The first Saturday in June is National Trail Day AND National Prairie Day… two of our favorite things! Although KC Parks and KC WildLands had to cancel our June 6th Party on the Prairie at Jerry Smith Park, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate yourself or with family, and we’re supplying a few ideas and downloads to help you do it. And you can … Continued
By Ben Carpenter, HTA Program Associate My little brother is getting married in July. I know, poor timing. If only he had considered the possibility of a global pandemic upsetting his years-long engagement. However, the show must go on, albeit from a distance. This is a situation in which a thoughtful gift from … Continued
By Ami Freeberg, Volunteer Program Manager This week, May 3-9, 2020, we celebrate International Compost Awareness Week, a global initiative to educate and inspire people about composting. I grew up composting in a big pile at the back of our large backyard garden – piling food scraps and grass clippings together to break down and … Continued
The best time to plant a tree is now. The Arbor Day Foundation provides resources to individuals who are interested in doing so, including where to find free or low cost trees in your area and tips about how to plant your tree so it thrive. For those interested in fruit trees are another excellent … Continued
By John Fish, Litter Abatement Program Coordinator and Recycling Center Manager There’s no getting around the fact that our lives have been upended by this pandemic. We had forgotten just how much havoc something unseeable with the naked eye can cause. Although much of our ordinary life has been suspended by the need … Continued
Each of us generate waste through practically everything we do, at an average rate of 4.51 pounds per day, according to the EPA (2017). Through the three R’s, reduce, reuse, and recycle, that number can be greatly reduced. Today we challenge you to think of ways you can reduce and reuse BEFORE you … Continued
By James Joerke, Associate Executive Director With many of us spending more time at home these days, it’s the perfect time to take action to make your home more energy efficient. These simple steps will make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy bills. Install a programmable thermostat. Installing a programmable thermostat … Continued
Quarantine isolation leaves many people feeling trapped inside, not able to enjoy nature as regularly as one may desire. However, the benefits of walking outside every day are proven to help keep you healthy. Your mood will improve. You’ll feel more creative. You’ll lower your risk of lung cancer. Your skin will look … Continued
By Joe Wheelock, HTA Program Coordinator Feeling cooped up? Need to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine? Now is a great time to take some simple actions around your home to help protect and conserve bees! Everyone knows the European Honey Bee, but did you know there are about 4,000 species of … Continued
Volunteer with KC WildLands! Saturday, February 29, 1:00 – 4:00 PM Join our Kansas City WildLands team and layer up for our 17th Annual Long Johns & Loppers Ecological Restoration Workday! Volunteers will cut and treat invasive woody plants from several beautiful, natural communities in the region, helping native flowers and grasses flourish again in … Continued
Text and Photos by Tom Schroeder You have got to love Bee Poo Science. I recently had the opportunity to do a Citizen Science project as part of KC WildLands volunteer work. In 2016 and 2017, a Native Bee Survey was done on KC WildLand sites. It uncovered a population of the Snail Nesting Mason … Continued
We are SO PROUD to have made the Pitch’s Best of Kansas City 2019! KC Wildlands is preserving spaces we didn’t even know we had “Kansas City will never be known as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. We’re at peace with that. But don’t let that knowledge fool you into believing we don’t have … Continued
To Battle! Join in our Annual Honeysuckle Battle to help restore Kansas City’s beautiful wild lands. On Saturday, November 2, Kansas City WildLands will host two public work days–one at Ogg Road Prairie in Shawnee Mission Park and one at the Hidden Valley natural area located north of the river. We will be cutting and stump … Continued
By Kristin Riott Executive Director, Bridging The Gap If you, like me, have been worried about climate change for a long time, the publication of the book Drawdown is a deep draught of water during a long walk through the desert: you can go on with renewed hope and vigor. Drawdown, edited by leading … Continued
On January 17, 2019 Bridging The Gap honored our volunteers with a volunteer appreciation luncheon held at the Kauffman Conference Center. This event was a rare and unique opportunity to gather BTG volunteers across all programs into one room, thanks to a volunteer appreciation grant from Cargill Cares! The lunch was sold-out, with more than … Continued
Kansas City Wildlands Annual Honeysuckle Battle Saturday, November 3, 9:00 AM – Noon Two Locations to Choose From We have an urgent volunteer need for folks to come out and help us battle the invasive, exotic shrub honeysuckle taking over our wildlands! Select a location and sign up today! Enjoy this terrific fall weather … Continued
Volunteer Saturday, September 29, 9:00 AM – Noon! In celebration of National Public Lands Day, volunteer with our Kansas City WildLands program as we’ll be removing invasive woody plants, including exotic shrub honeysuckle, while enjoying the amazing fall beauty of these wild places. Volunteers will use loppers to remove the shrub, and stump-treat the … Continued
by Patti Beedles, Kansas City WildLands Seed Tech Listen my friends, I have a plea. Pull yourselves from your cubicles, your screens, your stuffy house that’s held you hostage all winter long. Now’s the time to take a hike through a high-quality woodland and witness true magic. I realize, I’m a crazy plant lady with … Continued
