Coordination between existing organizations is one of the Kansas City Native Plant Initiative’s (KCNPI) four primary work areas. With their strong belief in collaboration and supporting organizations with similar missions, it is no surprise that KCNPI is the newest partner of MJV. KCNPI is made up of diverse partners across private, public, and non-profit sectors. Within this extensive collaboration, KCNPI is actively working on connecting and promoting native landscapes where people and nature thrive together. Their passion for native landscapes doesn’t end with planting. KCNPI works to spark community involvement in conservation, to disseminate information and educational resources to people of all ages, and to influence local and regional planning and land management.
“Much like MJV, KCNPI has discovered that we are accomplishing more, in greater scope and scale, when we come together for a common purpose,” said Sarah Beier, KCNPI Coordinator. “For efforts beyond our region, MJV will help KCNPI and all our partners connect with other organizations in an effort to knit together habitat for the monarch and other wildlife across the continent. MJV provides valuable resources that serve as a catalyst for widespread collaborative work.”
Previously, KCNPI was a partner in a NFWF Monarch Habitat Conservation Grant, allowing for large-scale landscape connectivity and restoration projects. KCNPI has many plans for the next two years, one of which focuses on increasing the availability of Asclepias locally, regionally and nationally.
”Partnership across all sectors and on all scales is important for our success in restoring the monarch population to a sustainable level. KCNPI offers a unique local partnership dedicated to bringing together different stakeholders for a common cause and will be a great contributing partner to MJV!” said Wendy Caldwell, MJV Coordinator.
Visit the KCNPI website for more information about their conservation work and goals!
The Monarch Joint Venture is a national partnership of federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic programs working together to conserve the monarch butterfly migration. The content in this article does not necessarily reflect the positions of all Monarch Joint Venture partners.
Header photo is of the mural commissioned by KCNPI, designed and painted by artist Amanda Gehin. The design highlights the relationship between native insects including monarchs, and the native plants they rely on for larval hosts and nectar sources. The mural is located at the entrance to the Town of Kansas footbridge, a heavily trafficked walkway near the City Market area of Kansas City, MO.