Sierra Club | Kansas City | Backpacking | Hiking | Service

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 just south of Swope Park in the heart of Kansas City providing “nearby nature” opportunities for all. This 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 honeysuckle, which needs to be eradicated 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 wet or too cold we will reschedule. No prior experience necessary! Volunteers will work to remove invasive shrub honeysuckle from the Eddy-Ballentine Trail loop which winds through upland forest to the Blue River Glade Natural Area.
What to Bring:
Work gloves, long pants, and sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes or boots (no sandals) are required. Layers of clothing and a hat depending on the weather. Glasses or sunglasses for eye protection. A water bottle full of water. Hand saw or loppers if you have them. Bug spray and sunscreen recommended.
At sign-in, all participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard participant agreement you can read here, if you would like to read it b4 you choose to participate, www.tinyurl.com/sonsite
The outing officially begins & ends on the dates & the locations designated by Sierra Club. Carpooling for this outing is not included or arranged by Sierra Club leaders. It is at your discretion with other participants to & from the outing; each participant is personally responsible for all risks associated with this travel.

Check out this short video of one of our workdays by Nyvia DelaCruz, Jackson County Communications DPT who also took the above photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXb8e8PpD4z/
This video explains how and why we are getting rid of honeysuckle-
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+chainsqw+honeysuckle&&view=detail&mid=7B9E815CCBCF458704A77B9E815CCBCF458704A7&&FORM=VDRVSR
Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet 🌎
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more informationl, visit www.sierraclub.org.
Why America must protect 30x30 (w/ Sen. Tom Udall, Dr. Enric Sala) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4VmOchhp8o

🚶‍♂️ From NKC to KCMO’s River Market: Suburban & Urban Adventure Awaits on a Ten-ish Mile hike! 🌆

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 neighbourhoods— it’s like a neon sign: Sidewalks Wanted! 🏙️

We'll cross the Mighty MO via the HOA 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 River Front **and see the new soccer stadium and then stop @ 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 we'll likely cancel. So yeah, we're rolling the dice that we catch a break on conditions, tbd!

Guidelines for staying safe and projecting group strength:

1. What to Bring: Pack your headlamp, fresh batteries, water, snacks, mini-umbrella, rain jacket, hiking sticks/staff, & pepper spray.
2. Stay Close: Maintain physical proximity. Walk closely together.
3. Dress Code: Go ahead & wear bright colours if you'd like to, e.g. bright safety color vest/outwear (e.g. fluorescent blaze orange (hunter orange) or fluorescent chartreuse (hunter safety green)
   Also, wear layers that you can remove & put in a daypack that you also bring.
4. Blinking Lights: Since we're walking roadside without sidewalks at times, consider using reflective armbands or flashing LED lights. Stay visible & stay safe! 🚶‍♂️🌟
5. Awareness: Be vigilant of your surroundings. Scan for potential threats & stay alert. If you see something, say something.
6. Confidence: Walk with purpose & avoid looking hesitant. Confidence can deter troublemakers.

Remember, safety is a collective effort, and by following these guidelines, our group will be more visible to traffic, project strength and discourage unwanted attention. 😊👍

How Do I Get to Go?

Read everything. Be prepared. Sign up.

Use LNT practices.

Sign the standard participant agreement.

Bring a personal 1st aid kit.

Be prepared with a rapid solution should you not be able to finish and need to leave the outing, e.g. if you find 10 miles is too much, have a bail out ready so it doesn't bog down the group.

The Outing officially begins & ends on the dates & at the location designated by the Sierra Club, i.e., the trailhead. The Outing does not include carpooling—at your discretion, transportation, or transit to & from the Outing; each participant is personally responsible for all risks associated with this travel. Account for travel time when planning; we just show together time. You decide how to reach the start & leave from the finish.

