Johnson County awards $1.19 million for wetland, prairie and woodland restoration

Johnson County is investing nearly $1.2 million in seven projects designed to restore wetlands, woodlands and prairie while improving water quality and strengthening natural protection against flooding and erosion.

Last week, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved awards for the county's new Green Infrastructure Grant program. The Johnson County Park and Recreation District and two nonprofit organizations will carry out the projects, contributing an additional $400,000 for a combined investment of approximately $1.6 million.

Green infrastructure uses vegetation, soils, wetlands and other natural systems to capture and absorb rainfall, reduce runoff and protect water quality in our streams and rivers. The new grant program expands Johnson County's longstanding partnerships with municipal stormwater and public works departments to include park departments, school districts, nonprofit organizations and private property owners.

Funded projects include:

• A $175,000 award to Bridging the Gap, Inc., for riverbank corridor restoration on the Blue River
• A $206,341 award to Ducks Unlimited, for Wetland Restoration in Gardner
• A $257,819 award to JCPRD, for Mill Creek Wetland Restoration in Shawnee Mission Park
• A $127,506 award to JCPRD, for Blue River Wetland Restoration along the Blue River Streamway Trail
• A $120,470 award to JCPRD, for Prairie Restoration in Shawnee Mission Park
• A $204,218 award to JCPRD, for Woodland Restoration in Shawnee Mission Park
• A $102,244 award to JCPRD, for Biodiversity Planting in Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park

"We are excited to work with new partners to be better stewards of our Johnson County rivers and streams," said Lesley Rigney, Water Quality Specialist for Johnson County's Stormwater program. "These projects will help improve water quality, reduce flood risk and restore the landscape's ability to absorb and slowly release rainfall rather than sending it rapidly downstream."

These projects are funded through the county's Stormwater Management Program. For additional information on the Green Infrastructure Grant program and other stormwater programs, please visit the county's website.