over four or five different visits. If you can get past the shots of us wading through tall grass or having sneezing fits in flower patches, you'll find some nice colorful photos from all four seasons.
Happy Earth Day to you.
LW
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