SALINA, Kansas – March 9, 2026 – The Land Institute is proud to announce the launch of “Community Days at Marty Bender Nature Area,” a new public event series designed to immerse community members in the interconnectedness of agriculture, ecology, and art.

Rooted in The Land Institute’s decades of mission-driven research and guided by the transformative work of its Perennial Cultures Lab, this free, recurring event series will take place at the 200-acre Marty Bender Nature Area, near the institute’s Salina, Kansas, campus. The site features a 3-mile public access trail weaving through working hay fields, remnant prairie, and a woodland corridor along the Smoky Hill River, offering a living example of the vibrant, diverse perennial ecosystems at the heart of The Land Institute’s mission.

The first event is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm. Sign up for the event here. 

The day will focus on the nature area’s ongoing struggle with invasive Amur honeysuckle and showcase eco-art’s creative potential—inviting participants to join in landscape restoration and artistic expression by transforming locally sourced invasive species into collaborative art. Representatives from Prairie Works Designs will join the event.

> What: “Community Days” Event Series Kickoff: Landscape Restoration & Eco-Art
> When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
> Where: Marty Bender Nature Area, Salina, Kansas
> Cost: Free and open to the public
> Registration: RSVP for the event here

The new Community Days series will feature special guests, shared meals, and hands-on activities designed to empower participants to co-create solutions for a more sustainable world. Attendees will build community and enjoy time in nature through experiences such as observing ornate box turtles, exploring the microecologies of vernal pools, and reflecting on the rich history and promising future of Kansas agriculture.

“At the Perennial Cultures Lab, we believe that transforming agriculture is as much about culture as it is about agriculture,” said Chris Reimer, Land Relations Research Manager and curator of the series. “At Community Days, people can feed their curiosity about the natural world, share laughs and meals, and create something meaningful on the landscape while getting their hands dirty. My hope is that these events will provide a welcoming space for reflection and collective action to heal degraded agricultural lands and strengthen our rural communities. By sharing knowledge and forging new connections, we can co-create a more caring, resilient, and sustainable future here in Salina and beyond.”

The Perennial Cultures Lab at The Land Institute works to shift the culture of agriculture by fostering dialogue, collaboration, and creative engagement across disciplines and communities. This program is a key part of The Land Institute’s mission to transform agriculture perennially—developing perennial grain crops and systems that partner with nature to feed humanity and regenerate ecosystems for generations to come. Visit The Land Institute’s website to stay connected, learn more, and sign up for updates on future Community Days at Marty Bender Nature Area. The Institute invites all to join in future events, tour opportunities, and ongoing conversations about a perennial future for food and farming.

About The Land Institute: The Land Institute is leading a global movement to transform agriculture and secure a sustainable future for all. They develop perennial crops and advocate for systems that work with nature to feed humanity and repair our environment. They collaborate with farmers, scientists, and with the plants themselves to evolve humanity’s relationship with the earth: from taking to sharing; from depletion to restoration. The Land Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1976 in Salina, Kansas, USA.

Media Contact: Tammy Kimbler Chief Communications Officer, The Land Institute, media.line@landinstitute.org, +1 785.823.5376