2019 Initiatives

FRIENDS OF THE KAW
ANNOUNCES
2019 INITIATIVES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FRIENDS OF THE KAW  2019 ANNOUNCEMENTS

LAWRENCE, KS (January 31, 2019) – Friends of the Kaw prepares for the growth and sustainable future of our organization.

2019 Initiatives include:

• 2019 Big River Cleanup in Partnership with The Nature Conservancy
• Eudora Tire Cleanup in Partnership with Westar Energy’s Green Team
• Manhattan Battery Case Cleanup
• Kayak Storage Locker Pilot at Lawrence Burcham Park in Partnership with Kansas Dept. of Wildlife Parks & Tourism
• Kayak/Canoe Access that allows for shorter river trips
• Kansas Riverkeeper will paddle the 173-mile long river to bring awareness to the beauty of and threats to the Kansas River
• Participating in conversations with Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence & Kansas City about smart riverfront development that provides access to the people of Kansas while protecting water quality

In order to support all of these initiatives in 2019 and beyond, this highlights our need to add updates to our staff that will support these goals. Our long-term overarching goal is to protect and preserve the Kansas River for present and future generations. This is only truly attainable by planning for the smart growth of the organization and sustaining our endowment to protect the future of Friends of the Kaw. We hope that you will join us in this important journey!

Friends of the Kaw is pleased to announce staff additions as we grow!

Dawn Buehler, Kansas Riverkeeper with Friends of the Kaw, has been named as the Executive Director of the non-profit organization.  Dawn is starting her fifth year as the Kansas Riverkeeper and will lead the organization on its next journey to protect, advocate, and discover the Kansas River.  Dawn has a Bachelors in Business Administration from Baker University and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources – Fish & Wildlife Conservation from Oregon State University.  “I am honored to lead Friends of the Kaw as we create more opportunities to protect and preserve the Kansas River and provide for the sustainable future of the organization.”

Mike Norris has been selected as the Development Director for Friends of the Kaw.  Mike comes to us with a strong development background including a decade’s worth of work for university foundations and hospitals, especially, building programs for sustainability.  Mike is a proud graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.  He believes that building strong relationships is the key to not only career success, but in life as well.  “I am pleased to have joined such a great organization that has proudly worked for years to protect the Kansas River with limited resources and I look forward to being a part of the team that works towards sustainability and the future.”

Brian Schath has joined Friends of the Kaw as an Intern.  Brian joins Friends of the Kaw as a senior at the University of Kansas majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in communications and he is also active with the Clean Air Now Coalition.  Brian will be working on communications for Friends of the Kaw until the winter thaws and then you will find him on the river assisting with paddle trips.

For over 28 years, Friends of the Kaw has been the only non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the Kansas River.  Our mission is to advocate, promote, educate and engage Kansas River communities with their river.

Protect. Advocate. Discover. 

#Kansas River

For Media Inquiries Please Contact:
Dawn Buehler
Kansas Riverkeeper® & Executive Director
Friends of the Kaw
785.312.7200
riverkeeper@kansasriver.org