Please donate to the Thomas Hart Benton Group–Thanks!

Remember when we used to have a lemonade fundraiser each Labor Day weekend?  It was fun, but the funds from that diminished over time due to other lemonade stands at the same festival and lowered participation.  We have not had a fundraiser in a long time.  Wouldn’t you rather just click the donate button below than be called to help work a lemonade shift like in the old days?  (The lemonade stand was fun but a lot of work!) 

Please consider donating to the Sierra Club Thomas Hart Benton Group to help with current expenses.  Every little bit helps.  Thank you so much!

You can also send us a check made out to “Sierra Club” if that is more convenient. Our address is

Sierra Club
P.O. Box 32727
Kansas City, MO 64171

Eddy-Ballentine Trail Restoration

Date: Sat., Feb. 7
Time:  9 a.m. – 11 a.m. PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME

Join Sierra Club as we work together to restore the diversity, health and resiliency of the Blue River Glades Natural Area. This remnant of ecologically significant public land is managed in conjunction with Jackson County Parks & Recreation & KC Wildlands. It is located in the heart of Kansas City providing “nearby nature” opportunities for all. 

Located just south of Swope Park, this rare limestone glade community is one of the northernmost occurrences of such a community in Missouri and the best example existing locally. Gnarled chinquapin oaks nearly 300 years old sit atop slab-like outcroppings of Bethany Falls limestone. A prairie-like flora of grasses and wildflowers provides rich color and texture through most of the year. This community is managed through periodic prescribed burning.

The glade is threatened by several exotic plant species, especially shrub honeysuckle. Please come and help so native flowers and grasses flourish again in these stunning wild areas. Trail maintenance this time of year is an advantage because there are fewer ticks but if it is too cold we will reschedule. No prior experience necessary!

Please click here for more information and to RSVP.

Conditioning Hike:  Big Bull Creek Park

Date: Sun., Feb. 8
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Big Bull Creek Park, 20425 Sunflower Rd, Edgerton, KS

A brisk- to fast-paced hike approximately 6 miles. If the temps stay cold, the trails at this park should be open. If not, we'll meet at Prairie Center in Olathe.

Please note:  The leader for this outing says: “I care about showing up if you sign up. If you have three or more ‘no shows’ without prior notice on any Meetup event, you will not be able to join us on this hike. Please do not sign up for this hike on a whim. Out of respect for the volunteer aspect of leading these events, it should be a planned commitment on your part if you are interested in being part of the outing. Please give notice if something urgent comes up that prevents you from attending.”

Also,”Those that sign up for this hike should know how to dress and what to bring. But as a reminder: gloves and hat for cold weather hiking are recommended. Dress in layers wearing appropriate fabrics; e.g. not cotton. Trekking poles are recommended in the snow. Snacks and water of course. Maybe a personal 1st aid kit, maybe Micro Spikes, YakTrax or something similar if you've hiked in them before. Maybe gaiters. Use gear that you know works for you in this climate. Please don't test out your mesh sandals on this hike.

“We're not trail running, but we're not meandering either. Approximately 3 MPH, maybe faster at times with few stops. The goal is to get a little bit of a workout.”

Please click here for more information and to RSVP.

Plans on the Table—Planning and Route-Building Night 

Date: Tues., Feb. 10
Time:  6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Lane, Lenexa, KS, 66219

This session is for adults who hike or backpack and want a real, no-nonsense space to compare planning. Camino ideas, section routes, return-to-shape progressions, big year goals — anything you’re building is fair game. You didn’t need to attend the earlier meetup; this is a chance to sit down with people who enjoy the work behind their trips and aren’t afraid to show what they’re shaping — the maps, the routes, the timing, the puzzle of it all — and this meetup gives that work a place to breathe. It’s also a chance to see how other adults think about their trips — quickly, honestly, and without pretense — and to notice where there’s natural alignment.

If you’ve been working on something—whether it started months ago or this week—bring it. CalTopo layers, Gaia routes, timing notes, alternates, constraints, training sequences, or anything else you’ve put real thought into. Maps, books, spreadsheets, notes—if you’ve actually worked on it, it belongs on the table. Early or polished doesn’t matter. Effort does. If you’re still at the “thinking about thinking about it” stage, this isn’t the right night. Share if you want input, insights, recommendations, or to see whether any alliances make sense—or not. This session is for people who bring their own work; it’s not built for anyone looking to be carried.

There is no presentation. No one is teaching anything. It’s simply a table of adults comparing real plans, pressure testing ideas, and seeing what others are building at whatever level they’re working. If you like preparation, you’ll feel at home. If you’re looking for a casual hangout or a beginner class, this won’t land.

Please click here for more information and to RSVP

Prairie Creek Hike

Date: Sat., Feb. 14
Time: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: 12496 State Highway N · Platte City, MO

Join your friends and neighbors for a hike along Prairie Creek. Enjoy a lovely winter walk passing waterfalls, rolling hills, and a lovely (sleeping) prairie.

