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Kansas Environmental Program announces graduates for 2008Kansas The Kansas Environmental Leadership Program announced in early December that 23 Kansans have graduated as the KELP Class of 2008. Those graduates include: Angela Beavers of Junction City, Kan.; Peggy Blackman, Marion; Scott Bowen, Wichita; Constance Buckner, Topeka; Julie Coleman, Lawrence; Jeff Conley, Cheney; Ann D'Alfonso, Ottawa; Evelyn Davis, Topeka; Kay Drennen, Wichita; Trevor Flynn, Lawrence; Keri Harris, Ottawa; Brian Lindley, Wamego; Sondra Megrail, Topeka; Cheri Miller, Kansas City; Connie Pantle, Effingham; Cameron Peirce, Hutchinson; Renda Robertson, North Newton; Keith Van Skike, Norton; Leon Staab, Olathe; Wallace Weber, Dorrance; Dan Wells, Hays; Michael Wilson, Derby; and Travis Zwenger, Wichita. "KELP has a way of bringing into focus the real issues related to water quality," said graduate Cameron Peirce. Class members participate in five training sessions over a 10-month period in communities throughout the state, said KELP coordinator Judy Willingham. The sessions help members hone their leadership skills, as well as learn about the environment and water resources of Kansas. The program is administered through Kansas State University's Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Each year, KELP groups produce several projects designed to bring environmental awareness to Kansans, Willingham said. For example, a team in the 2008 class developed and implemented a public educational campaign to make Kansans aware of and/or help them better enjoy recreation on the Arkansas River near Wichita and Derby. The KELP members collaborated with university students to design informational materials for an annual river festival in the area. Another KELP team put together a radio contest on environmental trivia. Listeners were given a chance to win prizes by correctly answering questions based on informative segments previously aired. Several radio stations in northwest Kansas broadcast the contest on Earth Day. As in previous classes, this year's participants came from many professions, Willingham said. They included farmers, ranchers, conservation service employees, Extension agents, state water quality specialists, educators and environmental scientists. "The availability of high-quality water is fundamental for a community to attract new residents, industry and tourism," Willingham said. "Plus, farmers and rural citizens know the importance of high-quality water for livestock and healthy crop growth. "To ensure the future of high-quality water, it is vital that citizens take a leadership role in protecting their water resources." More information about the Kansas Environmental Leadership Program is available by accessing http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/kelp/ on the Web or contacting Willingham by phone at 785-532-5813 or e-mail at judymw@ksu.edu. 12/15/08 Date: 12/11/08
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