Heartland Conservation Alliance – What’s New on the Blue!

The Heartland Conservation Alliance works with partners to protect, connect, and restore the Blue River watershed and its urban green spaces for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

Request for Proposals Announcement: Blue River Greenway Vision Request for Proposals. HCA is seeking a consultant/s with marketing and communications expertise to refine messaging and create marketing collateral for the Blue River Greenway Vision.

BRiNG Launches Its Strategic Plan This October

The Blue River Nature Guide (BRiNG) Steering Committee has completed its work and finalized the BRiNG Strategic Plan! This plan, which will be unveiled at Blue River Discovery Days on October 11 and featured in our October newsletter, outlines BRiNG programming goals and strategies for the next 3 years, while also providing resources to help the public enjoy (while protecting) the Blue River.

With the Steering Committee’s mission complete, BRiNG will transition back to the Education & Outreach Work Group, meeting bi-monthly (odd months) virtually beginning late January 2026. The group’s mission is to promote environmental stewardship through accessible, inclusive education that connects people to the Blue River Watershed. Initial projects for the work group include:

• Supporting phased implementation of the BRiNG Strategic Plan
• Advising on community engagement and organizational capacity

If you’re interested in joining this work group and would like to be added to future meeting invites, please email our Education & Outreach Coordinator, Hannah.

Upcoming Events:

October 1 at 6pm: Show up to advocate for The Future of Blue River Road! Kansas City needs your feedback to determine the future of Blue River Road! The road was first built by Jackson County in 1929 and has experienced multiple structural failures over the years. Today, several portions of the road are closed due to safety and structural issues. The City has identified several potential options to restore Blue River Road in various capacities for the community’s consideration. More info here. October 7 at 12pm: Register for a fun, interactive Lunch and Learn Watershed Simulation Game at Johnson County Museum. Bring your own lunch and learn about how you can make a ripple! This event is part of Heartland Conservation Alliance’s Blue River Discovery Days and compliments the museum’s special exhibit, Ripples: Water, Community, and You.

October 18 at 9am: Check out the GO GREEN 2025 Environmental Fair at the Powell Community Center. This free, family-friendly event brings together nonprofits and businesses to share practical ways to live and work more sustainably. Come learn, connect, and have fun while exploring the many sustainable choices available to you! More info here Oct 22 from 8am to 12pm: Join the Johnson County Museum for its inaugural Legacies of Redlining Summit. This year’s theme, Water, Justice, and Community, explores how historical housing discrimination and modern policies impact flood-prone, historically redlined neighborhoods. Former HCA employee, Queen Wilkes, will provide the keynote while current HCA Board President Ian Fannin-Hughes and Conservation Project Manager Damon Patterson will serve on the panel, contributing to this important conversation about building equitable water futures. Registration required.