By Bill Craig
All Things Green in Kansas City
Bridging The Gap, Shadowcliff’s “parent” agency, continues to thrive as THE one stop shop for all things Green in Kansas City. A commitment to environmental stewardship education and sustainable practices in both the corporate and personal realms guides the work that is done. A dramatic increase in corporate involvement in the past few years reflects the fact that sustainability has become a mainstream message. Significant BTG partners include: Cargill, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Shumaker Family Foundation, KCP & L, the Dunn Family Foundation, Sprint, the MidAmerica Regional Center, and REI.
BTG strives to achieve its goals through becoming enmeshed in the life of the community. Recent examples include:
Providing 20+ volunteers at every KC Chiefs home game to educate (and demonstrate for) fans about recycling and composting. Thousands of individuals have been exposed to the BTG brand and message.
The highly popular Cedar Christmas Tree event in which families come and cut their own (free) tree. These cedars are invasive in prairie environments but make great Christmas trees.
New Projects
Future engagement includes an exploration of how BTG can act as a catalyst for CoHousing development. This European movement, which is becoming increasingly popular in the US, emphasizes shared facilities and “mindful communities” which result in a reduced carbon footprint and, just as importantly, living examples of environmental responsibility.
Visit Bridging the Gap’s website to find out what events are coming up in the Kansas City area, or follow on Facebook.
About Bridging the Gap
Since 1992 Bridging The Gap has been the go-to organization in Kansas City for bringing to community awareness the latest in understanding of best practices in sustainable living. Starting by leading the recycling movement before it was widely practiced, BTG continues to serve as an incubator for new solutions to the challenges that human development poses for our planet. A great example of this role has been the relationship of BTG and Shadowcliff: BTG’s founder Bob Mann was key in shepherding Shadowcliff’s early development
About Bill Craig
Bill is the CEO/President of Lakemary Center. He is also Appointed Chair of the Kansas Autism Task Force and President and Governmental Affairs Chair of InterHab, the state association for agencies serving developmental disabilities. He is a life-long nature-enthusiast and Kansas Citian, and he has recently completed his term as Board Chair for Kansas City based Bridging the Gap. Bill chairs the Shadowcliff board services committee.