Greenability

If you’ve been thinking about starting your own compost pile, it’s not too late. Take advantage of a warm winter day.

Composting in the winter isn’t that much different than any other time of year, and it can help get you garden-ready for spring – especially if you still have leaves on the ground.

How to start a winter backyard compost - Greenability By Karen Ramsey If you’ve been thinking about starting your own compost pile, it’s not too late. Take advantage of a warm winter day. Composting in the

January is one of the best times of year to spot bald eagles.

The 22nd Annual Eagle Days is a free, family-friendly event at Wyandotte County Lake and the Mrs. & Mrs. FL Schlagle Library featuring live birds of prey, including a bald eagle, crafts for kids, birdwatching on the lake, binocular checkout, activity stations on the trail, and more.

The Eagle Days events will be held from 9 AM – 5 PM on Saturday, January 20, and from 12 PM – 4 PM on Sunday, January 21.

This year's event will feature special guest, Diné (Navajo) Spirit Dancer Dennis Rogers performing a few different Diné dances on Saturday from 12:30 to 1:00 PM at the Mr. & Mrs. F. L. Schlagle Library.

Wyandotte County Lake attracts eagles in the winter. With 1,500 acres of wooded area and the 400-acre lake, there are a lot of opportunities for birdwatching.

Event Info: https://bit.ly/4b2iPeI

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Heartland Conservation Alliance is hosting a virtual gathering at 12 pm to honor Dr. King. Local leaders will share insights on environmental justice.

Due to inclement weather, we have canceled the MLK Jr. Nature Walk. Our speakers are moving to a virtual platform this year. Please sign up below to be sent the Google invitation to the virtual event.

🗓️ Date: Monday, January 15, 2024
🕘 Time: 12PM-1PM
📌 Virtual Meeting Point: Google Meet
Link to sign up: https://ow.ly/qFGp50QqK3s

Want to hear about more celebrations and service events to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Please click here: https://ow.ly/7LNG50QqK3q

We are excited to share the new Greenability website, newsletter, and rebranding to kick off the new year with a new look: https://greenabilitymagazine.com/greenability-launches-new-website-branding/

It's the first weekend of 2024! What are your plans?

🥬Stock up on healthy, local foods at the
🧣Check out the first Jumble Swap hosted by
♻️ Clean up your holiday decor and recycle your trees, broken lights, etc.
❄️ Try the Scandanavian tradition of making ice lights at a free workshop at the Discovery Center

Details: greenabilitymagazine.com

It’s the perfect time to recycle holiday lights, trees, greenery, and even batteries and glass.

These items are not accepted in curbside recycling bins. Look for these easy recycling solutions near you.

How to recycle after the holidays - Greenability The holidays have ended, and if you haven't done so already, the decorations will come down soon. It’s the perfect time to recycle holiday lights, trees,

If your Halloween pumpkins are rotting on the porch, here are some zero-waste options and composting events to give them a second life and keep them out of the landfill.

There are several locations across the metro to drop-off pumpkins this weekend and throughout November.

Don't trash them: Where can you compost your pumpkins? - Greenability Magazine If your Halloween pumpkins are rotting on the porch, here are some zero-waste options and composting events to give them a second life and keep them out of the landfill. Pumpkins make up a large part seasonal food waste between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Most of the 1.3-billion pounds of pumpkins p...

Julie Copley, a conservationist for Powell Gardens, shares with Greenability how the organization is preserving and restoring the tallgrass prairie.

"As a resident or visitor to the greater Kansas City region, we all share a connection to the tallgrass prairie ecosystem," Copley said.

"Presently, Powell Gardens is working to uphold and preserve this core component of the regional landscape for generations to come."

Read the full story:

How Powell Gardens is preserving the tallgrass prairie - Greenability Magazine Conserving the Midwest Spirit of Place By Julie Copley, Conservationist at Powell Gardens As a resident or visitor to the greater Kansas City region, we all share a connection to the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Tallgrass prairie historically comprised much of the local landscape and, as a core comp...

Cycling celebrity Marley Blonsky is hosting a film screening and live podcast taping to support BikeWalkKC on October 18 at Screenland Armour in North Kansas City.

