KOS Spring Meeting, May 4-6, 2007
Sabetha, Brown County

The KOS spring meeting will be held in the glaciated region of northeast Kansas, with Sabetha serving as home base. Glaciers covered this area during the Pleistocene Epoch, between 1.6 million and 10 thousand years ago. In some places, this ice sheet was 500 feet thick. As glaciers advanced, they pulverized rocks and sediments in their path.  As they melted, this pulverized rock (silt) was deposited on the floodplains by streams coming from the melting ice sheet. Downwind deposits of dried soil developed the deep loess hills of northeastern Kansas, especially in Brown and Doniphan counties and along the bluffs of the Missouri River as far south as Kansas City. 

Bluff forest, agricultural fields and pasture dominate the landscape spotted by small lakes.  There may be opportunities to access the Missouri River in Doniphan County in extreme northeast Kansas. Target species include warblers, since spring migration will be in full force.

Schedule of Events

Friday, May 4
6:00 p.m.—Informal reception at Sycamore Springs Campground. Listen for owls and nightjars after dark.
8:00 p.m.—Board meeting.

Saturday, May 5
6:30 a.m.—Leave for all-day field trips. 
6:30 p.m.—Evening banquet and fellowship at the Sycamore Springs Club House in Sabetha.

Sunday, May 6
6:30 a.m. — Half-day field trips depart.
Noon—Compilation. Meet at the Sycamore Springs Campground for a catered lunch.

Field Trips: Opportunities are still being explored.  Possibilities include trips in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska:

    Brown State Fishing Lake
    Mission Lake
    Pony Creek Lake
    Nemeha Wildlife Area
    Nemeha County State Park
    Missouri River/Bluff Forest Squaw Creek NWR (Missouri)
    Indian Cave State Park (Nebraska)

Lodging: There are few lodging options in Sabetha.  Please make reservations early.

    Sabetha Country Inn, (785) 284-2300
    Koch Motel, (785) 284-2145
    Sycamore Springs: campgrounds, primitive cabins and hotel rooms, (785) 284-3088
    Country Gardens Inc B & B, (785) 284-3119 (limited availability)
    Mulberry Creek: campground and cabins, (888) 459-1595

Dining: This is the complete list of restaurants in Sabetha:

    Gus’ Grill, (785) 284-2555
    Buzz Café and Oxen House, (785) 284-3177
    Dick's Steak and Smoke House, (785) 284-0555
    Dairy Queen, (785) 284-2049
    Pizza Hut, (785) 284-2117
    Subway Sandwiches, (785) 284-0333

Registration: Please mail registrations (form below) no later than April 20, and include full payment for registration and catered meals. Meal prices include beverages, dessert and gratuity. Cancellations may be made with a full refund until April 20.

Other than the Saturday banquet and Sunday lunch, participants are responsible for meals and snacks. All participants must sign the liability release on the registration form in order to participate in any portion of this meeting.