A Season of Stewardship

On Saturday, December 6, 2025, holiday cheer and ecological care came together at Powell Gardens. Christmas Cedar Tree Day, hosted in partnership with Bridging The Gap’s Kansas City WildLands and the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture (MCRA) at Powell Gardens, welcomed the community to celebrate the season while actively restoring native prairie landscapes.

Guests were invited to harvest their own eastern red cedar trees, a fragrant and beautiful option for holiday decorating. While eastern red cedars are native to our region, their aggressive spread can overwhelm prairie ecosystems, crowding out native grasses and wildflowers. By removing these trees, participants directly supported healthier, more biodiverse prairies.

Throughout the day, staff and volunteers from Good Oak and Kansas City WildLands guided guests through selecting, cutting, and safely transporting their trees. Afterward, families warmed up with hot cider, cookies, and a cozy fire, sharing stories and enjoying the festive atmosphere. A suggested $25 donation per tree included two complimentary tickets to Powell Gardens’ Evergy Festival of Lights, giving participants another opportunity to experience the magic of the Gardens during the winter season.

“This event turns a favorite holiday tradition into stewardship,” said Cody Jolliff, CEO of Powell Gardens. “As Kansas City’s botanical garden, we’re thankful we were able to offer guests the chance to interact with the plants in our region in a fun and celebratory way. Families created lasting memories while contributing directly to ecological restoration efforts.”

With the help of 11 dedicated volunteers contributing 72 hours of service, the community raised $3,200 in donations and removed an estimated 150–200 cedar trees from prairie areas. These efforts directly support ongoing restoration work through Kansas City WildLands and the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens.

“Eastern red cedar removal is a key part of preserving biodiverse prairie habitats,” shared Hunter Moore, Kansas City WildLands Program Manager with Bridging The Gap. “Christmas Cedar Tree Day gave people a way to care for the landscapes that define our region during the holiday season. It’s a powerful example of how community engagement can directly support ecological health.”

Christmas Cedar Tree Day is a reminder of what’s possible when education, hands-on action, and community come together. Even in the quiet months of winter, restoration work continues. And thanks to events like this, it’s filled with joy, gratitude, and shared purpose.

Proceeds from the event support Kansas City WildLands and the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens. To learn more about MCRA’s work or to support regenerative agriculture and land stewardship in our region, visit www.powellgardens.org/midwest-center.