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

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

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

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

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

If it’s time to replace some household appliances, you can take advantage of the Missouri Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday Pay no sales taxes from April 19 – 25 on a qualifying Energy Star appliance during the Missouri Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday with savings up to $1,500 per appliance. Energy Star appliances that qualify include: Air conditioners Clothes dryers Clothes washers Dishwashers Freezers Furnaces Heat pumps Refrigerators Water heaters Qualifying items can be purchased in-store and online. In order to qualify, the appliance must have an Energy Star rating. Energy-effi ..read more

Kick off the growing season at the Eat Local & Organic Expo this Saturday. Shop the freshest spring goods from local farms, sign up for weekly farm shares, start your garden with locally-grown transplants, and more. The free, family-friendly event will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Johnson County Community College Gym, 12345 College Blvd. in Overland Park, KS. Hosted by KC Healthy Kids, it will feature over 25 KC Food Circle farmers who pledge to meet high standards for growing plants and mushrooms, beekeeping, and raising animals. Additional vendors include local farmers markets, the KC ..read more

It’s time to start digging in the garden. Here’s where you can find the largest variety of native plant flowers, vines, shrubs, grasses, and trees. For the Kansas City area, here are upcoming native plants sales this spring. In addition to these sales, you can also shop at local native plant nurseries. Burr Oak Woods Nature Center Native Plant Sale Saturday, March 30: 12:30 – 4 p.m. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center 1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO Missouri Wildflower Nursery and City Roots Nursery will be on site with native plants for sale while supplies last. For more information ..read more

By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss Are you sneezing more this spring season? Do the kids already have a poison ivy rash? Scientists are seeing signs of more allergy-causing pollen and faster spreading poison ivy as the climate continues to change. Pollen may be an unfortunate contributor to poor health in the first place, but there are signs that warming weather is making it worse for many, according to the National Academy of Sciences. Warm weather contributes to an uptick in pollen count, and air pollution can concentrate it, reports the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Cl ..read more

In the new documentary, “Hot Times in the Heartland,” explore regional stories on our warming planet and the solutions underway to strengthen climate resilience. This March and April, there will be free screenings and television broadcasts of the two-hour documentary. The documentary, produced by Prairie Hollow Productions, focuses on solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change and regional efforts in Kansas City and the greater Kaw Valley area of Kansas. Local individuals and organizations share their experiences in the film including Lindsey Constance, co-founder of Climate Action KC ..read more