316 United Newsletter 4/25/2025

Mark your calendar for upcoming Earth Day events

April 25, 2025

Here is your reminder to come to 🌍 Earth Day ICT 2025, Saturday, April 26 | 1–4 PM | LW Clapp Park | 4611 E Harry St, Wichita, KS 🌿.

There’s a lot going on this April, so this newsletter is a bit longer than usual. Some email providers might clip the bottom—so don’t forget to click the “…” to read the rest!

This week, I’ve included a few news articles worth checking out. One bit of good news: thanks to our community, we now have funding to test those impacted by the water contamination near 29th and Grove. Fingers crossed we see real progress soon to help restore the soil and water there.

If you’re coming to Earth Day at Clapp Park, be sure to stop by and say hello—we’re hoping the weather cooperates!

Until next time,
Randi

Collaboration Generates $3.5 million for Testing Sedgwick County Community Members Impacted by Groundwater Contamination

Due to the efforts of a coalition featuring government, private sector and nonprofit partners a full $3.5 million has been secured for the Wichita community impacted by groundwater contamination, with a particular focus on the neighborhoods near 29th and Grove.

kansashealth.org/2025/04/24/collaboration-generates-3-5-million-for-testing-sedgwick-county-community-members-impacted-by-groundwater-contamination

Wichita State has a goal of becoming more sustainable, but some challenges have slowed improvements

Wichita State is working toward several sustainability goals, but setbacks, including recent tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump, put the university short of those goals. In a presentation to students and faculty, Executive Director of Facilities Services Eason Bryer talked about the large environmental footprint of WSU’s...

thesunflower.com/95936/news/wichita-state-has-a-goal-of-becoming-more-sustainable-but-some-challenges-have-slowed-improvements

Upcoming activities and events focused on community and environment.

Empower Offices and Commercial Kitchens Grand Opening! - Empower

Friday, April 25, 2025 3pm-9pm Empower Office and Commercial Kitchens, 103 E 21st St. N. Wichita, KS. It’s finally here—our dream is now a reality! We’re thrilled to invite you to the grand opening of our new commercial kitchen—a space designed to a space designed to empower local entrepreneurs, inspire small businesses, and strengthen our community.

empowernorthend.org/event/grand-opening

Downtown Clean-Up

Saturday, April 26, 2025 9 a.m. to Noon
Check-in at 505 E. Douglas Ave.
Lunch will be provided afterward at Naftzger Park. Volunteers MUST sign up at this link.

downtownwichita.org/cleanupdetails

Riverside Pollinator Project

Saturday, April 26 2025, 10am - Noon Riverside Gardens, 802 Amidon St. Join Riverside Garden for the Riverside Pollinator Project, their annual celebration of Earth Day. Take home native pollinator plants and bring seeds or plants to share. Sedgwick County Master Gardeners will have a seed planting activity for kids. Thanks to Hidden River Prairie Nursery for donating their plants.

www.facebook.com/share/1MjazKoMZq

EARTH DAY 2025 - L. W. CLAPP PARK 🌎

Saturday, April 26, 2025 1-4pm, 4611 E Harry St, Wichita Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly afternoon dedicated to water conservation, recycling resources, and outdoor activities.

www.facebook.com/share/1665VxrdES

Bel Aire Tree Board Arbor Day Event | April 26

Join the Bel Aire Tree Board Saturday, April 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Eagle Lake Park for this year’s Arbor Day event, featuring a litter cleanup and native plantings around the lake. Volunteers should dress for working near the water’s edge and bring a trowel and gardening gloves if they have them. Trash bags will be provided, but bringing a bucket, trash picker, and gloves to help with the cleanup is highly encouraged. Coffee and Snacks provided.

belaireks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=333

Earth Day Festival & Starter Plant Sale

Sunday, April 27 2025 10 am-2pm 15615 E 21st Street NorthFirefly Farm, Firefly Food Hub and Leah Dannar-Garcia Earth Day Festival & Starter Plant Sale. This is a VERY POPULAR - plan to arrive early.

www.facebook.com/share/1AgnuuqbxJ

FloraKansas Spring Native Plant Days - Dyck Arboretum of the Plains

April 25-April 28 177 West Hickory, Hesston KS. See website for the times. These are plants that adapt to Kansas’ challenging climate. Check out the list of native plants on the webpage.