As a champion for inclusive bicycling communities, Blonsky is an ideal star for an event promoting bicycling education programs. Blonsky is a self-described fat adventure cyclist, co-founder of the All Bodies on Bikes non-profit, co-host of the All Bodies on Bikes podcast, influencer and curve model.

She believes that all bodies belong on a bicycle – regardless of age, gender, size, race, or ability, and has been featured in The Washington Post, Conde Nast Traveler, CNN, Good Morning America, and Bicycling Magazine.

“The goal of BikeWalkKC’s adult education programs is to encourage, support, and educate anyone who wants to ride, or who is curious about riding a bike, whether it’s for fun, fitness, or as a greener way to get around town,” said Amy Scrivner, Development and Communications Director at BikeWalkKC.

“We want to build a welcoming and inclusive cycling community, and we need funding to support those efforts. A big thank you to Marley for promoting and supporting this work!”

Marley Blonsky wants all bodies on bikes in support of BikeWalkKC - Greenability Magazine Cycling celebrity Marley Blonsky is hosting a film screening and live podcast taping on October 18, in support of BikeWalkKC’s adult bicycle education programs. The fundraising event, titled Marley Blonsky Wants All Bodies on Bikes, will be held at Screenland Armour in North Kansas City. As a cham...

Recycle your old computers, shoes, garden tools, beds, furniture, clothes, bikes, dog kennels, building materials, toys, and more this Saturday at the free Overland Park Recycling Extravaganza.

The recycling collection is open to everyone, including non-residents, and will accept many items that are more difficult to recycle. The event also works with community partners to donate reusable items.

It will be held from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Black & Veatch headquarters, 11401 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, KS.

Details:

Overland Park Recycling Extravaganza - Greenability Magazine Date: October 14, 2023Time: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm Details: Recycle your old computers, shoes, garden tools, beds, furniture, clothes, bikes, dog kennels, building materials, toys and more at the Overland Park Recycling Extravaganza on Saturday, October 14. The recycling collection is open to everyone, i...

Every fall and spring, billions of birds migrate south for winters and north for summers.

It’s estimated that 600 million birds die from building collisions every year in the U.S., especially during migration.

A Cornell Lab of Ornithology report ranks Kansas City the 8th most dangerous city for birds’ fall migrations, and 7th for spring migrations.

🐦Why do birds hit glass? In daylight, birds collide into windows confused by reflections in the glass. During nightly migrations, bright lights can disorient birds.

🐦Locally, Johnson County Community College has seen great success in reducing bird collisions on its campus. Since it started its Bird Collision Study in 2018, it has seen a 50% reduction in bird collisions. The biggest solution they enacted was to treat the windows with the highest collisions with a dot pattern to break up the reflection.

🐦 What can you do to help? It’s estimated that 44% of deadly collisions occur at residences. If you've witnessed a bird collision at home or work, look for low-cost window treatments and decals that help birds.

Also, turn off exterior lights at night during migration seasons as part of the Audubon's Lights Out program.

Read the full story on our website.

KC ranks in top 10 most dangerous cities for migrating birds - Greenability Magazine Every fall and spring, billions of birds travel along migration paths navigating near lakes, rivers, and coastlines looking for food and resources for their long journeys south for winters and north for summers. It’s estimated that 600 million birds die from building collisions every year in the U...

KC Farm School's Farm Fest is returning this Saturday at Common Ground! Hundreds are expected to come out for the free, family-friendly block party that features an impressive lineup of local music, vendors, makers, and growers.

Activities will include free food, farm tours, bounce houses, giant jenga, face painting, a cardboard village, chalk art, pumpkins, photo opportunities, and more.

It will be held at KC Farm School at Gibbs Road Common Ground, which is 11 acres of undeveloped land next to Gibbs Road Farm in Kansas City, KS. The organization acquired the land in 2021 and has created a master plan to transform the land to expand their mission.

In their own words, Common Ground is: "a gathering and growing space with wild and shared places, and room for orchards, animals, composting, and more. We imagine Common Ground as a safe space for critical conversations that seed action. We believe in the power of this community to join in to create a tomorrow better than today, right here, right now."

Farm Fest will be held Saturday, October 7 from 2 – 6 p.m. at KC Farm School Common Ground, 2443 S. 42nd St., Kansas City, KS.

