Today’s a reminder of our commitment to taking action for our environment. We can’t heal the climate without healing our rivers.

The Blue River needs our help. Join us in protecting and restoring this vital waterway—and take local action that makes a global impact.

BRRC: tinyurl.com/hcabrrc

At the same time, the BRRC shows declines in the Local Ordinance, Parks, and Stream Visual Assessment indicators, along with the fact that 58% of indicators scored a D or lower, highlight the urgent need for stronger, sustained conservation efforts.

Our recently completed assessment of the Blue River Watershed in the BRRC received a “C” letter grade overall.

Although the overall grade remains unchanged from the last assessment in 2021, there are signs of progress in the Riparian Cover, Protected Open Space, and Macroinvertebrates indicators.

Each participant is allotted ten (10) votes to distribute across categories of interest, which are now live in the Phase 3 Speakeasy Survey.

Link to the Resolution: kansascity.legistar.com/LegislationD...

Link to the Speakeasy Survey: speakeasy.kcmo.gov/en/projects/...

We were selected to provide input on this initiative through the lens of conservation. Now, you have the opportunity to participate by voting on a newly proposed category: Expand Zoning for Conservation.

When & Where:

Vacant Land Activation Open House
Thursday, Sept. 25th
Gregg Klice Community Center
1600 E 17th Ter. KCMO 64108

The marketing collateral is to be a range of public-facing materials that informs and engages consumers (including the general public, potential donors, and elected officials in the #KansasCity metro area) about the benefits of implementing the Blue River Greenway.

Learn more: tinyurl.com/rfpbrgv

Together, we can #RenewtheBlue —the metro’s most populated watershed—to advance a healthier, more climate-resilient future for the entire Kansas City region.

Check out joinrenewtheblue.org/arpa-project or our storymap at arcg.is/1mTeOf0 for more information on this project.

Community Engagement:

We’re growing community ownership through education and outreach —empowering those closest to the problem to lead the solution.

Partnership:

We’re bringing together public, private, and nonprofit partners to advance climate resilience, improve water quality, and restore natural systems across the Blue River corridor.

Policy and Practice:

We’re increasing the scale of Kansas City regional restoration through skill-building and planning.

Native Plant Solutions:

We’re encouraging more native garden development in urban spaces to create functional landscapes.

Community Canopy:

We’re hiding a forest in plain site by planting trees where they are needed most.

Riparian Restoration:

We're restoring natural systems along the Blue River Greenway to protect both neighborhoods and riparian ecosystems — because everyone deserves access to clean, safe, and healthy natural spaces and waterways.

Through a combination of expert and community-led riparian and wetland restoration, native landscaping, and the advancement of modern stormwater policies, the project improves water quality, reduces flood risk, and strengthens local capacity for green infrastructure planning and implementation.

This collaborative initiative aims to restore up to 250 acres of riparian habitat, enhance green infrastructure along key segments of the Blue River, and expand the urban tree canopy in surrounding neighborhoods—ultimately building a healthier, more resilient watershed for Kansas City.

In partnership with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, @btgkc.bsky.social, Deep Roots, and Mid-America Regional Council, this initiative will advance community-driven, nature-focused solutions to restore and strengthen Kansas City’s Blue River.