Causes: Education, Educational Services

Mission: Since 2007, we have been fulfilling our mission to empower Kansas City's future leaders to care for our environment, contribute to our economy and create healthy communities. We are a KCPT American Graduate Champion, the winner of a Civility Award from Consensus, and a MARC Sustainable Success Story.

Results: - We serve more than 150 students each year, teaching them about the environment, increasing their science literacy and comfort with nature, and helping them prepare for life after high school. - We have funded over 16,000 hours of summer internships for our students. - Our students and volunteers have planted 5 native plant beds, 50 trees and more than 4,000 native shrubs and plants in urban neighborhoods and along Brush Creek. And through our programming our students' science scores have increased, they have changed their behaviors towards the environment, they have increased their social networks and 100% have graduated from high school. Many of our graduates are currently in college and four of our graduates secured employment at their former internship sites.

Target demographics: 4th - 12th graders

Direct beneficiaries per year: 150 students

Geographic areas served: Neighborhoods located within the Kansas City Public School district

Programs: nature discovery, environmental education, workforce development, sustainable business and community engagement.