Farm Fest at Common Ground - Greenability Magazine Date: October 7, 2023Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Details: Farm Fest at Common Ground is a free, family-friendly block party held on-farm at KC Farm School’s 14-acre urban farm. The community celebration and block party features an impressive lineup of local music, vendors, makers, resources, and growe...

Calling all volunteers! You can make a difference this fall and learn about sustainable initiatives in the community. Volunteers are needed to help recycle, plant trees, and cleanup neighborhoods.

Here are five volunteer opportunities to consider this fall:

1. Overland Park Recycling Extravaganza | October 14
2. Bridging The Gap Tree plantings, Litter Cleanups, & More | All Month Long
3. Deep Roots KC Work and Learn Gardening Day | October 11
4. Cultivate KC Westport Commons Farm | October 21
5. Kanbe's Markets Produce Sorting | On-Going Opportunities

Do good: Volunteers needed this fall - Greenability Magazine You can make a difference this fall and learn about sustainable initiatives in the community. Volunteers are needed to help recycle, plant trees, and cleanup neighborhoods. Volunteering is a powerful way to make a difference, and can boost your mental health. Here are five volunteer opportunities to...

✨WEEKEND PLANS✨ It's a great weekend to be in KC. What are your weekend plans?

Check out the calendar: https://greenabilitymagazine.com

Kansas City’s Green Commute Challenge begins October 1! The popular, month-long challenge encourages commuters to swap car rides for sustainable alternatives.

⚡️This year's grand prize is an e-bike⚡️

The Green Commute Challenge is in its 15th year. It is hosted by WAY TO GO formerly known as RideShareKC, a program of the Mid-America Regional Council.

Take the Green Commute Challenge - Greenability Magazine Challenge yourself and your community to bike, walk, carpool, vanpool, scooter, or ride transit to work this fall for Kansas City’s Green Commute Challenge, October 1 – 31. The free, annual challenge encourages individuals and workplaces to find alternatives to driving for daily work commutes. T...

The Heartland Conservation Alliance is helping Kansas City connect with the Blue River watershed through recreation opportunities and its important conservation efforts.

On Saturday, September 30, the organization is hosting the first ever Blue River Discovery Days Festival.

The free festival will feature guided hikes as part of HCA’s Blue River Nature Guide program, and other activities to enjoy the natural beauty of the Blue River.

Blue River Discovery Days Festival - Greenability Magazine Date: September 30, 2023Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Details: The Blue River, over 40 miles long, touches the lives of communities in both Kansas and Missouri. Yet, many aren’t aware it exists or the impact it has on daily life. The Heartland Conservation Alliance (HCA) is helping Kansas City connect ...

There are NEW jobs on the Greenability Job Network including:

1. Campus Farm and Outreach Manager at Johnson County Community College
2. Program Manager with Deep Roots KC
3. Metro Farms and Food Systems Program Manager with Cultivate KC
4. Westport Farm Site Manager with Cultivate KC
5. Administrative Assistant with KC Farm School
6. Farmers Market Farm Educator with KC Farm School
7. Farm Educators with KC Farm School

Find these and more at: https://greenabilitymagazine.com/greenjobs/

This Saturday, you can connect with local experts on solar, electric vehicles, composting, organic food, energy efficiency, biking, electronic recycling, native plants, climate change, and more at the free Go Green 2023! fair.

The event features an impressive lineup of nearly 50 local business and organizations who are coming together to share inspiration, local resources, and ideas for living sustainably.

It will be held from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Powell Community Center, in Mission, KS.

Throughout the event, get expert advice, enjoy education sessions, a fashion show, and electronics recycling.

Go Green 2023! - Greenability Magazine Date: September 23, 2023Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Details: Connect with local experts on solar, electric vehicles, composting, organic food, energy efficiency, biking, electronic recycling, native plants, climate change, and more at the free Go Green 2023! fair. It will be held Saturday, September 23...

Did you know that each fall the Kansas City area has the chance to witness one of North America’s most incredible natural phenomena?

From August through November, millions of monarch butterflies migrate through the region on the way to Mexico.

Catch the monarch butterfly migration this fall - Greenability Magazine By Ginny Varraveto, contributed by Johnson County Extension Did you know that each fall the Kansas City area has the chance to witness one of North America’s most incredible natural phenomena? From August through November, millions of monarch butterflies migrate through the region on the way to Me...

