Marty Bender Nature Area

Beginning at Prairie Festival 2019, The Land Institute officially welcomed the public to visit our Marty Bender Nature Area. Features have included art installations, plant and wildlife viewing, a tree swing and picnic area, scenic overlooks of the river and Salina region, and a community book share box.

With the generous support of private philanthropists, The Land Institute acquired the nature area property in 2002 from the trust of Oliver Haag. Farmers and ranchers used “Haag Place” in the past. In 2004, The Land Institute named the property in commemoration of Marty Bender, former energy scientist at The Land Institute, who was also a naturalist. In 2018, local volunteers and friends of The Land Institute designed and made the trail in collaboration with our staff.

In addition, they milled local Osage orange wood for benches and signage along the route. As a site for research, education, and community engagement, the nature area has since hosted events such as tours, community work days, and Ecosphere Studies workshops.