Bringing Kansas City Kids Back to Nature
About Green Works In Kansas City
Green Works in Kansas City began in the fall of 2007 with a mission to connect urban youth to the natural environment and the emerging green economy. For nearly two decades, we evolved continuously in response to the changing needs of Kansas City’s young people. We leave behind a legacy of thousands of lives touched. Scroll down to read more about our work and our final projects.
Workforce Development (2007-2023)
During our first fifteen years, we served high school juniors and seniors through Excelerate, a year-long after-school program blending environmental projects, sustainability education and career readiness. Students learned about Kansas City’s environmental issues and initiatives, directly participated in community projects, built professional skills, developed career plans, and earned paid summer internships aligned with their goals.
During this time, Green Works funded more than 16,000 hours of paid internship experience, placing students at organizations including the Kansas City Zoo, the Missouri Department of Conservation, HNTB, the EPA, and the Kansas City University medical school. Independent evaluations found that all Excelerate graduates were better prepared for employment, and 100% graduated from high school.
The Perennial Bee Retail Store (2020–2024)
During the pandemic, we opened The Perennial Bee, a social enterprise retail store focused on sustainable products. Our high school students selected inventory, waited on customers, fulfilled orders, and assisted with marketing — gaining real-world small business experience while introducing the community to more sustainable choices.
ECOS Kids Nature Club (2017–2026)
Recognizing a need to reach youth at a younger age, we launched ECOS Nature Club in 2017 for students in grades 4–7. Held at the Discovery Center and Lakeside Nature Center, the program used hands-on outdoor exploration to spark curiosity about the natural world. During the pandemic, demand for safe outdoor programming surged, and ECOS expanded to serve 200+ children annually including partnerships with other youth organizations.
EcoLab Career Camp (2021 - 2025)
Our EcoLab was a “first-job” summer experience for rising 9th and 10th graders. Students learned about environmental issues facing Kansas City including water and air quality, solid waste, and loss of biodiversity. Eco Lab put science into action as students worked alongside scientists to monitor these conditions and upload their findings into national databases.
Eco Lab also included significant communication skills development and a session of practice interviews with professional volunteers. Students earned a stipend for their attendance, attitude and active participation.
Community Impact
Green Works students and volunteers didn’t just learn — they gave back. Highlights of our community work included a major habitat restoration of the Brush Creek Oxbow, where students and volunteers planted more than 3,000 native plants and 35 native trees and removed nearly two acres of invasive honeysuckle. Students also co-hosted nine community water conservation events, produced public service videos for Kansas City Water Services, created environmental art installations, and participated in recycling education campaigns. Across all initiatives, Green Works added more than 4,000 native plants, shrubs, and trees to Kansas City’s urban landscape. Read more about our community impact.
Final Projects
As we conclude our operations in 2026, staff are completing several final initiatives. The most significant is a free, downloadable SEL and mental health focused nature curriculum for 4th – 7th graders. The lessons are a distillation of nearly two decades of experience connecting youth to the natural environment. Grounded in the ECOS Nature Club model, these lesson plans are designed to be accessible to educators and youth organizations anywhere, ensuring that our work continues to inspire long after the organization closes. Read more about the lesson plans and our other final projects.
Green Works In Kansas City
Recognized For Excellence
We are a KCPT American Graduate Champion, the winner of a Civility Award from Consensus, and a MARC Sustainable Success Story.