🤒 If you’re sick, please do not attend. 🏥

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 9-4 and Sunday will be in the field at Shawnee Mission Park Orienteering Course from. 1 to 3.
YOUR RSVP DOES NOT HOLD YOUR SPOT!
Class size is limited to the first 12 people who enroll. Once you have enrolled and paid, I will confirm that you are in the classes.
ENROLLMENT = $70.
Scholarships = $25 . If you are under the age of thirty as part of the Outdoors for All Program which helps each new generation stay in touch with nature and learn the importance of protecting it for the next generation.
Please enroll via PayPal -https://paypal.me/kcsierracluboutings
Part of your payment ($25) is for class materials: UTM booklet with grid tool, USGS Hilda topo quad map, and worksheets/handouts. The remainder of the payment, is a fundraiser/donation to finance the Gear Lending Library, local leadership first aid training, & trail maintenance in KS & MO. Instructors are volunteers & not compensated.

BEFORE CLASS
Read the book “Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter & GPS” by Bob & Mike Burns, Mountaineers Books, 2025 (fourth edition). The book is not included in the materials that I will be giving you at the first class. You may be able to find the book at the library -
https://search.worldcat.org/title/88994130
or you can purchase on Amazon.
FOR CLASS
You will need a compass with a clear baseplate and adjustable declination. One basic compass that the book recommends is the Brunton Tru Arc 5. You can order the compass online at several sites like Amazon or Target.
FEB 21 (SAT)9:00 AM- 4:00 PM, ANITA GORMAN DISCOVERY CENTER
CHAPTERS 1 - 2, MAP AND COMPASS BASICS
“With the exception of your brain, a map is your most important navigational tool. No one should venture into the wilderness without one, nor without the ability to interpret it.”
CHAPTERS 3, ORIENTATION & NAVIGATION
"Navigation is the science of determining the location of your objective and keeping yourself pointed in the right direction from your starting point to this destination.
CHAPTERS 5 -8, GPS, LOST, UTM, & ROUTEFINDING
“Routefinding begins at home. Before heading out the door, you need to know not only the name of your wilderness destination but also a great deal about how to get there and back. This information is accessible from guidebooks and maps and from people who have been there.”
FEB 22 (SUN) 1:00- 3:00 PM, SHAWNEE MISSION PARK
Practice with map & compass at the Shawnee Mission Park Orienteering Course. Meet at 7900 Renner Rd Visitor Center, Shawnee, KS 66219
At sign-in - all participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard participant agreement you can read here, if you would like to read it b4 you choose to participate, www.tinyurl.com/sonsite

Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet 🌎 - The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with over 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
Why America must protect 30x30 (w/ Sen. Tom Udall, Dr. Enric Sala) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4VmOchhp8o

⚠️ STATUS: RSVPs are not yet open. Spots will open right when Meetup says they will, and cut off with sufficient time (weeks of it) to allow for our online interactions well ahead of the in-person activities.

This program introduces you to backpacking through a weekend that combines classroom learning, several trail miles with loaded packs, and an overnight campout. It’s designed for people who want to try backpacking, learning basics in a supportive setting.

You’ll gain confidence, practical know‑how, and a sense of what it takes to prepare for and travel in the backcountry. If you’ve never backpacked before, this is the place to start.

If you've backpacked before and want to pitch in, reach out. It is a great way to give back, meet people, and help build the KC-area backpacking community.

👉 Want more after this? Brush up your wilderness navigation and trip planning skills; research, prepare for, and get out there on the many area backpacking trails. Explore guided National Sierra Club Outings, which offer a wide variety of big‑league adventures across the country.

What Activities to Expect

• Flexible e-learning up front (see more on this below)
• Saturday Morning: Classroom session introducing backpacking basics.
• Saturday Afternoon: Transition to the campground, then shoulder packs and hike several miles on trail before returning to camp to set up for the night.
• Saturday Night: Camp overnight.
• Sunday Morning (10 AM-ish): Group Activities. Wrap‑up.

Program Price
The program cost is $70. This helps to finance the gear library, support leadership training & trail maintenance. The instructors volunteer their time w/o compensation. Refunds are not available if requested less than 30 days before the 1st activity.

Participants complete a standard participant agreement & medical form in class. Bring a personal 1st aid kit to all outdoor activities.

