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Share with us how we can enhance NATURAL SPACES & SYSTEMS

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Trees, plants, soils, waterways, and wildlife – all of these are part of the natural systems that cool our cities and keep us healthy, safe, and happy. Natural systems are complex and interconnected and must be addressed holistically and not just as a set of independent actions. Healthy ecosystems naturally reduce water and air pollution, lessen the effect of heat islands, sequester carbon, and contribute to human health and well-being. This Climate Action Section focuses on being responsible stewards of our environment so we can fully realize the benefits of functioning and healthy ecosystems.

Strategies to Improve Natural Systems

Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan

N-1: Expand the network of trees and natural areas

N-2: Promote regenerative, ecologically healthy soils and landscapes

N-3: Sustainable water supply and use

N-4: Use natural systems to manage stormwater runoff

To ask specific questions about the Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan, please contact the Office of Environmental Quality by phone at (816) 513-3452 or by Email to OEQ.

Phases

Phases overview

Phase 1: Collecting your comments about improving NATURAL SYSTEMS

Collecting your comments about improving NATURAL SYSTEMS

Phase 2: Summarize the Feedback Received

Summarize the Feedback Received

Collecting your comments about improving NATURAL SYSTEMS

August 2, 2024 5:00 AM - February 22, 2025 6:00 AM

Our natural systems will promote climate justice by reintegrating diverse, native ecosystems into all of our neighborhoods, especially in soil deficient, abandoned, and blighted areas, ridding unjust and unsustainable land practices, and by encouraging city-wide environmental stewardship to reduce flooding, increase water retention, reduce heat islands, repair the soil, improve air quality, and increase the overall wellbeing for our communities and our biome.

