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Mined Land Wildlife Areas #20-23
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Photo by Jim Mason |
Dig into this one! Years ago huge motorized shovels stripped the
overburden of earth here so that underlying coal could be removed. Over time the land has
become a rough and rolling tract of shrublands, woodlands, and grasslands
weaving around long, deep lakes and numerous small pits. |
 Cottonwood, elm, hackberry, and oaks compose the
woodlands. Native bluestems, switchgrass, and indiangrass
have been planted as part of the wildlife management plan. An area office is
located on unit 21 as is a 30-acre Canada goose restoration pen. The geese can
be viewed year-round. Many species of dabbling and diving ducks, as well as
osprey, can be seen during spring and fall migrations. In winter bald eagles are
occasionally sighted around the lakes. Northern harriers are commonly seen over
the grasslands. Several species of water turtles, beaver, muskrats, and raccoons
are abundant around the pits throughout the year. The woodlands hold squirrels,
owls, wild turkeys, and many songbirds. Watch in the evening and early morning
for foxes, coyotes, bobcats, bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbits, and
white-tailed deer.
White Penstemon is common along the
roadsides in May.
2 cabins (make a reservation
online).
Discover what to see, eat and do in Kansas.
Plan your trip today, at TravelKS.com!
 No developed
hiking trails.
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Canoeing is allowed on all Mined Land
Wildlife Area waters. The Deer Trace Canoe
Trail is within areas 20 & 21. Access is from S. 80th Street
between NW Bellview and NW Star Valley Roads. |
Click the icon to find a birding list for Cherokee County.
Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches
Directions: From the junction of
US-160 and K-7 at
Columbus, drive 7 miles west on US-160. Travel 4 miles north on
NW 70th Street, then 0.5 miles west on NW Bellview
Road to get to the area field office.
Brochures are available at a kiosk there.
To view a Google Map of this site,
click here.
You may also download the brochure for the Mined Land Wildlife
Areas from
the KDWP web site,
or write
the area office at:
Mined Land Wildlife Area
507 E. 560th Ave.
Pittsburg, KS 66762
Ownership:
The entity responsible for management of this site is the
Kansas
Department of Wildlife, Parks &
Tourism. Call them at (620) 431-0380
if you have specific questions about use or management of the site.
2,000 acres
(The total area within all 46 parcels in the MLWA is over
14,000 acres)
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Funded by the
Chickadee Checkoff Program
Click here for a brochure! |
The Natural
Kansas web site
© 2011
by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
& Tourism.
Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use
requires written permission. If you are a Kansas resident, please
assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs
by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form. |
Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
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