On April 30, 2018, the City of Kansas City, Missouri’s auditor released a report assessing the Parks Department’s environmental sustainability of its natural resource management. While the auditor recognized that the Department has some sustainable practices in place, including rain gardens and protected natural remnants, the office recommended several areas of improvement.
In July, the Kansas City, Missouri Parks Department contracted with the Kansas City Native Plant Initiative (KNCPI) to provide recommendations to improve Parks’ environmental sustainability and natural resources management. KCNPI is a collective impact organization of nearly 70 partners. Through work groups and benchmarking, KCNPI identified recommendations and strategies to encourage support for native landscapes and a new landscaping aesthetic.
The Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department’s sustainability plan enhances the ecosystem services of its natural areas and reduces the department’s negative ecological impact. The sustainability plan creates a more regenerative environment by renewing, revitalizing and restoring ecosystems where people and nature thrive together.