Join the Kansas City composting community for Compost Fest, a celebration of healthy soils and reducing food waste headed to the landfill. Hosted by Missouri Organic Recycling at KC Farm School, the family-friendly event will feature composting demonstrations, live music, local composting resources, KC Farm School’s plant sale, and Goats on the Go. It will be held Saturday, May 11 from 9 am to 2 pm at KC Farm School, 2443 S. 42nd St., Kansas City, MO. Events include: Missouri Organic Recycling will have a live demonstration of a compost pile with leaves, wood chips, hay, food waste, and beer ..read more

Visit 15 markets across the metro and earn local prizes The new Kansas City Farmers Market Passport is a free, interactive guide that connects shoppers to fresh and healthy foods though an abundant network of urban agriculture.  Developed in partnership by Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council and CultivateKC, the passport offers fun for the whole family, while engaging in community and supporting the local food system. Earning the prizes is easy: Visit each farmers market or farm stand participating in the passport Get your passport stamped by the market manager Once you’ve collected a stamp fro ..read more

Mother’s Day is a reminder to pause and make a gesture she’ll appreciate. These local nature-inspired outings will make anyone feel inspired and special. 1. Powell Gardens Treat mom to a picnic at Powell Gardens’ Mother’s Day Picnic Lunch with charcuterie boxes built for two on Saturday, May 11 from 11 am to 1 pm. While you’re there, enjoy spring blooms and the Painted Garden exhibit. Powell Gardens is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Location: 1609 NW US Hwy 50, Kingsville, MO. 2. Miami County Farm Tour Escape to the country for free self-guided spring farm tours during the Miami ..read more

Get ready to pedal into Bike Month with these eight exciting ways to celebrate and support the biking community. Here are 8 ways to celebrate bike month: 1. Discover new bike trails Explore the diverse range of biking trails where you live, and make a list of new trails to bike this spring. Consider mountain biking in the Blue River Parkway Trails, strolling down the Trolley Track Trail, or visiting a nearby lake or stream trail. Find new trails with your recreation department, or with apps such as the AllTrails app. Also, check out the MARC Regional Trails & Bikeways map. For natural surf ..read more

Explore diverse local home gardens that are providing habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies with Deep Roots’ Habitat Garden Tours. During the growing season, the organization is hosting Second Saturday Tours each featuring three residential gardens that highlight native plants with blooms throughout the year. Find inspiration and ideas to start your own garden and meet with other native plant and wildlife enthusiasts. May Garden Tours On Saturday, May 11, the event will highlight “Crestwood Charm” featuring gardens in the Loose Park area in Kansas City that balance traditional and fancy wit ..read more

Farmers market season has started, and farmers are offering local vegetables, fruit, herbs, meat, eggs and flowers. Find a market near your home or work in Kansas City and beyond, and enjoy the bounty in your local community. In the Kansas City metro area, some farmers’ markets are already open, and others will open soon for the season. Check the website links below for opening dates, and to explore the farmers and specialties of each market. To locate farmers’ markets throughout the United States, go to the USDA Local Food Directory and search by city and state. * Organic ..read more

The Earthbeat Festival returns for its second year featuring a lively day festival and vendor market highlighting sustainability in Kansas City. The free event will be held this Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Kansas City at Lightwell, 1100 Main St., Kansas City, MO. It provides opportunities to connect and support local green business owners, learn from various sustainability experts, and deepen your relationship with the earth through pop up experiences throughout the day. It is hosted by Hera, a group that creates intentional gatherings to reimagine the ways we connect ..read more

By Molly M. Ginty and Courtney Lindwall, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Nonstick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, and waterproof clothing are all products that make our daily lives less messy, but that convenience comes at a cost. A class of manmade chemicals known as PFAS—which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—is part of what makes these consumer goods water-, stain-, and grease-resistant. PFAS are also toxic at extremely low levels (i.e. parts per quadrillion), posing significant risks to our health. And if you’re wondering why they’re called “forever c ..read more

Do you want to learn more about composting, climate action, make an impact volunteering, or take the kids on an adventure? We’ve found a variety of events for you and your family to celebrate in-person and some online in Kansas City and worldwide over the weeks surrounding Earth Day, April 22. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, when U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin inspired more than 20-million Americans (10 percent of the population at the time) to gather at “teach-ins,” rallies and protests to demand cleaner air and water. Those efforts launched the modern environmental movemen ..read more

Recycle your old computers, glasses, furniture, clothes, bikes, dog kennels, building materials, toys, and more this weekend. It’s the perfect time to do some spring cleaning, and donate items that could be reused by charities and local organizations before heading to the landfill. On Saturday, April 20, take advantage of a one-stop recycling and donation event at the 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. It will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Black & ..read more