Let your voice be heard! Attend one of the meetings on the draft Kansas Water Vision.

From the Kansas Water Office:

Water Vision Team on Statewide Tour July 7-11
Team leaders to share first draft of the 50-year Vision with public

Topeka, KS – Next week the Governor’s Water Vision Team will be visiting 12 locations throughout the state for citizens to provide input on the first draft of the 50-Year Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas.

“The first draft of the Vision has been posted to our website and we encourage the public to look at the preliminary document,” said Kansas Water Office Director Tracy Streeter. “This discussion draft is based on input the Team has been gathering for months from stakeholders representing all water uses. While we know the solution isn’t a one-size fits all, we hope this can address many of Kansas’ water priorities.”

Last fall Governor Sam Brownback issued a call to action for a 50-Year Vision to ensure a reliable water supply for Kansas citizens. The Team will be at the following locations for input from stakeholders and citizens on the first draft:
Monday, July 7
Wichita, KS – 11:30-1 pm, Sedgwick County Extension Center, 4-H Hall, 7001 W 21st St.
St. John, KS – 4:30-6 pm, Stafford County K-State Research & Extension Office, 210 E. 3rd

Tuesday, July 8
Liberal, KS – 7-8:30 am, Seward County Activity Building, 810 Stadium Road
Garden City, KS – 11:30 am -1 pm, Finney County 4-H Building, 209 W. Lake Avenue
Dighton, KS – 4:30-6 pm, Lane County 4-H Building, 755 N. 7th

Wednesday, July 9
Colby, KS – 7-8:30 am Colby Community Building, 285 E. 5th
Stockton, KS – 11:30 am -1 pm, Rooks County Fairgrounds, Harding Hall 4-H Building, 918 S. Elm
Assaria, KS – 4:30-6 pm, Assaria Community Center, 315 E. Main

Thursday, July 10
Manhattan, KS – 7-8:30 am, Manhattan Fire Department Headquarters, 2000 Denison
Washington, KS – 11:30 am – 1 pm, First National Bank, 101 C Street
Kansas City, KS – 4:30-6 pm, Kansas City Community College, Jewel Room 2325, 7250 State Avenue

Friday, July 11
Ft. Scott – 9-10:30 am, Ft. Scott Community College, Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton

“Kansas and its citizens are continually reminded of the importance of water,” said Secretary Jackie McClaskey. “We look forward to hearing from folks next week because it doesn’t matter what area of Kansas you live in, the entire state is affected by this issue.”

Stakeholders and Kansas citizens are encouraged to attend one of the Vision Tour input sessions. For more information and to view the preliminary discussion draft of the Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas, visit www.kwo.org.

Friends of the Kaw receives two grants to clean up the Kaw!

REI, Inc awarded Friends of the Kaw $2,000 to assist in river cleanups on the the Kaw.

AND

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council awarded Friends of the Kaw $10,000 for cleanup of the Kaw between Lawrence and Eudora.

We are in the process of planning our river cleanup events and we are very grateful for the support of these two organizations!

Margarita Diaz, Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental A.C. (Mexico); Michael Taylor, Illinois Water Trailkeeper (IL); Jane Sherman, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (RI); Joe Payne, Casco Baykeeper/Friends of Casco Bay (ME); Laura Calwell, Friends of the Kaw (KS)

RIVER NETWORK ANNOUNCES 2014 RIVER HEROES AWARDS
TO CELEBRATE THOSE WHO PROTECT AND CARE FOR WATERWAYS

Empowering communities throughout the Tijuana River Watershed, giving back as a tireless volunteer river trail steward in Illinois, developing national showcases of urban renewal in Rhode Island, improving water quality in Maine’s Casco Bay, and being a leading advocate for rivers in Kansas are just a few of the accomplishments of an extraordinary group of individuals who have dedicated themselves to protecting our most vital natural resource—water.

Since 2002, sixty-two individuals from around the U.S and world have been honored with this prestigious award.

“We couldn’t be more impressed than we are by the important work these individuals and their organizations are doing to make a meaningful impact on water resources around the nation”, said Nicole Silk, River Network President. “Their dedication to – and love of rivers and water- is what inspires us all.”

In addition, each year River Network celebrates one individual’s accomplishments with the James R. Compton River Achievement Award. This year’s honoree is Rebecca Wodder (Washington, DC). Rebecca is a nationally known environmental leader who has devoted her career to conservation causes, beginning with the first Earth Day in 1970, and as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (WI) on environmental and energy issues. Most recently she served at the U.S. Department of the Interior as Senior Advisor to Secretary Ken Salazar, advancing river and watershed objectives. Rebecca was nominated by President Obama for the post of Assistant Secretary of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. She previously served as President of American Rivers from 1995-2011.

River Network hosted the 2014 River Heroes Award winners at a banquet during this year’s River Rally conference in Pittsburgh, PA May 30-June 2.

For details about the River Hero program, visit www.riverheroes.org. Nominations are now open for 2015 River Heroes.

About River Network
River Network is empowering a national watershed protection movement that includes more than 2,000 local, state and regional grassroots organizations whose primary mission is to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain the health of our country. For twenty-five years, River Network has worked closely with watershed protection groups from coast to coast – building the capacity of state and local organizations, assisting people grappling with water and environmental health problems, protecting habitat for fish and wildlife, developing blue cities and reducing our country’s use of water and energy. Visit us online at www.rivernetwork.org or on Facebook.

