Ambulatory Ecophilanthropy

Left unchecked, cities tend to expand into every available undeveloped square mile, choking off native flora and fauna in favor of Citgo stations and highway interchanges — not that there's anything wrong with that. Operating on the assumption that scraps of metropolitan nature might have some benefit, Bridging the Gap has been connecting businesses, government and people as partners in local environmental efforts.Today's Earthwalk benefits a number of the organization's programs, including Keep Kansas City Beautiful, the Heartland Tree Alliance and Kansas City WildLands. Registration lasts from 7:30 to 9 a.m., when the walk begins. It costs $22 for adults or $12 for kids. There's a $56 family package for two adults and two kids. And in case you think your small contribution won't make an actual difference, Earthwalk coordinator Leslie Barland would like you to know, in the nicest possible way, that you are totally wrong. "Kansas City WildLands is about conserving our remnant natural prairies — all these little spots around the city that look like the prairies we had 100 years ago," she says. "And a lot of the prairies they worked on, upwards of six or more, are completed. They've eliminated invasive species and restored the areas to a more pristine state." The routes for the benefit walk are all through Shawnee Mission Park (7900 Renner Road in Shawnee) and range from 1.5 to 2.7 miles. Earthwalk
Sat., April 19, 9 a.m., 2008