Dear friends,
As we come to the end of 2025, I want to thank you for being such a great partner for Bridging The Gap. To say this year has been challenging for many non-profits, us included, is an understatement. And yet, I would argue that we’ve come out stronger and with so much to look forward to in 2026. That’s because of you.
Challenges can be frightening, but they can also make your successes that much sweeter.
This year Kansas City reached – and exceeded – its multiyear goal to plant 10,000 new trees, and our Heartland Tree Alliance program facilitated 63% of the 11,073 trees planted. We planted and gave away over 2,000 trees just this spring alone!
By Scott Wagner. Scott is BTG’s Executive Director.
Above: Our Heartland Tree Alliance planted 150 trees in a single day this past spring with the help of volunteers from Burns & McDonnell.
KC Wildlands now stewards more than 1,000 acres of highly biodiverse habitat. The program became an integral part of efforts to restore areas along the Blue River – our metro’s largest watershed – alongside our partners and with American Rescue Plan Act funding from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources awarded to the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
Our efforts to make living in this region more affordable through our Water and Energy Savers program increased 35% over our last fiscal year – to more than 690 households.
As we move into 2026, we will build on our recycling roots and firmly enter the circular economy with the addition of mattress recycling to our suite of services. We will begin to grow native plants from seeds we collect on our 17 wildlands sites so that we can be even more impactful in our work to restore these urban prairies, woodlands, and glades – natural spaces for all to enjoy and which are so critical to supporting native pollinators and reducing the effects of climate change through their carbon-capturing superpowers.
And I’m just scratching the surface as to what 2026 will bring.
And I’m just scratching the surface as to what 2026 will bring.
All of this is being done with a team of 35 staff members and over 1,400 volunteers…and you. Your donations make all this possible. We are thankful for what you have done for us this year, and I’d like to invite you now to help us make 2026 BTG’s biggest year yet.
Please consider an end-of-year donation of $10, $50, or even $500. Whatever amount you can give will make a difference and help us prepare for next year. Your donation will help us plant more trees, remove more invasive plants, help individuals and families lower their water and electric bills and live more comfortably, divert more from our local landfill, and much more.
Thank you again and Happy Holidays!
Scott Wagner
Executive Director
Bridging The Gap