Friends of the Kaw Recieves a Paddle Nation Grant

Outdoor Nation has provided $2,500 to Friends of the Kaw for Keeping the Dream Alive: Connecting Underserved Students with the Kansas River National Water Trail. Friends of the Kaw is working with the staff at the National Park Service’s Brown v. Board of Education site and Freedom Frontier to provide a paddling experience for the Boys and Girls Club Day Camps this summer on June 11, 18, 25, July 9 and 16 (all Wednesdays.) We will either take the group on the Kansas River from De Soto access to Cedar Creek access or to Kill Creek Lake. We NEED VOLUNTEERS on those days between 9:30 and 2:30pm. If you have a kayak or canoe and want to bring it that would be great or we also need folks to help paddle one of Friends of the Kaw’s boats. If you can help out please contact the Kansas Riverkeeper.

So many Events and Festivals coming up and we need your help!

Topeka Gives at Fairlawn Plaza Mall on June 3rd, 2014 in Topeka, KS from 7am to 6pm
Fairlawn Plaza Mall: 2114 SW Chelsea Dr. Topeka, KS 66614

Topeka Gives is a one-day event, celebrating charitable giving. The Topeka Community Foundation will provide $35,000 in “match” money for contributions made to support 111 different nonprofit organizations in the community. Contributions can be made only inside the Fairlawn Plaza Mall on that day. This event is a kid-friendly, hands-on, fun activity in which to model the joy of charitable giving.

Friends of the Kaw needs 2 volunteers for Topeka Gives. One volunteer for a 10am to 2pm shift and another for a 2pm to 6pm shift! Contact the Kansas Riverkeeper to volunteer!
Winesong at Riverfest Park in Desoto, KS on June 7th, 2014 from 3pm – 7pm
Riverfest Park: 33440 W. 79th St. Desoto, KS 66018
Winesong at Riverfest is a charitable fund-raising event for Friends of the Kaw and several other local charities! This is the 3rd Annual event and guests can enjoy the unique opportunity to discover the dozens of wines from at least 17 Kansas farm wineries throughout the local area. This is such a memorable event! This event will be held “rain or shine”!

Friends of the Kaw needs 12, yes twelve, volunteers for Winesong to help with the Friends of the Kaw booth and to help monitor a tent on that day. Folks who volunteer will get free admission (this is a awesome deal!) and the opportunity to explore and enjoy the festival as it is going on! We are not going to put you to work the entire time! Contact the Kansas Riverkeeper to volunteer!

Boulevardia in the West Bottoms of Kansas City on June 14 from 11am – 5pm and June 15 from 12pm – 5pm
West Bottoms: Around the historic 12th Street bridge near downtown Kansas City, MO
Boulevardia is a new beer, food and music festival being held in the West Bottoms of Kansas City. Friends of the Kaw is going to have an informational booth in the Eco-village of the festival. Our goal is to spread the word on our mission and recruit more people to enjoy and help with protecting and preserving the Kansas River!

Friends of the Kaw needs 6 volunteers for Boulevardia to help with the Friends of the Kaw booth. Folks who volunteer will get free admission AND a free t-shirt (which is amazing!) and have some time to explore and enjoy the festival after volunteering! We need several volunteers on both Saturday (11am to 5pm) and Sunday (12pm to 5pm) of the festival.

Contact the Kansas Riverkeeper to volunteer!

Kayaking on the Kansas River National Water Trail

On Wednesday June 11th, 2014, Laura Calwell, Kansas Riverkeeper for Friends of the Kaw will discuss paddling on the Kansas River at the REI store in Overland Park. This seminar, part of their Outdoor School calendar, will include access ramps, river characteristics, safety, and back country camping on sandbars. The Kansas River National Water Trail runs over 170 miles from Junction City to Kansas City, KS where it enters the Missouri River at Kaw Point. Laura has guided float trips for over ten years and has kayaked the entire river multiple times. She is very knowledgeable about aspects of this prairie-based river. This seminar will cover how to plan short day trips or multi-day trips on this outstanding natural resource in the state of Kansas’ back yard.

Introducing Erik Wolf, Friends of the Kaw’s new Program and Communications Director

Erik Wolf, Program & Communications Director

Erik Wolf was hired in March as the new Communication and Program Director for Friends of the Kaw. He grew up in Overland Park, KS and has his degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas. Erik takes care of the social media and various programs run by Friends of the Kaw. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves recreating in and around all types of water, especially kayaking on the Kaw. He enjoys teaching people about anything they want to know about the outdoors and believes highly the “leave-no-trace” ethic when enjoying the outdoors so the next person who paddles, bikes, hikes or sight sees behind him will get their own feeling they are the first to explore. Erik lives on Strawberry Hill in KCK where he has a beautiful view of the Kansas River everyday of the year!

Celebrate Earth Month and benefit Friends of the Kaw via Green Wish Kansas!

April is Earth Month! To show their support for Lawrence green initiatives, these restaurants are contributing a portion of profits on specific days of April to Green Wish!

Merchants Pub & Plate – April 21st and 23rd
LiMESTONE – pizza.kitchen.bar– April 22nd
Pachamamas Restaurant and Star Bar – April 24th
715 Restaurant– ongoing sponsor

What better way to show your support for local green projects than to eat local! Be sure to visit these restaurants on the dates above and tell them you’re there to support Green Wish!