dyckarboretum.org/arboretum-event/florakansas-spring

Kansas Wildlife Exhibit

Sunday April 27 2025, 10am Kansas Wildlife Exhibit, 700 N Nims, Wichita, KS Join us as we plant native pollinator plants at the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit. A big thanks to Friends of the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit and the Bee City Wichita collaborative for designing the landscape plan and purchasing the plants. Stay for the animal feeding time at noon.

www.facebook.com/KansasWildlifeExhibit

Plainview Park Clean-Up

Sunday (4/27) 10am-11:30 am 2918 S Fees, Plainview Park Clean Up. Come and help with a park cleanup project! Hosted by ASEZ WAO Church of God - Wichita (Save the Earth. We are one family.)

www.facebook.com/share/p/1BsB5yKuWK

2025 Ark River Clean-Up

Saturday, May 3 2025 9am - Noon. Parking Lot at 1st and Waco. Event by Ark River Clean-Up,Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center and City of Wichita- Government. Volunteers at the Clean-Up will receive an event shirt and a free lunch (while supplies last). Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Must sign up for the event. See link below.

www.facebook.com/share/1DpHnQ7dsY

Open Streets ICT - Nomar | Wichita, KS

Sunday, May 4, 2025  12pm - 4pm, 21st Street, from NoMar Market at Broadway Ave. to Woodland Park. This event is a community-building initiative focused on promoting healthy, active living and social engagement

www.wichita.gov/1709/Open-Streets-ICT---Nomar

Let’s get outdoors every week!

Family Gardening Saturday

Saturday, April 26 2025 8 am, Gardening event by ICT Treehuggers at Safe Streets, 1200 E Waterman. Learn about the ICT Treehuggers and get involved in Community Gardening. Come at 8 am for our coffee social before going out into the community to garden

www.facebook.com/share/1AbEQg78g6

ICT Farms Co.

ICT Farms are creating real change. Join them in regenerating our communities! Many opportunities to volunteer during the week, weekends, or evenings. Also at numerous locations. Check out their website for more info.

ictfarms.com/volunteer

Every Saturday »Kansas Grown! Farmers Market

7100 W 21st St N. 8am - Noon. Kansas Grown! farmers markets offer a variety of special events throughout the year, including Kids' Day, Tomato Fest, Stone Soup Day, and many others.

www.kansas-grown.com/event-calendar

Every Saturday » Old Town Farm and Art Market

Old Town, East 1st St and N. Mosley, Wichita, April-October 8:00am-1:00pm Food, Art, Artisan Goods, Live Music, Street Entertainers, and so much more.

www.oldtownfarmandartmarket.com

Coffee Social : Treehugger Tuesday

Tuesday, April 29 2025 9am Coffee, Community, & Cultivation @Safe Streets, 1200 E Waterman, 9 am
We start our day with a cozy coffee social while watching the City Council livestream, chatting about local happenings, and sharing resources. Afterward, we head out into the community to garden together. Bring your favorite mug, your ideas, and your green thumb (or borrow one of ours).

www.facebook.com/share/1GWmJVPTPQ

RECYCLE - REUSE - CONSERVE

Water Conservation-Free low flow shower heads

Starting on April 14, City of Wichita water customers can pick up a FREE low-flow shower head  or sink aerator while supplies last at the City Hall information desk, one of our Wichita Public Library locations, or a City of Wichita neighborhood resource center. 

www.wichita.gov/507/Water-Conservation-Rebate-Program

Recycling Guide | Sedgwick County, Kansas

Recycling information changes frequently. Please check back for updates. Locations listed in the Recycling Guide are in Wichita unless otherwise noted.

www.sedgwickcounty.org/environment/recycling-guide

PRo Kansas Recycling

725 E. Clark, Wichita, KS. Open Saturdays 9 am-3 pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays 1 pm-4 pm. Recycle your glass, tin cans, plastic, cardboard, office paper, magazines and more,

prokansasrecycling.org

Got ideas or need suggestions on getting more involved? Drop me an email at [email protected]. Together we can make our city and our world a better place.