Gear
We’ve got (some of) you covered—literally. Our small but mighty gear library is available to Sierra Club members in and for this class, but supplies are limited. It includes sleeping bags, pads, tents, backpacks, and stoves.

Because quantities are limited, we need to sort this out in advance. You’ll see a Google survey as part of the sign‑up workflow below — your responses there are essential, since they tell us about your interest and help us allocate gear once we verify your membership.

If you’d like to take advantage of this resource but aren’t yet a member, you can join the Sierra Club for as little as $15. When we confirm gear is available for you, you’ll need to provide proof of membership (for example, your membership number).

With the exception of those approved to borrow gear from our lending library (and only for the specific items allocated), YOU will provide and use all your own kit— along with all consumables such as food, water, first aid kit, medications, and stove fuel.

Weather & Contingencies
Backpacking is an outdoor activity, and weather is part of the challenge. Activities will proceed in normal variable conditions (e.g., heat, cold, wind, rain). However, if severe weather or unsafe conditions arise (e.g., thunderstorms, flooding, extreme heat advisories, acts of nature, etc.), the leadership team may adjust or postpone the activities, or cancel them outright.

If full cancellation becomes necessary, we will attempt to offer one follow‑on opportunity within the next month or two, if possible. While this may not align with everyone’s schedule, we believe the value gained through our shared content, online interaction, and commitment to outdoor activities fulfills our mission, and thus, lack of alignment with the rescheduled date is not a basis for a refund.

Our Backpacking Chops are Established
To give you an idea of our past successful backpacking classes, take a look back at it over the years:

f 2021
w 2021
s 2022
f 2022
s 2023
f 2023
s 2024
f 2024
f 2025

How to Join
First, read everything—seriously, don’t skim. The details matter.
Then, join the waitlist. If we’re in sync, you’ll get a survey to complete. Make sure you use an email that lasts—it’s how we’ll stay in touch.

There are spots for ≈20 people who fully sign up quickly ONCE RSVPs OPEN.

Sign‑up workflow
These are steps that often happen one-at-a-time and days or weeks apart, depending on our availability. Please complete the steps ASAP when we prompt them.

→ RSVP on the Meetup waitlist when that opens
→ Complete a Google survey promptly when we send it
→ Get approval confirmation (you'll know if we move you to the going list here on Meetup)
→ Pay $70 to Sierra Club via PayPal when we ask for it (we usually work the preceding steps over the first month or two, then do this in a batch)
→ Accept the Slack invitation and engage with us there

Get Prepared on Your Schedule with Our Flexible E-Learning Setup
We connect with participants through the Slack platform (a private workspace/chat tool), utilizing a flexible, asynchronous model. This approach allows you to access information on your own time, while still ensuring everyone stays aligned on critical logistics.

Here’s how we manage the flow of information:

• Asynchronous Access (Learn on Your Schedule): The core benefit is flexibility. Our system means the extensive library of resources, guides, and tips is available for you to review at your convenience, day or night. And we'll be prompting some of this, to emphasize certain content well ahead of the activities.
• Regular Monitoring Is Required: While you learn on your own schedule, timing is still critical for announcements. You must actively monitor both the Meetup event page and the workspace from time to time to catch mandatory updates and logistical prompts (e.g., when the payment step is due).
• Consultation is Optional (Leverage Our Expertise): Your level of engagement with the deeper content is up to you. You are welcome to simply follow mandatory updates and logistical prompts. However, if you want our volunteer instructors to consult on specific topics or gear choices, you can proactively engage within the workspace—that's your call. The flexibility of the platform lets us get back to you when we're able to do so.

Your Responsibility: Proactive engagement is key to staying informed! To succeed, you must actively and frequently monitor both Slack and Meetup for updates and announcements. Do not rely solely on push notifications to stay in the know.

Notice
The activities officially begin & end at the locations designated by Sierra Club, and don’t include carpooling, transportation, or transit to & from them; each participant is personally responsible for all risks associated with this travel. Account for travel time when planning.