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Greenability Weekly is a free 30-second newsletter delivered to your inbox every Wednesday with sustainable news, events, and inspiration for KC & beyond.

If you are among one of our thousands of subscribers, thank you!

Climate Action KC hosted the third regional Climate Summit alongside elected officials, corporate leaders, climate advocates, and community members on September 9th.

With 600 in attendance, the event highlighted the region’s Climate Action Plan and efforts needed to meet the goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

2023 Climate Summit: Paving the Way to Net Zero by 2050 - Greenability Magazine The 2023 Climate Summit gathered 600 participants to build momentum and celebrate progress for regional climate action On Saturday, September 9th, Climate Action KC (CAKC) hosted the third regional Climate Summit alongside elected officials, corporate leaders, climate advocates, and community member...

✨WEEKEND PLANS✨

1)Fall native plant sales start this Saturday: https://bit.ly/3EwX7Av

2)Find local goodies and fresh ingredients at farmers markets. Here's Greenability's guide to markets: https://bit.ly/3Lb2KYY

3)The sold-out Climate Summit is this Saturday with nearly 600 in attendance. Come say hi to Greenability at the expo! Details: https://bit.ly/44ECEEB

4)Local eco-friendly shop Green Utopia is celebrating its second birthday in the Waldo neighborhood with a Green Fair: https://bit.ly/463PGwl

5)Admissions is free this weekend to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens for the grand opening of its visitor center: https://bit.ly/3qYWtsu

🌻Get FREE ADMISSION🌻 this weekend to the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens as it celebrates the grand opening of its new visitors center.

LongHouse Visitor Center Grand Opening at Overland Park Arboretum - Greenability Magazine Date: September 9, 2023Time: 10:00 am Details: The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens’ new visitor center is hosting its grand opening ceremony. Admission to the Arboretum is free all opening weekend, September 9-10, and the whole family is invited. The LongHouse Visitor Center Grand Open...

Fall native plant sales are here! Kick off your fall gardening with the first event this Saturday hosted by Deep Roots KC.

Find all upcoming events and resources to get started.

Refresh your garden at upcoming native plant sales - Greenability Magazine Start your fall gardening with perennial native plants that attract pollinators and can tolerate drought. Check out local native plant sales happening this month, and find a variety of wildflowers, sedges, grasses, trees and shrubs. Buying local from native plant nurseries can make a big difference....

There are new guidelines for curbside recycling in the Kansas City metro. Learn how to recycle at home, what items can go in your recycling bin, and what items should be trashed.

Plus, download the new Recycle Better flyer from RecycleSpot.org.

Curbside recycling: What you can and can't recycle in the metro - Greenability Magazine Learn how to recycle at home, what items can go in your recycling bin, and what items should be trashed. There are new guidelines for curbside recycling in the Kansas City metro. Recyclespot.org, a program of the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Solid Waste Management District, has updated the re...

Starting TODAY (Sept. 1), you can get native shrub & tree seedlings during the Missouri Department of Conservation's annual sale. The popular sale offers prices ranging from 34 cents to $1 per seedling. Many plants sell out quickly.

Reserve native trees & shrubs now for spring - Greenability Magazine Start planning now for spring planting by ordering native tree seedlings for as little as 34 cents each from Missouri Department of Conservation’s popular annual sale. The sale starts September 1st and many plants sell out quickly. Here’s how you can tap this resource. The MDC George O. White St...

Tap into the world of trees with local arborists and urban foresters at the Heartland Tree Alliance fall Tree Keepers series. Classes beginning Thursday, September 7.

Care for urban trees as a Tree Keeper - Greenability Magazine Tap into the world of trees and learn from arborists and urban foresters about their care. The Heartland Tree Alliance Tree Keepers will host a series of classes beginning Thursday, September 7. The goal of Tree Keepers is to provide a corps of trained volunteers as a resource for local municipaliti...

Need help navigating your transportation options in the Kansas City region? With Rideshare KC's the new WAY TO GO app and website, you can find greener ways to get around town, and be part of a community interested in a climate-friendly future.

Find sustainable transportation options with new app & website - Greenability Magazine Need help navigating your transportation options in the Kansas City region? With the new WAY TO GO app and website, you can find greener ways to get around town, and be part of a community interested in a climate-friendly future. The Mid-America Regional Council has updated and rebranded its well-es...