Pioneer Bluffs Foundation is a new organization, finding its place in the world, learning about itself and the community it serves. The vision that follows is by no means set in stone. Rather, it is an accounting of the possibilities generated during the planning process.
This vision may shift with the imagination and energy of the volunteers who are drawn to Pioneer Bluffs. It will certainly be transformed more than once by the unfolding wisdom that the land and its history inspire.
With our values at the forefront, in 2018…
Pioneer Bluffs is an integral part of the local community, with a role in the Chase County economy. Visitors arrive daily from down the road, across the world, and points in between. People of all ages and diverse interests are welcomed and engaged by helpful volunteers and staff, offering convenience and safety, along with myriad choices about how to experience the place.
All of the historic building exteriors and structures, such as the stone fence, look and feel as they did in 1916. Construction has been accomplished in accordance with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Building interiors have been renovated for new uses to meet the mission or accommodate programs, and in accordance with the Foundation’s commitment to sustainability. New construction on the site is in keeping with the character of the Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Historic District.
The Crocker Creek flood plain and Oak Savannah are restored to native condition, increasing habitat for native plants and wildlife. A nature trail invites visitors to explore, learn from and enjoy the natural world.
An Education Center, constructed in the old Granary and named for the donor or donors who provided key support for the project, welcomes visitors from around the world. The Center is a nationally respected institution, deepening understanding of the natural and human history of the tallgrass prairie and its Flint Hills ranching heritage, and celebrating the spirit of the Native Americans and the settlers from around the globe who have made the Flint Hills their home. The Pioneer Bluffs Foundation shares its mission with the world via Internet and other technologies.
A sustainable and productive farm – modeled on the 1916 farm of Henry and Maud Rogler – provides healthy food for residents of Matfield Green and others within a 100-mile radius.
People live, play and work at Pioneer Bluffs. Simple, comfortable and accessible accommodations provide opportunities for long- and short-term stays. A technologically up-to-date Retreat Center and Bunkhouse draw groups of up to 25 people from Wichita, Kansas City and beyond. The Main Barn is renovated for use as an assembly space and welcome center. The Main House, restored to its 1916 condition, is available for weekly rental. A farm manager and family live upstairs in the Granary. Interns are accommodated at offsite housing in Matfield Green. A certified kitchen and small dining room provide delicious locally-raised food for visitors and staff.
A small store or gift shop features local crafts and food, including value-added products created in the Pioneer Bluffs certified kitchen.
The Foundation houses historical archives of stories, photos and other memorabilia relevant to the Rogler Family and their ranching heritage. It regularly shares its archives with researchers and the public.
Educational programs and activities promote ideas and demonstrate practices for achieving a healthy relationship between people and nature. The site is a nationally-recognized resource and model for landscape restoration, sustainable farming, and local food distribution. Visiting artists and scholars engage with the local community to highlight the mission and values of the Pioneer Bluffs Foundation.
Pioneer Bluffs is a well-used and enjoyed community center, open and friendly to many communities, with a full schedule of dinners, dances, music and celebrations. The Foundation hosts an annual Hog Roast and a series of Prairie Talks, and regularly participates in regional events such as the Prairie Fire Festival and the Symphony in the Flint Hills. The site is available as a gathering place to residents of Matfield Green and Chase County.
Pioneer Bluffs is a “Portal to the Prairie,” facilitating access to a rich selection of educational and recreational activities throughout the Flint Hills.
A 1.5 mile public walking/biking trail (developed on easements provided to the Foundation by private landowners) along the west side of Highway 177 offers dramatic prairie views and facilitates access between Matfield Green and Pioneer Bluffs.
Pioneer Bluffs collaborates with the Chase County School District and other Kansas schools, educating young people about the natural and human history of the tallgrass prairie and ranching in the Flint Hills. The program engenders deep pride in their heritage and intensifies their connection to the land.
Local volunteers play an integral role in all Pioneer Bluffs programs, acting as docents, hosting events, doing research, working in the garden, restoring the landscape, maintaining the grounds, serving on committees and filling leadership positions.
A dedicated and diverse board of directors reflects both the Foundation’s local focus and its global mission, governing with wisdom, enthusiasm and acumen.
A skilled, knowledgeable, competitively-compensated staff led by an experienced, well-connected executive director, manages programs and activities in accordance with the mission of the Foundation.
The Foundation generates a steady flow of earned income from program and admission fees; space rental and retreat accommodations; sales of meat and produce at Farmers Markets; a Community Support Agriculture program; and the Pioneer Bluffs gift shop.
A mix of individual gifts, corporate and foundation funding and government grants and contracts supports restoration and renovation of the historic structures and supplements program costs.
An endowment is in place, providing interest income and security for the future.