Who We Are
Heartland Conservation Alliance (HCA) is a nonprofit urban land trust dedicated to restoring and protecting the Blue River watershed. Through collaboration, conservation, and community engagement, HCA works to expand equitable access to nature and connect people throughout the watershed to the lands and waters that sustain us all.
Help us Renew the Blue!
Mission
Work with partners to protect, connect, and restore the Blue River watershed and its urban greenspaces for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
Vision
A sustainable environment that supports the health of all human and natural communities in the Kansas City region.
Where We Work
Home to over 800,000 residents, the Blue River is truly Kansas City’s river. Flowing through two states, four counties, and 21 municipalities, its headwaters begin in Kansas near the Overland Park Arboretum and winds north roughly 40 miles through the heart of the metro before joining the Missouri River.
Learn more about the health of the Blue River Watershed and what we must do to protect it in the Blue River Report Card.
Along its journey, the Blue River is fed by important tributaries — including Brush, Indian, Tomahawk, Coffee, Wolf, and Camp Branch Creeks — each contributing to the river’s health and local character. The watershed connects suburban and urban neighborhoods, industrial areas, brownfields, wetlands, and forests, reflecting the region’s rich diversity of landscapes and communities. Remarkably, two-thirds of the metro’s stormwater drains into this watershed, highlighting its vital role in the region’s environment and infrastructure.Our Programs
Conservation & Policy
Conserving land through restoration and advocacy to create a more sustainable Blue River watershed.
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Education & Outreach
Connecting people to nature by empowering communities to take action, learn, and care for our watershed.
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Alliance Services & Environmental Justice
Convening stakeholders to align efforts, pool resources, and turn regional conservation plans into on-the-ground action.
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