Pollution has become a major problem in Kansas waters, reports The Salina Journal.Drinking, boating and fishing have grown impossible in many Kansas streams due to contamination from pesticides, severe erosion, and livestock and urban runoff. But now the Nature Conservancy of Kansas hopes to reverse the trend. The nonprofit has put up a $2 million gift that will be used to build and promote stream conservation in the state.
“Kansas has some of the most abused and neglected streams in North America,” says Rob Manes of the Conservancy. He added that “there’s really no comprehensive approach to doing something about it.” Until now.
The $2 million gift comes from the David T. Beals III Charitable Trust. It will be used to establish a statewide stream conservation program. The new effort will broker relationships between farmers, ranchers, state agencies and municipalities in Kansas.