Peer Learning Groups Inspire Soil Remediation Action
Soil contamination from lead, asbestos, and other harmful contaminants is a widespread - but often overlooked - problem in Northeast Kansas City, Kansas (NE KCK). Peer Learning Groups organized by Groundwork NRG and the Unified Government (UG) Department of Planning & Urban Design aim to change that by building community knowledge around soil remediation, and helping residents organize to do something about it.
Soil Remediation Peer Learning Group participant Catalina Murillo looks at a lead test result taken by Kansas State Environmental Chemistry graduate student Amila Mudiyanselage on March 6, 2024.
Vacant lots in NE KCK often contain elevated levels of lead, asbestos, and other harmful contaminants that come from debris buried in the basements of demolished houses. Many residents are not aware of these risks, which are especially dangerous for children who play around areas of exposed soil.
During the Soil Remediation Peer Learning Groups (PLGs), cohorts of about 15 residents gathered to exchange ideas about the toxic legacy of soil contamination in Wyandotte County. Participants attended four sessions and were paid for their time and expertise. Childcare, dinner, and transportation were provided, and sessions were offered in English and Spanish.
Peer Learning Group participants gather at John’s Java and Jazz on March 6, 2024.
As part of the PLGs, presenters from the UG’s kNOw Lead program assisted residents in applying for free home soil testing and remediation services. Graduate students from Kansas State University’s Soil and Environmental Chemistry research program also demonstrated how to test soil for lead using X-rays at several neighborhood vacant lots - all of which registered levels of lead considered unsafe.
“This was an incredibly diverse group of residents that continued to grow in size and passion,” organizer Alyssa Marcy, a Long-Range Planner at the UG, said. “I heard from many of the participants that the soil contamination in our community was something they never even knew about. Now they feel empowered to do something about it.”
Kansas State Environmental Chemistry graduate student Eduardo Gutierrez shows lead test results to residents.
At the conclusion of the three cohorts, all participants were invited to a weekend retreat to brainstorm next steps for community action. Some of the ideas that the group came up with include:
A local ordinance to require soil testing and remediation for vacant lots before they are sold by the UG Land Bank.
A program to plant vacant lots with native plants that can contribute to “bioremediation” - the process through which plants naturally filter out harmful contaminants.
The creation of a KCK Brownfields office that could steer EPA funding to land cleanup and revitalization efforts in our local community.
Stay tuned in the coming months as participants work to organize an advocacy campaign to transform some of these ideas into action.