Our Team

March 27, 2019 by /

OUR TEAM!

Team Meeting as we kick off our 2019 crazy and fun-filled schedule!

Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead this year…..

19 Educational River Trips 
7 River Cleanups
16 Kids About Water Education Classes
7 Boys & Girls Club Paddle Experiences
12 Riverbank Restoration Work Days…..
and much more!

We have a full program and a great TEAM to lead our journey for the Kansas River!

(Pictured L-R) Back Row: Dawn Buehler, Kansas Riverkeeper & Executive Director; Laura. Calwell, Education Director,; Mike Norris, Development Director; Front row: Brian Schath, Intern Programs; and Denise Kidder, Education Specialist.

Come join us.
Protect. Advocate. Discover.

Www.kansasriver.org/membership

#kansasriver

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Kansas River Cleanup

March 23, 2019 by /

KANSAS RIVER CLEANUP 

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019 – LAWRENCE

Celebrate Earth Month by giving back to the Kansas River! Join The Nature Conservancy, Friends of the Kaw and the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association on Saturday April 27 to pick up litter along the river in Lawrence.

We’ll meet at the 8th Street boat ramp in north Lawrence and spread out from there.

Let us know you’re coming! RSVP at bit.ly/kawcleanup

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FRIENDS OF THE KAW AWARDED MDRT FOUNDATION’S WORLDWIDE GRANT

March 19, 2019 by /

FRIENDS OF THE KAW AWARDED MDRT FOUNDATION’S WORLDWIDE GRANT

LAWRENCE, KS (March 19, 2019) – Friends of the Kaw is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant from the MDRT Foundation through their Worldwide Grant Program.  This grant is awarded to assist Friends of the Kaw with the project “The Great River Cleanup:  Recover & Restore the Kaw”.

“We have worked for over 20 years to cleanup the Kaw and some of our biggest challenges lie ahead”, said Dawn Buehler, Kansas Riverkeeper and Executive Director with Friends of the Kaw.  “We continue to cleanup tires, old boats and battery cases all along the Kansas River”.

The cleanup projects will be started in 2019 and we plan to engage our robust volunteer force to assist with the projects.  Local communities, volunteers, fisherfolk, kayakers, and river enthusiasts all come together to keep our river clean.  We appreciate the assistance from the MDRT Foundation to fund this important work for the health of the Kansas River.

Kansas businessman, Duayne Madl, a member of the Million Dollar Round Table organization, sponsored the grant application and award.

About MRDT Foundation:

The MDRT Foundation is the charitable arm of the Million Dollar Round Table, The Premier Association of Financial Professionals. The MDRT Foundation helps MDRT members maximize their philanthropic efforts in their own communities and worldwide. The mission of the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation is to increase member and industry participation and to give funds to worthwhile charitable organizations throughout the world.

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Friends of the Kaw is the only non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the Kansas River.  Our mission is to advocate, promote, educate and engage the Kansas River.

Protect. Advocate, Discover.  #Kansas River. 

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Comment Now on the proposed WOTUS Rule of the Clean Water Act

March 5, 2019 by /

Comment Now on the proposed WOTUS Rule of the Clean Water Act

How to Comment:

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Thank You Wild & Scenic

March 4, 2019 by /

 A big heartfelt THANK YOU for supporting the 10th Anniversary of the

WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL!

Thank you Manhattan, Overland Park & Lawrence….you overwhelm us with your support!

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2019 Volunteer Days Announced for Kansas Riverbank Restoration Project

February 14, 2019 by /

2019 Volunteer Days Announced for Kansas Riverbank Restoration Project

“Protecting the Watershed of Douglas County through History, Education and Action”

2018 Douglas County Natural & Cultural Heritage Grant

VOLUNTEER WORK DAYS ANNOUNCED FOR SPRING 2019!

Sign up for volunteer work days here:  Volunteer Work Days Spring 2019

Location for work days:  https://goo.gl/maps/wJDT8dfyQd62

Thursday, March 21, 2019 – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Saturday, March 30, 2019 – 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Thursday, April 11, 2019 – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 20, 2019 – Special Earth Day Service Project – 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Saturday, May 11, 2019 – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 – 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Learn more here!

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2019 Initiatives

January 31, 2019 by /

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.

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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

KANSAS RIVERKEEPER LOGO    Waterkeeper Alliance

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10th Anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival

January 18, 2019 by /

Wild & Scenic Film Festival- Our 10 Year Anniversary!

What is the Wild & Scenic Film Festival?

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival was started by the watershed advocacy group, the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), in 2003.  Read more here:  https://www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/about/.  The film festival has evolved into the largest environmental film festival in the nation.  The annual event each January in Nevada City, CA kicks off the nationwide tour to over 140 cities. We think the films are just too good, and the messages too powerful to keep them to ourselves. Come watch and see for yourself!

This Festival benefits Friends of the Kaw! We are hosting the 10th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of the Kaw and the Kansas Riverkeeper Program.

Buy Tickets Now!  $15.00 for Adults; $7.00 for Students

FREE Students Tickets, first come first serve, for the Manhattan & Lawrence locations.  Email request for FREE tickets to:   info@kansasriver.org. 

FREE Tickets courtesy of WESTAR ENERGY’S GREEN TEAM!

Wednesday, February 27, 2019  @ 7:00 PM

K-State Union (Forum Hall)
918 N. 17th Street
Manhattan, KS 66506

Buy Tickets Today for Manhattan:  MANHATTAN

Thursday, February 28, 2019 @ 7:00 PM

Cinetopia

5724 136th Terr.
Overland Park, KS

Buy Tickets Today for Overland Park: OVERLAND PARK

Friday, March 1, 2019 @ 7:00 PM

Liberty Hall
644 Massachusetts St.
Lawrence, KS 66044

Buy Tickets Today for LAWRENCE

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Please DONATE Today!

December 28, 2018 by /

Please DONATE Today!

We’ve got plans for 2019 and we need your help!

Please consider donating to our program for the river….cleanups, enforcing the Clean Water Act, educating about the impacts of stormwater and representing the river in community discussions, to name a few. It’s not too late to get a tax deduction for 2018 by doing something good for the Kansas River. Donate online today, all donations go to our work for the river!  Thank you for your support!

Consider becoming a Sustaining Member. Over 800,000 Kansans depend on the Kaw for drinking water, and the river is home to many native plants and animals. The river has been designated a National Water Trail and is arguably the superior outdoor experience for the region.  We are funded entirely from memberships, donations and grants, so please donate today!

Thank you for your continued support of Friends of the Kaw and the Kansas Riverkeeper. Together we are protecting our river for present and future generations.

Sunrise Kansas River

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10th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival

December 28, 2018 by /

WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL 2019
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Save the Dates! We are celebrating our 10th Year of bringing the Wild & Scenic Film Festival to Kansas!  Lock in these dates….tickets will go on sale soon!
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
K-State Union (Forum Hall)
Manhattan, KS
Thursday, February 28, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
Cinetopia
Overland Park, KS

Friday, March 1, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
Liberty Hall
Lawrence, KS

Learn more about the Wild & Scenic Film Festival here.

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