BOD Spotlight of the Month - Dick Seaton

How did you get started in AOK?

Ron Klataske wrote a letter asking for contributions to a new entity called Audubon of Kansas. I sent $100 and that prompted him to ask me to serve on the board. So I was in on the beginning from the first board meeting of the new entity. I also did the legal work to merge the Kanas Audubon Council into the new Audubon of Kansas.

What is your background? Have you always lived in Kansas?

Always in Kansas except for 4 years in college at Harvard , 1 year in the army and 3 years at Harvard Law School.

What is your most memorable AOK experience?

Watching the organization grow in size and maturity. We started with very little money  and one employee, Ron. He and subsequent officers and board members have really built a pretty robust organization, with an active board, many committees, and lots of loyal supporters.

What is your greatest conservation concern?

Preservation of the prairie, especially in the Flint Hills. Martha and I live adjacent to the Konza Prairie and are working with the Nature Conservancy to create a conservation easement for our property of 62 acres.

What gets you excited about nature?  What is your passion?

Almost anything outdoors: the sky, rain, clouds, birds, seashore, prairie fire. We feed lots of birds, and see plenty of white-tail deer, turkeys and an occasional prairie-chicken, as well as coyotes, bobcats and the usual racoons, possums, moles and pack rates.

What is your favorite spot in Kansas (or Nebraska)?

The Hutton Sanctuary in Nebraska, above the Niobrara River. The view from the hill above the river, looking across it to the hills and prairie on the other side is pretty wonderful.

How did you connect with nature growing up?

We lived in the country outside Coffeyville., with lots of opportunity to hike and ride horses. I also spent several years in Boy Scouts., camping, etc.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

My three children, Richard, Anna and Emily, and my marriage to Martha.