Join us for Community Days at Marty Bender Nature Area in Salina, Kansas! The second event in the new series takes place on April 25th, 2026, from 6:30 am – 12:00 pm. All activities take place at the Marty Bender Nature Area located at 3028 S Holmes Rd, Salina, KS 67401.

Special guest Rachel Bieker (Roots & Wings) will start the day by leading the community in a sunrise yoga session. Additionally, Westen Gehring and Anita Chase from The Land Institute will join local band Treehouse for an acoustic set on the prairie. Neva Heikes (Smoky Hills Audubon Society) and David Van Tassel (Lead Scientist at The Land Institute) will also lead a guided 3-mile birding and plant identification hike.  

The Community Days series focuses on experiential learning, community building, land stewardship, and creative placemaking. Community Days are designed for those interested in the intersections of agriculture, ecology, and art, offering ways to build a more sustainable future through hands-on engagement near our campus headquarters. Our April 25th event is part of The Land Institute’s Earth Week 2026 activities, which include collaborations with local restaurants and businesses serving Kernza® perennial grain during the week of April 20th.

The schedule for this event includes:

• 6:30 – 7:30 am: Sunrise yoga suitable for all levels and designed to usher in the energy of the day with the rhythm of your breath
• 7:30-9 am: Social hour with free coffee and light snacks. Share stories, go for a walk, or take some time to admire the artistic work of the local En Plein Air club, which will be set up painting landscapes throughout the day.
• 9 – 10 am: Live music by Treehouse, Westen Gehring, and Anita Chase
• 10 am – 12 pm: Guided birding and prairie plant hike with David Van Tassel of The Land Institute and Neva Heikes of the Smoky Hills Audubon Society.

We welcome guests of all ages and abilities. All activities are free to attend, and guests can come and go as they like throughout the day. Seating is available for the social hour and live music set, and a restroom will be available throughout the day. You can also bring your own blanket and supplies (toys, cooler of food and drinks, etc) to fully enjoy the morning with us!

Please RSVP using the form below so that we have a good estimate of total numbers. This will also allow us to communicate to you via email on the day before the event with instructions and final details. Note that this event is subject to the weather.