“It’s just wrong, you know? It’s, like, decades and decades of just stomping on Haskell and twisting the knife, as far as no justice for indigenous people in Lawrence,” said Courtney King.
According to a university statement, Baker University has been approached by a private investment firm interested in purchasing a 16-acre triangular parcel of land located directly north of the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center to develop affordable housing. The property is situated southeast of Kansas Highway 10 and northeast of the intersection of North 1250 and East 1350 roads. Baker University plans to sell a portion of 927 acres of one of Kansas’ most diverse habitats. The Wetlands boast an impressive biodiversity, with over 278 species of birds, 98 other vertebrate species, and 487 plant species. This area is vital for education, exploration, and community engagement.
In 1968, Baker University was given this parcel of land by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, taking 57% of historical Haskell land. Baker University was given this land with the singular condition of the deed to this land, which was that the university used it for educational purposes for a minimum of 30 years. With the terms of this deed expiring in 1998, Baker is no longer required to protect the wetlands and can, theoretically, choose what to do with it. In 2016, Baker University was given more land from the SLT (South Lawrence Trafficway) mitigations and permanent funding for their Wetlands Discovery Center.
Baker University stated, “This parcel of land is not part of the Baker Wetlands and is not positioned within the floodplain.” Although this parcel of land is not located in the floodplain, according to a map found on the Douglas County website, the parcel drains into the floodplain and serves to filter drinking water and manage flooding. The sale of this parcel of land opens the door for pollution, damaging the ecosystem and surrounding environment, specifically air pollution from the work trucks and cars used by people living in the development. Water pollution is another cause for concern; while they are developing the land, the runoff of chemicals and sediment that would come from the development eventually into the Haskell and Baker Wetlands– harming the animals that live there, specifically migratory birds.
Courtney King (Peoria/Miami), Haskell Alumni, is part of a group of activists hoping to stop the sale of the land and ultimately give the land back to Haskell Indian Nations University. Coming from Shawnee, Kansas, King has been invested in the Haskell Wetlands since about 2022 and has developed a deep relationship with scientific research and restoration within the wetlands. King is part of a group of activists who are working to stop the sale of this land and stop development in the Wakarusa River Valley.
“I think they are definitely noticing; it’s kind of hard not to notice. That news really stirred up a lot of, um, emotions in people. So, you know, there’s always going to be some people who are like, ‘Who cares?’ There’s definitely that, but a lot of people who have seen the news and know what’s ongoing are completely against it, most of them,” said King.
The ‘Save the Wakarusa River Valley’ group on Facebook comprises over 200 community members working to protect the Wakarusa Valley from growing development. The goal of this group is a more holistic, sustainable approach to development to help protect the floodplain. This Facebook page is the hub of information for anyone wanting to get involved or learn more about what is happening. The page has different flyers of what is going on and how to get involved, as well as videos talking about the history of Haskell and Baker, the South Lawrence Trafficway, and what will be ongoing with the sale of this land.
To get involved with this group or to learn more about what’s going on with development in the Wakarusa Valley, follow this link to follow the Facebook page.