This is a 4-mile loop on paved path. Learn about how KC is protecting water, air, and greenspace and ways you can enjoy and protect it from your local Sierra Club.

This event is rain or shine, but we will monitor the weather and may cancel if conditions become unsafe. Dress warmly and wear appropriate footwear (comfy warm socks, closed-toed walking shoes or hiking boots, please!). Water bottle recommended.

Please click here for more information and to RSVP

Parkville Nature Sanctuary Hike

Date:  Sun., Feb. 15
Time:  12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location:  Parkville Nature Sanctuary, 100 E 12 St, Parkville, MO

The Parkville Nature Sanctuary is a wildlife preserve maintained by the City of Parkville Parks and Recreation with the help of dedicated volunteers.

We’ll hike the Old Kate Trail (0.9 mi) and Whitetail Trail (1.5 mi). Old Kate is a scenic loop through a forested stream valley with waterfalls, the Riss Lake Dam, boardwalks, and the Girl Scout Cabin pavilion (mild–moderate). Whitetail climbs to the highest point in the sanctuary and loops back down to reconnect with Old Kate (moderate–difficult; hilly and rocky in places).

Please click here for more information and to RSVP.

Sunrise Urban Hike: Crush Your Daily Steps!

Date: Sat., Feb. 21
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Walk from the NKC Sam's Club parking lot, zigzagging through the 'burbs, diving into NKC’s industrial jungle, surfing above MO waves on the Heart of America Bridge, and finally river-siding it to the market! Did we mention one of the best cityscape views of downtown KC, too?

As we walk, we’ll witness the importance of urban planning, as on some of the stretches, we will be walking on sidewalks while on other stretches next to roads, where a sidewalk could be but isn't, in the grass/gravel/dirt/road edge (let's call walking along roads without sidewalks "roadside") in NKC neighborhoods—it’s like a neon sign: Sidewalks Wanted!

We'll cross the Mighty MO via the Heart of America Bridge (1, 2, 3), where great views await, walk down a wide road time forgot where we hope no train is parked on the tracks or have to go the long way around to Berkley Riverfront and see the new soccer stadium and then stop at a river viewing deck.Then pop into Chinatown Market (great cold drink selection.) Finally, our outing concludes at the vibrant River Market.

But wait! Afterward, linger for a delectable Taste of Brazil lunch—if open and not cold outside; otherwise, the sure thing is indoors at Minsky's, where the TV wall's slate of sports games awaits.

Remember, this adventure spans ten-ish miles (follow that link to see a top-down perspective & use Google Street View for an impression).

You’re in control—of how you'll get to our starting point & then back to it. THIS IS A ONE-WAY POINT-TO-POINT HIKE. YOU HAVE TO PLAN HOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO THE START & THEN WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO FOR RETURN TRANSPORTATION, e.g. if your vehicle is at Sam's Club where we started, how will you get back there to get it—we are not returning there as part of the outing. And note: we have NOT cleared anyone parking at Sam's Club for this; it is the rally point for the hike, not necessarily a proper place to assume you can park.

And if the weather is bad, it is super cold, or streets are meh from earlier weather (e.g. snow or ice on the ground), we'll likely cancel. So yeah, we're rolling the dice that we catch a break on conditions, tbd!

Please click here for more information and to RSVP.

Introduction to Wilderness Navigation 

Dates:  Sat., March 14 and Sun., March 15
Time and Location:  Please See Meetup

This popular class fills up fast so RSVP soon!  

Would you like to learn how to read a topographical map for wilderness travel and how to use a compass and GPS with that topo map so you don’t get lost? Join a two-part course “Introduction to Wilderness Navigation”. Saturday will be in class at the Discovery Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday will be in the field at Shawnee Mission Park Orienteering Course from. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This class requires a book and a compass plus an enrollment fee (scholarships available for those age 18 to 30). Also there is a lot of other preparatory information on the Meetup entry so please use the link below to get up to speed before you sign up.

Please click here for more information and to RSVP.

News You May Have Missed  

Data Centers:

KCUR: A Kansas City data center is one of the first in the nation to get a clean energy loan
https://www.kcur.org/housing-development-section/2026-01-15/kansas-city-data-center-clean-energy-loan-regulation

KCUR: Kansas City just changed its zoning to make data centers harder to build
https://www.kcur.org/housing-development-section/2026-01-16/kansas-city-zoning-data-centers

Books: 

Podcast interview - Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster by Jacob Soborof 

Climate Solutions:

New York Times: 50 States, 50 Fixes
Now more than ever, environmental solutions may seem out of reach. But they’re happening all over the country. This year, we highlighted one thing that’s working in every state.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/climate/50-states-fixes.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GFA.ZDr8.UNpz7KlYXfzS&smid=url-share (This is a gift link so it should be open for everyone)

Upcoming Events Led by Allied Organizations

Please check Lakeside Nature Center’s calendar here

Please check Missouri Department of Conservation’s calendar here

Please check Missouri Prairie Foundations calendar here

Cultivate KC has a list of events