ARPA + Blue River Restoration

Over the last year, Bridging The Gap has been a partner for the Renew the Blue project, an ARPA funded restoration project involving several local organizations. This collaborative initiative aimed to restore up to 240 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 this episode, we chat about Bridging The Gap’s part of the project!

Over the last month, our HTA team have been bringing you interviews from community partners and experts about the urban heat island and it's effects on public health and environmental justice. In this episode of Bridging The Chat, we've compiled these interviews and added additional context and information from our HTA staff.

On this episode we talk to 4 long-time Bridging The Gap volunteers to discuss what a BTG workday looks like, the importance of the work being done and of volunteerism on our local communities. Sign up for a volunteer opportunity with us by visiting bridgingthegap.org/volunteerDisclaimer: There were some sound/recording issues in this episode, we apologize!

On this episode of Bridging The Chat, we will hear from Jacobo, our resident birder, and he explains what you might see around the metro, and how you can get into birding. After that, we go on a hike with Sherry Leonardo, who has been volunteering to do regular bird surveys at Jerry Smith Prairie and has a vast knowledge of birding in the region.

In this episode Kansas City WildLands and a small group of environmentalists and nature lovers hiked Rocky Point Glades in Swope Park, KCMO, with author of Braiding Sweetgrass and The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmerer. We talk about plant species within the glade, the work it took to get it to where it is today and we talk with Robin about the important work she is doing with her Plant, Baby Plant initiative!

On this episode of BTC, our graduating Tree Corps cohort sits down with our incoming team to talk about what they've learned and what they're excited about. If you are interested in tree care, Tree Corps might be a great fit for you! Have a listen and find out.

On this episode of Bridging The Chat, Olivia, Emily, and Thomas from our Heartland Tree Alliance program talk with Hunter about urban trees, root systems, and more!

On this episode of Bridging The Chat, Hunter, Sarah, and Jacobo from KC WildLands talk Spring Ecology! Learn about the fascinating ways plant and animal life survive the winter and what you might start seeing in nature as Spring arrives.

A quick beginning-of-the-year check in with the BTG staff to talk about what is keeping them hopeful.

In this episode, Hunter talks with current and former KC Tree Corps participants. KC Tree Corps is a pre-apprenticeship certification program training participants to attain the skills necessary for an entry-level position in arboriculture or a related field, offered by Bridging The Gap.