Submitted
The Ellis County Conservation District has selected Eric and Lori Flax as the recipient of the 2021 Wildlife Habitat Award.
In January 2014, Eric and Lori Flax were able to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning farmland when they purchased a 30-acre pasture south of Walker. The parcel was mainly grassland with a nice mix of mature trees growing on both sides of a portion of Big Creek that ran through the center of the property.
Eric enjoys hunting turkey and bow hunting deer. Lori and their son, Adam, enjoy watching the wildlife and spending time in the country. This pasture was a place they could do that.
There was also an opportunity to help enhance the wildlife habitat. The west edge of the property was bordered by the county road. In order to provide a buffer between the road and the pasture, in May 2014, with the aid of Landon Leiker and the conservation office, a cost sharing wildlife habitat project was approved to plant a shelter belt. Eastern red cedars were purchased from the Kansas Forest Service and weed barrier was purchased from the Ellis County Conservation District. Lori’s father, Ralph Wellbrock, and his tractor were enlisted to help plant a two-row, 210 yard cedar shelter belt. Drip irrigation was set up to aid the newly planted trees take root and grow. Besides creating a barrier, the shelter belt would also provide thermal cover and wind protection.
With the shelter belt growing in nicely, Eric and Lori again consulted the conservation district staff in March 2017 about additional habitat projects. After discussing the various programs available, Eric and Lori entered into an Environmental Quality Incentive Program cost share contract to plant native warm season grass strips.
The grass strips were mapped out to create edge habitat and to act as a buffer on the north, south and west edges of the pasture. Strips were also laid out on both sides of the lease road that provided access to the producing oil well and tank battery in the pasture. A seed blend was selected to benefit the pollinators as well as the wildlife.
Eric has planted fruit trees and established food plots edged with screening cover all with the intention of providing additional food sources and cover for the wildlife.
Eric and Lori have been pleased with the progress and the results of their habitat projects. Even with the limitations of what most would consider a small parcel, the impact of these projects can provide long-lasting and far-reaching benefits.
The Ellis County Conservation District is honored to present Eric and Lori Flax with the 2021 Wildlife Habitat Award for their conservation efforts.