KACEE was well represented at the 2025 Kansans for Conservation Day at the Capitol on February 25th. Board President Marcel Harmon, KACEE high school intern Chamiru Liyanawaduge from Green Tech Academy at Olathe West High School, and KACEE staff members Rachel Wahle and Laura Downey made visits to legislators on HB2063. 

This bill is designed to provide sustained and adequate funding for conservation work in Kansas including working lands, wildlife, recreation and outdoor and environmental education.  

More than 80 people representing the diverse group of organizations who are a part of the Kansans for Conservation Coalition met with legislators, reaching an estimated 100 legislators throughout the day.  

Justin Cobb, a leadership team member and organizer of the Day at the Capitol shared this the following day: “Being present and being seen is crucial to elevating our issue and providing legislators with direct contact of supporters. It can’t be overstated how important the small interactions and big conversations you all had yesterday are to making meaningful progress. On the topic of making progress, we received substantial interest and feedback from legislators yesterday that will craft our strategic plan moving forward.”

With the condensed legislative session, the coalition did not have the bill worked in committee this year, but we will be convening the coalition to make some suggested changes to the bill and reintroduce it in the next legislative session.  

For more information, please reach out to Laura Downey at ldowney@kacee.org