Most people would not think of Kansas City having wetlands. However, KC Water is taking new strides to categorize the thousands of acres of natural wetlands in the city to help preservation and awareness.
With help from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), KC Water staff will be digitizing and updating current wetland records, which date to the 1980s.
Kansas City is the first community in the state of Missouri to undertake a wetland mapping project of this scale, and this effort fills critical gaps in federal resource maps and helps the city plan more thoughtfully for the future including supporting smarter development, stronger environmental policies, and modern conservation practices.
Within the city’s wetlands there are over 300 plant species, as well as dozens of unique fish, bird, amphibian, reptile, and insect species.
To help with this work, KC Water is boosting awareness of the city’s wetlands and their importance. February 2nd, 2026 was declared Kansas City Wetlands Day by the City Council on Thursday, January 29th.
Public signs like the one below have also been places along trails and in parks throughout the city to let the public know about this important natural resource.
Kansas City Wetlands Day also serves as a reminder that wetlands face ongoing threats from urban development and pollution.
Kansas City Residents can help this effort by:
- Keeping trash and pollutants out of waterways
- Supporting wetland protection and restoration efforts
- Learning about and appreciating wetlands in their neighborhoods
