The Kansas (Kaw) River stretches 171 miles from its origin in Junction City to its confluence with the Missouri River and is the primary source of drinking water for many communities in northeast Kansas. This recreational treasure was a well kept secret among a few knowing paddlers and anglers, but is fast becoming a valued recreational resource for thousands of visitors each year.
Our Outstanding Recreational Resource
Friends of the Kaw considers the Kansas (Kaw) River a 171-mile linear park to be enjoyed by families and outdoor enthusiasts. We continue to partner with river communities to develop boat access, river front parks and hiking and biking trails along the river for public use.
Rotating Pictures:
Floating on the Kaw by Craig
Thompson
Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance's Streamlink
students doing a macroinvertebrate sampling.
Catfishing on the Kaw with Captain Catfish
Partners
Small Business Partners - 2006, 2007 & 2008Bowersock Mills & Power Company
P.O. Box 66
546 Massachusetts St.
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 643-1385
Springhill Suites by Marriot
One Riverfront Plaza
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 841 2700
Creative Choice Interiors
5610 W. 61st Terrace
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66202
(913) 677-5854
Kansas City Paddler
211911 Branic Dr.
Peculiar, MO 64078
(816) 779-1195
Grants gratefully received by Friends of the Kaw:
2001
· Federation of Fly Fishers - $3,000 to assist in the planning and construction of a recreational boat ramp in St. George, Kansas.
2002
· The Ethel and Raymond J. Rice Foundation - $7,000 to develop and promote the Kansas River Atlas.
2003
· Topeka Community Foundation - $13,000 to develop the middle Kansas River section of the Kansas River Atlas, promote Friends of the Kaw and the Kansas River Atlas with a billboard, and to continue to develop positive relations with various user groups in the river basin.
· Acorn Foundation - $5,000 to support the grassroots development of Friends of the Kaw.
· Patagonia - $3,000 for preservation, rehabilitation and protection of the Kansas River watershed and efforts to abolish sand dredging in the river.
· Norcross Wildlife Foundation - $3,000 to purchase digital and video cameras and water testing equipment.
2004
· Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Justice Grant - $15,000 to develop the lower Kansas River section of the Kansas River Atlas, promote Friends of the Kaw and the Kansas River Atlas with a billboard, produce a Fish Consumption Brochure and distribute to local fishermen, and conduct a fish consumption survey.
2005
· Patagonia - $4000 to help Kansas Riverkeeper put an end to the practice of dredging sand in the river, in favor of pit operations in the Kansas River valley.
· Norcross Wildlife Foundation - $5,000 to assist in the purchase of a Riverkeeper boat.
2006
· Clean Water Act Section 19 Grant - $5,000 to fund a Kansas River Valley information and
education project.
· Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation - $5,000 to support the protection and preservation of natural resources and the care of Mother Earth.
· Patagonia - $4,000 to further assist our organizations fight to end in-river sand
and gravel mining in the Kansas River.
· New Belgium Brewing Company - $1,992 to assist in great work on the Kaw River for our communities.
2007
· Kansas Health Foundation - $20,200 to develop the “Pollution from Run-off” (non-point pollution) section of the Kansas River Atlas, provide technical assistance for the web site, and upgrade hardware and software equipment for the Kansas Riverkeeper.
· Norcross Wildlife Foundation - $2,500 to purchase a GPS camera with software and a laptop computer.
· Kansas Humanities Council - $9,180.00 to develop the cultural and historic section of the Kansas River Atlas “Life of the Kaw”.
· Patagonia - $8,760 to continue our efforts to end in-river sand and gravel mining in the Kansas River.
· AT&T - $5,000 to augment the Kansas River Atlas for under served, rural populations of the Kaw River Valley focusing on maintaining healthy watersheds.
Jim Neese, Friends of the Kaw President (2007-2008)
receives AT&T grant check from Brett Sayre, AT&T
Director-External Affairs. Marci Franciso, Senator
from Lawrence is on hand.
- Elizabeth Schultz Environmental Fund of the Douglas County Community Foundation - $4,500 to begin "Kids 4 the Kaw." This grant will include funding for the first "Sandbar School" and intial design of the "KidsCorner" web page.
- New Belgium Brewing Company - $2,271 to assist in great work on the Kaw River for our communities.
2008
- Captian Planet Foundation - $500 for "Kids 4 the Kaw."
- Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation - $5,000 to support the protection and preservation of natural resources and the care of Mother Earth.