Heartland Tree Alliance, a program of Bridging The Gap, relies heavily on the support of the community and neighborhoods we work alongside. Every strong neighborhood has people who put their hearts into making it better. We call these individuals champions.
This past fall, Heartland Tree Alliance planted 500 trees alone in a single district of Kansas City. Much of this was made possible through partnership and local advocacy. One stand-out champion made it possible to plant over 50 trees in the South Round Top Neighborhood. This individual is Beverly Green.
Beverly Green consistently advocates for her community to be greener, safer, and healthier. She has lived in this neighborhood for most of her life and currently serves as the president. Her commitment to her community goes beyond trees; she also envisioned a community garden on a vacant lot and worked to make that space a reality for residents.
Beverly Green (pictured on the right) is a neighborhood leader and advocate for trees. She has been instrumental in Heartland Tree Alliance’s ability to plant more than 50 trees in the South Round Top Neighborhood.
Our team met Beverly through a partnership with UMKC’s Center for Neighborhoods, and her leadership has been instrumental to our success in the area. After sharing that many blocks in South Round Top lacked tree canopy, Beverly took action. She walked door to door with our team to talk with neighbors about the benefits of trees. She even called residents directly, encouraging them to come outside to learn more or to sign up for a tree.
“I am so grateful for the partnership with Heartland Tree Alliance. Our neighborhood has a beautiful new look and feels even more like a community. Thank you to Heartland Tree Alliance and all the volunteers who make it possible!” – Beverly Green
Beverly has attended countless plantings in her neighborhood and surrounding areas, showing up again and again for her community. South Round Top is stronger because of her dedication, and Heartland Tree Alliance is grateful to partner with leaders like Beverly who make lasting impact possible.
Beverly is on the Council of Neighborhood Leaders and a Neighborhood Environmental Conservation Steward with the Center for Neighborhoods, a member of Kansas City Black Urban Growers, and the Beautification Committee Chair for the South Round Top Neighborhood Association. The committee’s goal is to revitalize vacant lots throughout the neighborhood and transform them into safe, green, and vibrant community spaces.
