Who We Are
Where GG started, and where we're going.
Grassland Groupies was founded by environmental educators motivated to do meaningful work in their community and beyond. We’ve reached hundreds of thousands of people and directly impacted our local community. That impact is always growing.
Our Story
Nicole Brown and Rachel Roth have spent their careers working to create bonds between people and the grasslands they call home. In the course of their work as educators, they noticed a concerning trend of people “aging out” of connecting to nature.
Grasslands are human habitat, supporting hundreds of millions of people globally, and teens and adults make conservation decisions affecting them on a daily basis. It’s clear that the need for meaningful connections to our local grasslands couldn’t come at a more pressing time. Grasslands needed a dedicated PR team.
In 2021, Nicole and Rachel channeled their creativity and passion for environmental education into Grassland Groupies, to inspire conservation of grassland ecosystems and the people that depend on them. We employ a unique approach blending science, nature and art to create curiosity, foster environmental literacy, and build community around these overlooked and underappreciated ecosystems.
In the years since our founding, Grassland Groupies reached tens of thousands through science and nature programming and delivered our message to audiences at home and around the world. We educated the next generation of conservation professionals. We built new partnerships, launched ambitious projects, and grew our involvement in the community.
We are telling the story of our world’s grasslands, and we invite you to help us spread the word!
Our Mission
Inspiring the conservation of grasslands.
Empower Conservation
through civic engagement, community building, and science literacy
Inspire Conservation
with curiosity-driven experiences, learning, and discovery
Engage in Conservation
through restoration and growing bonds between people and their grasslands
Our Team
Nicole Brown
Co-Founder, Director, Bee City Wichita Chair
Biology graduate from Wichita State University who went from muddy field technician to teacher of nature (and making others get muddy). Loves: long walks through the prairie, native gardening, and all things creepy-crawly.
Rachel Roth
Co-Founder, Director
Naturalist, artist, and science communicator who studied wildlife management and conservation at K-State University with nearly 15 years of experience in the field. Loves: hugging landscapes, grasses, birds, and smammals.
Allan Saylor
Lead Educator
A graduate of Oregon State University and experienced naturalist, interpreter, and writer who has worked in conservation from coast-to-coast. Loves: being outdoors in all weather, natural weirdness, and misunderstood critters.
Grassland Groupies: a timeline
previous partners and collaborators
news and updates
KACEE Announces the 2025 Excellence in Conservation & Environmental Education Awardees
March 14, 2025, Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education
You can pet bees, tag monarchs at free ICT Bee Fest this weekend.
September 20, 2024, by The Wichita Eagle
Grassland Groupies nurture a love for nature conservation
May 2, 2024, by Alexis Padilola, KSNW
Wichita’s blooming efforts to keep pollinators safe
July 14, 2023, Tadeo Ruiz, KMUW Wichita
Kansas, Missouri nonprofits compete for $10K Evergy grants
Mar 14, 2023, by Heidi Schmidt, Fox 4.
Audio Astra: ‘Grassland Groupies,’ Wichita homesteaders, summer school blues
June 25, 2021, by Eric Thomas, Kansas Reflector
Here for You Spotlight: KSN
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice are core to the mission of our organization and critical to our ongoing work in environmental education. The shared experience of nature deeply enriches our communities, and Grassland Groupies, Inc. believes that all people deserve equal access to science education, outdoor experiences, and conservation opportunities regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual identity, socio-economic status, age, ability, or religion.
We recognize that the work of conservation has historically neglected the input of marginalized and underrepresented voices, and the work that we do will benefit immeasurably by creating a space where everyone is heard.
Grassland Groupies is committed to:
- Partnering with diverse communities to deliver education that engages multiple perspectives, embraces difficult conversations, and confronts biases.
- Interrupting the status quo and challenging the dominant culture that perpetuates injustice and inequality.
- Aligning our organizational policies and programs to advance equity and break down barriers for the enrichment of present and future generations.
- Transparency in our work and decision making.
Nonprofit Transparency
At Grassland Groupies we’re dedicated to transparency. Our details are available on Guidestar.
Give with confidence.
Our 2024 Platinum Transparency Seal from Candid shows our commitment to sharing openly about our leadership and finances, so that you can see exactly how far your support goes. In 2025 we will continue to achieve the highest level of transparency, exceeding industry standards and building further confidence in our small organization.
Support our work today.
Make a donation.
Grassland Groupies, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. No goods or services will be provided in exchange for this contribution. EIN: 86-2282759