Kansas Biological Survey

What Kansas Biological Survey does

Kansas Biological Survey (KBS), formally the Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research, is a University of Kansas designated research center that has also held dual status as a non-regulatory state agency since 1959. It conducts ecological research, biological monitoring, and environmental assessment work primarily for federal and state government agencies, the academic community, and the public.

KBS operates as a portfolio of specialized research programs and physical infrastructure rather than a single product. Its core assets include the 3,200-acre KU Field Station spanning 11 reserves across three counties; the INVAM collection, the world's largest living collection of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; the internationally recognized Monarch Watch program; the Kansas Applied Remote Sensing (KARS) program with interactive public mapping tools; the Lake Assessment Lab, which provides bathymetric mapping, sediment coring, and real-time water quality monitoring; and the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory, which serves as Kansas's representative to NatureServe's North American biodiversity network. Additional capacity is provided through the Central Plains Center for BioAssessment (aquatic research for USEPA Region 7) and the Ecosystems Research Group.

KBS funds its operations almost entirely through competitive grant funding rather than commercial sales. Federal agencies (NSF, USGS, EPA, DOE, USDA) supply 90.1% of research support, Kansas state agencies (Wildlife & Parks, Water Office, Department of Health and Environment, Department of Agriculture) supply 6.3%, and other states, non-profits, and for-profit entities supply 3.6%. In FY2025, KBS held 65 active research projects totaling $21.5 million in active funding and produced 53 peer-reviewed publications. Outreach is delivered through seminars, public events, the Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute for teachers, and free access to KU Field Station trails and learning facilities.

Name

Kansas Biological Survey

Legal name

Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research

Website

https://biosurvey.ku.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kansas Biological Survey is a University of Kansas research center and state agency that conducts ecological research, biodiversity monitoring, and environmental assessment for federal and Kansas state agencies, academic researchers, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ecological Research Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Forestry (800), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Terrestrial Ecology & Habitat Surveys (EUAHAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE), Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM), Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD), Natural Resource Inventory & Forest/Woodland Assessments (Timber, Vegetation, Invasives) (EUAHAHAG), Soil Testing & Nutrient Analysis Services (AFACAKAA), Soil Health & Biological Testing Services (Microbial Activity, Organic Matter, Respiration) (AFACAKAD)

Keywords

• Ecological research services
• Aquatic assessment monitoring
• Biodiversity data inventory
• Biological field station
• Remote sensing applications

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Research Grants: Primary funding source representing 90.1% of research funding, acquired through competitive grant applications to federal agencies including NSF, USGS, EPA, DOE, and USDA
2. State Agency Contracts: Contracts with Kansas state agencies (Kansas Water Office, Kansas Dept. of Wildlife & Parks, Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment, Kansas Dept. of Agriculture) representing 6.3% of funding
3. State Agency Status: Since 1959, KBS has held dual status as a non-regulatory state agency, providing assessment and research services to Kansas
4. Other Support: Funding from other states, for-profit organizations, and non-profits representing 3.6% of research support

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research conducts ecological field research and provides scientific assessment services to state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and the public. It operates an array of specialized research programs including the INVAM living fungal collection, Monarch Watch tracking program, KARS remote sensing, aquatic/lake assessment labs, and the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory. It also manages the 3,200-acre KU Field Station and delivers professional development programming for science educators.

Product overview

Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research is a research institution and state agency that operates as a collection of specialized research programs and services rather than a unified software product. The organization offers ecosystem research through multiple labs (Ecosystems Research Group, Aquatic Assessment Labs, Lake Assessment Lab), biodiversity tracking via the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory, and remote sensing through the Kansas Applied Remote Sensing (KARS) program. Key collections and programs include INVAM (the world's largest mycorrhizal fungi collection) and Monarch Watch. The institution also manages the KU Field Station as a 3,200-acre research facility and provides educational outreach through Friday Ecology Seminars and the Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute for teachers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• INVAM (International Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) The world's largest living collection of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, curated as an international resource for ecosystem restoration and sustainability research, serving researchers and restoration practitioners globally.
• Monarch Watch An internationally known research, education, and monarch butterfly tracking program operated by the University of Kansas through KBS, serving educators, citizen scientists, and conservationists across North America through tagging and Monarch Waystation programs.
• Kansas Applied Remote Sensing (KARS) A program delivering environmental and agricultural applications of remote sensing technology through interactive maps and web-based tools including the Sentinel GreenReport and Kansas Lakes and Reservoirs mapping application, serving researchers, agencies, and the public.
• Lake Assessment Lab A research service conducting bathymetric lake mapping, sediment core analysis, and real-time water quality monitoring using in-lake buoys to assess reservoir health and harmful algal blooms in Kansas lakes for state agencies and water managers.
• Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory A biodiversity inventory service serving as the Kansas representative for the NatureServe Network, maintaining databases on 400+ rare plant taxa, 238 rare animal species, and 67 natural plant communities for conservation agencies, researchers, and project reviewers.
• Central Plains Center for BioAssessment (CPCB) A non-regulatory aquatic research organization that collaborates with state, tribal, federal, and academic scientists on aquatic ecology and water quality issues across USEPA Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska).
• KU Field Station A 3,200-acre university biological field station across three sites providing research facilities, public trails, and educational programming for KU researchers, students, visiting scientists, and the general public.
• Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute A four-day annual professional development program for middle and high school science teachers hosted at the KU Field Station, providing NGSS-aligned lessons and field-based science experiences and 28 professional development points through Jayhawk Global.