6 ideas

Sarah Fitzpatrick-Heinz2 years ago A glance at google maps shows how little business and many apartments (flat roofs) use rooftop space. I know it likely isn’t cheap and roofs have to be reinforced to put things and people up there but I think roof top gardens that are also useable spaces. I’ve also seen something recently about vertical gardens on outside walls. It helps cool the buildings and less air conditioning is needed. The Plaza, UMKC, downtown, schools etc…It’s only getting hotter. Yes we have lovely parks and BLVDS but we need to really integrate shade and green space throughout all the business districts so it is less concrete jungle. For example the Main St bridge crossing Brush Creek may as well be in southern Johnson county. Brush creek would look much nicer if they went with hanging vines and less of that garden bed look. Build wire arches and tunnels to grow vines (Maybe also way more pedestrian bridges and yes i’m including Brookside Blvd.) It’s unfortunate they diverted the actual brook to the sewer.In San diego they grow that beautiful vine over ugly cement walls on their freeways…it has red blooms. Not sure of the name but we have it in our back yard. we have tons of vines and ivy that grows well here. Also alley ways can be covered with wire to grow it. Little coffee shops can be put in those spots. We need way more shaded outdoor useable space in our commercial areas. It can be done in so many unique and fun ways but please encourage it. Let’s make the city a giant urban garden. Pedestrian walkways and sidewalks can be covered in areas so we can grow little nature tunnels. Light water misters would also be nice. I swear i heard Atlanta has them. And way more rain gardens esp on the strip of grass by the sidewalks. Homeowners need to consider dif material or not one giant piece of concrete for a driveway. If utility companies like water, electric and gas (and the city maybe )could provide rebates, charge less (or charge people more by the foot for massive slabs of concrete and asphalt (esp business) or help with the cost of plants and better greener ways to build drives and parking lots. (God if parking lots aren’t the ugliest things around. The little sad islands aren’t fooling anyone. There must be a better way. Dual usage??? I’ve seen some also used as community gardens with wood planters, but we need to think outside the box on those. Just think of what an eyesore Ward Parkway Mall is or the Costco and Home Depot? The buildings are hideous and the parking lots are as well. They are sweltering monstrosities in the summer. There must be better ways. Businesses get tax breaks too which sickens me but i digress…however considering that I think not being ugly and also a major source of runoff when it rains that pollutes our streams and rivers should be discussed with existing eyesores and new ones that want to come in. And that would include green roof tops and vertical planting on their walls. Another thing the water company needs too charge more for folks who have the drainage go straight down their drive to the storm drains. A lot of house flippers do that bc it costs less. Also more use of native plants which I do see more and more and it’s very pretty. Moss instead of all lawns and grass.and of course as i said vines to cover ugly parking garages and walls Way more trees. I could go on and on. That and use some of our blvds for community gardens. It’s just grass sitting there. And plant for all seasons.There are so many different ways and types of of gardens and landscapes. It dosent all have to be so prim and proper with flower beds and grass. I’m just thinking I guess hanging gardens, mediterranean styles.The plaza could use more of that and less boring flower beds. (They are pretty but mix it up. Let’s live in a garden city not always have specific spots and beds . A big hedge maze would also be cool to put somewhere and more ponds with moss. Maybe let citizens esp those of us living at home or renting which garden some of the grassy blvds just sitting around. I bet people would come up with some really great and unique gardens. Everytime they tear down some beautiful old building that was left to rot they tend to take out the trees and foliage and put up that southern Johnson county blah!! It’s awful. So yeh, Im on a tangent but we need to think outside the box on plants bc they help with heat and with water runoff. And we need to am for not just one or two styles of landscaping and gardening. Yes it is pretty but boring and rain gardens are a must. And more swings and play equipment for adults. Roanoke Park has a cool playground and a secret swing set that sit high so adult can play. Less exercise equipment in parks. Let adults have our own playgrounds. And cool seating that swings and you can lounge on. Just think of all the variety of gardening and landscaping that could be done. We fine one or two things we like and then everything has to look like that. I know Im on a tangent but light pollution in this city is outrageous. You look up to the night sky and see nothing. And i think it’s unfortunate bc seeing at least a star or two makes you contemplate your place in the world. there are easy fixes one is making it so all the street lights or most of them are covered on the sides and point down and also passing sow thing that says porch lights and all other lights on your house are certain watts and also are covered on the sides and point down or encouraging people to turn them off when everyone is in for the night. Use little twinkle solar lights. but it sucks. I understand peoples concerns in the dark but there has got to be a way to compromise. They added a street light to my street which was absolutely unnecessary. I used to love as a kid when the one right outside would burn out and the city would take like years to come fix it. But it seems really messed up that we have essentially ruined night for the many people who like it. It is natural and part of nature. I would love to see ordinances passed on the ones owned by the city and the ones people have all over there house. wattage, covered on the sides, hell make the street lights motion activated.

Diana Radzevich2 years ago We are so focused on planting new trees, and we are not taking care of the existing trees. There are so many dead trees that could be removed and new ones planted in their place. We have heard this repeatedly in Neighborhood meetings and Parks meetings but Parks is not listening. We want to say we planted 10k trees but look at how many of those are dead within the first year. We need to slow down and do it right

Patricia Carter1 year ago People enjoy spending time outside especially if it is comfortable and beautiful to do so. We can prioritize creating effective "third spaces" in every community neighborhood in Kansas City. These shared spaces offer shelter from hot summer sun, a place to sit and gather with friends or neighbors. When people enjoy a space, they will also help to keep it clean and safe which deters criminal activity and increases property value and a sense of community.

Patricia Carter1 year ago

Becca Craig1 year ago

Carl Stafford2 years ago Contract a grassroot, minority-led nonprofit to convert the Kentucky Blue grass on parcels small than 5,000sqft into Buffalo grass. This will address storm water runoff that causes flooding and future water insecurities projected by 2070. Contract a grassroot, minority-led nonprofit to tend to the trees the city has planted. Engage with the 3,000+ senior homeowners living in high-poverty zip codes about trees being planted on their property and maintained free of charge. Remove invasive honeysuckle to show what a thriving natural forest looks like. And support residents with their composting efforts. Improving and maintaining natural systems must be done with less travel to the site, less gas-powered vehicles and equipment, and must provide adequate funding for those doing the work.

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