Baker Proud Summer 2018 - 20

BAKER PROUD | Summer 2018

On June 30, Roger will retire after 42 years of service
ven a visionary like Dr. Ivan Boyd, former Baker
to the Wetlands and to Baker, and he is confident he is
University biology professor and member of the
leaving this family legacy in capable hands. "Jon has been
Faculty Hall of Fame, couldn't have foreseen the
immersed, sometimes literally, in the Wetlands longer
transformation of the 573 acres deeded to Baker
than anyone else around, except me," Roger said. In 1994
University in August 1968. Through Boyd's efforts, Bakhe built the first section of the original Boardwalk to Naer acquired the land free of charge to use for education,
ture as his Eagle Scout service project
research, and the preservation of the existing
and was involved in many projects at
wetland habitat. He envisioned converting
the Wetlands throughout his undergradall of the crop fields and pasture, which had
uate years at Baker University. "Jon was
originally been wetlands, to useful wildlife
essential in the negotiations with KDOT
habitat and use it as a field lab for Baker
[Kansas Department of Transportation]
students, as well as others in the community.
to develop the mitigation and compenHis goal was to bring Baker students to the
sation plan that was agreed to in 2012.
area to experience and be a part of the presHe was the contact person for KDOT
ervation and restoration process.
and the multiple contractors for the
Today, the Wetlands encompasses 927
SLT [South Lawrence Trafficway, which
acres (80 percent have been restored to wetwas a source of conflict from 1985 until
lands), more than 11 miles of hiking trails,
a plan was agreed to in 2012] and the
and the Discovery Center, an 11,000-squareDiscovery Center," he added.
foot education facility. Thousands of Baker
In preparation for Roger's retirement,
students and thousands more local school
Jenny Kilburg was hired in August 2017
children have visited and conducted reto serve as the education and outreach
search. "All of this is way beyond his wildest
specialist. "Jenny has only been with
expectations," said Roger Boyd, '69, of his
Elden Tefft Wildcat sculpture
us for about eight months, and yet she
father's goals.
has had a tremendous impact on our educational mission
The Boyd family has been instrumental in the project
in that short period," Roger said. "She is very enthusiastic
from the beginning. Ivan Boyd was the first to oversee the
about our mission and the potential we have."
wetlands. Roger, biology professor emeritus, who taught
Killburg has been active in the popular annual monfull time for nearly 30 years at Baker, was a Baker stuarch butterfly tagging event and has initiated the Wednesdent when his father started the project and served as the
day Wee Walk for children 5 and under. The first Wee Walk
education coordinator from March 2015 until August 2017.
attracted more than 60 children and their caregivers, so
Jon Boyd, '00, Ivan's grandson, who grew up helping his
the event was expanded to Thursdays as well.
father with several projects at the site, is the director of
the Wetlands.

The Baker Wetlands Discovery Center offers many learning opportunities year-round.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Baker Proud Summer 2018