Quantifiable outcome

• 192 jobs; $4.7 million in labor income; $5.5 million in value added to Kansas economy; $1.2 million in tax revenue in FY2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• NatureServe NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1986Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory is a member of the NatureServe Network, a group of 60+ independent natural heritage programs and conservation data centers throughout North America. The partnership provides standardized data collection and sharing across jurisdictional boundaries for biodiversity conservation.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region 7)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral Plains Center for BioAssessment was created in 1998 by Director Donald Huggins to assist with coordination of regional-based nutrient criteria and biocriteria for waterbodies. The center collaborates with EPA Region 7 states (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) on aquatic ecology and water quality issues.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnderson County Prairie Preserve (1,200 acres) is held by The Nature Conservancy and managed by KBS since 2006. Rice Woodland was purchased and deeded to TNC, which later transferred title to KU Endowment. Roy and Eleanor Wall Woods was acquired by TNC in 1974 with restrictive deed to KU Endowment.
• KU EndowmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKU Endowment holds land for Native Medicinal Plant Garden, McColl Nature Reserve, Rice Woodland, and Wall Woods. Provides funding through private donations for KBS research, education programs, and field station operations.
• The Conservation FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire 202 acres for Baldwin Woods Forest Preserve expansion in 2015 using mitigation funds from Enbridge Pipelines and TransCanada Keystone Pipeline.
• Douglas County Heritage Conservation CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided funding through grants for Douglas County conservation projects and Forest Preserve expansion in 2015.
• Kansas Land TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided technical support for Forest Preserve expansion and holds conservation easement on Akin Prairie.
• National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKU Field Station is part of NEON, with regular visits by research technicians to monitor species and atmospheric conditions as part of this continental-scale ecological observation program.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides regulatory authority for federally listed species; KBS Heritage Program receives project review referrals through USFWS IPaC tool.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: Long-term ecological research watershed in New Hampshire operated through USDA Forest Service partnership. Comparable to KBS in operating long-term monitoring programs, watershed research, and federal grant-funded ecosystem science.
• Archbold Biological Station: Independent research station in Florida managing large land reserves, biodiversity inventories, and long-term ecological research. Comparable to KBS in combining field station management, biodiversity data, and applied conservation research.
• Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: Independent ecological research institute in New York running long-term ecological research, biodiversity monitoring, and watershed studies. Directly comparable to KBS in mission (ecosystem science, public service mandate) and research portfolio structure.
• Konza Prairie Biological Station: Kansas State University-operated Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site with extensive prairie research, watershed studies, and similar state-university partnership structure. Directly comparable to KU Field Station in geography, governance model, and research focus.
• Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC): Smithsonian Institution research center in Maryland focused on biodiversity, aquatic ecology, and environmental monitoring. Directly comparable in running multi-decade ecological research, large-scale field stations, and federal grant-funded research portfolios.
• NatureServe: Network of 60+ independent natural heritage programs that KBS's Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory is a member of. Directly comparable in biodiversity data collection, rare species tracking, and standardized conservation datasets.
• University of Wisconsin Center for Limnology: University of Wisconsin freshwater research center conducting long-term lake and stream monitoring, harmful algal bloom research, and aquatic ecology — closely aligned with KBS's Lake Assessment Lab and Aquatic Assessment programs.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): Federal agency that funds KBS research and collaborates on water quality, biodiversity, and ecological assessment. Comparable as a larger-scale counterpart performing mission-aligned ecological science with federal funding.
• The Nature Conservancy (Kansas Chapter): Global conservation organization that partners with and transfers land to KBS (Anderson County Prairie Preserve, Baldwin Woods). Comparable as a broader conservation operator that outsources research and land management to academic partners.

Emerging players

• Stroud Water Research Center: Independent freshwater research institute in Pennsylvania focused on stream and watershed ecology. Comparable in running long-term water quality monitoring, applied research for state agencies, and education programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KUEcoResearch
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLjUgCuignd5Q0IFk3D9-CA
• Facebookfacebook.com/KUEcologicalResearch
• Instagraminstagram.com/kufieldstation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kansas-biological-survey

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kansas Biological Survey