IMG_1525.JPG

The Nature Action Crew

About 

In 2021 HCA received a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation to establish a "Green Career Corps in Kansas City" pilot program. The Green Career Corps sought to fill a need for trained landscapers that can work with native plants in the Kansas City Metro Area, provide diverse opportunities for careers in conservation for underrepresented Kansas City residents, work on mutually-beneficial habitat projects in the Blue River Watershed and enhance the connection of underrepresented populations in nature. 

In 2022 HCA received the U.S. EPA Environmental Workforce and Job Training Brownfields grant. We received this grant in partnership with Cornerstones of Care and solidified the Conservation and Landscaping apprentice program with their Build Trybe cohorts. This grant funds the Build Trybe 10-week training program, which provides clean up training to at-risk youth in foster care, ages 18-24, with a goal of placing students in environmental careers in the Kansas City areas impacted by brownfields. Each training cohort consists of 36 classroom training sessions and 12 hands-on learning in the field for a total of 180 hours of intermediate training, including 54 students receiving OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 40-hour HAZWOPER training. Graduates from Build Trybe have the opportunity to join HCA's Nature Action Crew.

Cornerstones of Care and Build Trybe

Cornerstones of Care has cared for foster children for more than 20 years in the community. They stand for the lasting and positive impact of the safety and health for tens of thousands of children and families in communities across the region.

Cornerstones of Care partners with children, young adults and families to improve safety and health through six key service areas:

  • Education

  • Mental & Behavioral Health

  • Foster Care & Adoption

  • Youth Support

  • Family Support

  • Community Trainings


Build Trybe is a proud program of Cornerstones of Care. They are a mentorship community that builds health and independence by empowering youth with employable skills, and are a bridge connecting youth to opportunity. Build Trybe's team of trade experts and community partners introduce and connect youth to three skill-based career paths: Culinary, Construction, and Horticulture/Landscape

image_6487327_edited.jpg

The Nature Action Crew and Build Trybe learn valuable skills and have the opportunity to work with experts thanks to the funding and partnerships of:

Habitat Architects

Health Forward Foundation 

Kansas City Parks and Rec

Missouri Department of Conservation

MO Hives KC

National Fish & Wildlife Foundation - Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration

Native Lands LLC

U.S. EPA

Schumaker Social Justice 

IMG_0758_edited.jpg