Today we’d like to introduce you to Logan Heley.
Hi Logan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story really starts at my father’s modest solar business. I was a half-day kindergartener, and I spent my mornings watching him work. Even then, the seeds of conservation and climate action were being planted. Growing up in the Shawnee Mission school district, I always felt a deep connection to this community, which eventually led me to the University of Southern California to study journalism and history, and later to the University of Kansas for my MPA.
My career path has been a bit of a mosaic. I’ve worked as a package handler for UPS to pay for school, interned at the Obama White House and for Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, and spent years in community engagement at Harvesters—The Community Food Network. Each of these roles taught me that whether you’re moving boxes, writing press releases, or fighting food insecurity, it’s all about service.
In 2017, I decided to take that spirit of service to the local level and was elected to the Overland Park City Council. It was during my time on the Council and my volunteer work on the 2021 Blue River Report Card that I truly saw the intersection of policy and the planet. I realized how vital nature-based solutions are for our region’s future. In 2022, I was honored to become the Executive Director of Heartland Conservation Alliance. Today, I get to spend my days protecting our natural resources and my evenings serving the residents of Overland Park. It’s a journey that has taken me to six continents, but there is no place I’m more passionate about than right here in Kansas City.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I believe the obstacles are where you find your purpose. My first run for public office in 2016 for the Kansas State Senate ended in a loss. At the time, it was a major disappointment, but looking back, it was the most important ‘growing pain’ of my career. It taught me how to handle public defeat, how to listen to neighbors with vastly different perspectives, and how to stay committed to a community even when the path doesn’t lead where you initially expected.
That experience cleared the way for me to run for the Overland Park City Council in 2017, where I’ve since been able to make a direct impact on the neighborhoods where four generations of my family have lived.
Transitioning into my role as the second Executive Director of Heartland Conservation Alliance brought a different kind of challenge. Following a founding leader is never a simple ‘plug-and-play’ situation; it requires honoring a foundational legacy while simultaneously evolving the organization to meet the urgent climate needs of today. The struggle often lies in the complexity of the work itself—bridging the gap between various municipalities, community stakeholders, and environmental goals within the Blue River watershed. Navigating those diverse interests to find common ground for nature-based solutions is a constant, high-stakes puzzle. Whether it’s at City Hall or out in the watershed, the road is rarely paved perfectly, but it’s the rough parts that make you a more effective and empathetic leader.
We’ve been impressed with Heartland Conservation Alliance, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Please tell us more about your organization. What should we know?
At the core of everything we do is a very clear mission: The Heartland Conservation Alliance works with partners to protect, connect, and restore the Blue River watershed and its urban greenspaces for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
What we do and what we specialize in:
We are the champions of the Blue River watershed, a 40-mile ecological corridor that serves as the “green spine” of the Kansas City metro. While many conservation groups focus on remote wilderness, we specialize in urban conservation. We believe that nature shouldn’t be a destination you have to drive hours to reach; it should be accessible in the neighborhoods where we live, work, and play. We focus on “nature-based solutions”—using tools like native plantings and wetland restoration to manage floodwaters and improve water quality right here in our city.
The Blue River watershed encompasses the eastern portion of Johnson County, Kansas, as well as the western portion of Jackson County, Missouri. Familiar tributaries of the Blue River include Brush Creek, Indian Creek, Tomahawk Creek, Coffee Creek, and Wolf Creek.
What sets us apart:
It’s all in the name: Alliance. We aren’t a single organization working in a vacuum. We act as the “connective tissue” for over 50 partners—ranging from municipal governments and neighborhood associations to other nonprofits and local businesses. Because the Blue River doesn’t care about city or county lines, we ensure that the people managing it don’t work in silos either. We are the bridge-builders who bring everyone to the table to ensure our region’s natural resources are protected for the long haul.
What we are most proud of brand-wise:
I am incredibly proud of our commitment to Equity in Conservation. Historically, many urban greenspaces have been overlooked or neglected. We are working hard to change that narrative by ensuring that the benefits of nature—clean air, cooler temperatures, and recreational spaces—are distributed fairly across the entire watershed.
I’m also very proud of our Blue River Report Card. It’s a data-driven tool we use to track the health of our river. It’s transparent, it’s honest, and it gives the community a clear way to see the impact of our collective work.
What we want your readers to know:
Nature is a shared community asset. Whether you’re interested in volunteering for a cleanup, joining a guided hike, or simply learning more about how to protect the water in your own backyard, there is a place for you in the Alliance. We want every Kansas Citian to feel a sense of pride and ownership over the Blue River. It’s our region’s greatest natural treasure, and it’s up to all of us to ensure it thrives for generations to come.
Check out our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities at https://www.heartlandconservationalliance.org/calendar/
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Think about someone you know personally whom you really admire and who has more experience than you in an area you’re interested in growing in. If you feel they’d be open to grabbing coffee or lunch sometime, go ahead and ask! If they say yes, then you are networking — and might have just found yourself a mentor!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartlandconservationalliance.org/calendar/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandconservationalliance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandConservationAlliance/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heartland-conservation-alliance-inc/?viewAsMember=true
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HCA_KC
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandconservationallia9831
