On Saturday, March 12 the Water Quality Green Guard Stewardship Training Workshops will begin. With funding from KC Water, HCA is partnering with local water quality experts, MO Stream Teams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Parkville Nature Sanctuary. The workshops will take place at the Trailside Center and focus on water health and strengthen HCA’s Stream Team #5145. Stewards will learn about Kansas City’s water systems and stormwater management, water testing and biodiversity, native and invasive species, and have the opportunity to explore the Blue River.
On April 29 - May 2, HCA, The KC Zoo and the City of Kansas City are organizing the Greater Kansas City Metro Area for the City Nature Challenge. The City Nature Challenge is a global effort that uses iNaturalist to log your observations of wild organisms and collect important data for scientific research, while competing against other cities to get the most observations. Residents can join the Kansas City team on the KC Metro City Nature Challenge page and will help us document the incredible biodiversity in the Greater Kansas City Area.
To learn more about the City Nature Challenge and to find local events happening around Kansas City, visit the landing page on HCA’s website.
As part of the global City Nature Challenge effort, on April 30, HCA will host the Heartland Nature Celebration. The event will be 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Heartland Overlook Preserve. It is open to the public and will include environmental education opportunities and guided flora and fauna identification hikes. Every discovery made on the hikes will contribute to the greater Kansas City Metro Areas' City Nature Challenge effort.
To learn more and register for the event, visit the Heartland Nature Celebration webpage.
The Outdoor Education Work Group has begun the initial planning for the Exploring Roots Summer Adventure Challenge. The Summer Adventure Challenge spotlights Kansas City’s beautiful natural spaces and hiking trails by encouraging everyone to get outside. Participants will follow a new guided hike each month in the summer and explore prairies, glades and forests, even earning prizes along the way.
To learn about 2021’s Summer Adventure Challenge, visit the Exploring Roots webpage.
The next Education & Outreach Work Group is scheduled for 5/12/22, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. The Work Group meets virtually. If you would like to join the Work Group contact Sarah Benal, sarah@heartlandconservationalliance.org.
The next Outdoor Education Work Group is scheduled for 5/12/22, 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. The Work Group meets virtually. If you would like to join the Work Group contact Sarah Benal, sarah@heartlandconservationalliance.org.