Our vision
A mutual economy of sufficiency,
operating within ecological limits.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sustainability Action Network is holding a workshop on Urban Wildfire Mitigation, in anticipation of a hot, dry Summer. With drought conditions becoming more widespread, wildfire risk is increasing in Kansas as much as anywhere. The workshop focus will be what’s known as the wildland–urban interface (WUI), where the natural environment and the built environment intermix. In this zone, wildfires can rapidly engulf subdivisions and even towns.
The presenter will be Shawna Hartman, a Wildfire Prevention Specialist with the Kansas Forest Service. She has served there since 2005, including many years as a Public Information Officer with regional Incident Management Teams. She holds a degree in Forestry, with a minor in Range Management, from Oklahoma State University.
Her career has taken her across the United States, where she has collaborated with state and federal natural resource agencies, gaining a broad and comprehensive understanding of wildfire and resource management.
The workshop will cover home defensible zones, fire resistant building materials, landscape materials & spacing, outdoor water source and hose, household preparedness plan, community readiness plan, and more.
Our climate is changing, and the time to prepare for such a catastrophic contingency is today, not some far-off someday.
Come join us June 4th!
2025 Electric Vehicle Show
►The 2025 Lawrence Electric Vehicle Showcase marked our 7th annual event and the second year held along the closed-off section of Massachusetts St. next to South Park. The downtown location once again created a lively setting for exploring the future of transportation.
This year we had 68 registered electric vehicles, a 9% increase over last year and the most in our seven-year history. Despite attendance being down about 50% from 2024’s record crowd—mainly due to competing events in the Lawrence and Kansas City area—the turnout remained strong and enthusiastic. By official National Drive Electric Week statistics, the Lawrence Showcase ranked #8 in the nation by number of registered attendees!
We also gained a new national corporate sponsor, Panasonic Energy, which helped expand both our promotion and community outreach. Four local car dealers, three solar installers, and two bicycle shops displayed electric vehicle products at the show. About two dozen E-bicycles, along with an electric motorcycle and a cargo bike, rounded out the displays.
A highlight this year was Kansas City’s Mind Drive program, which brought a beautifully restored 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia converted to electric power. Other notable vehicles included a gorgeous Lucid Air, Jaguar I-Pace, Fisker Ocean, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6, Rivian R1S and R1T, Tesla Model Y (Juniper) and Cybertruck, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Chevrolet Bolt, along with several creative EV conversions including a 1962 Mercury Comet station wagon.
The University of Kansas School of Engineering returned for the second year, presenting on how batteries work, how autonomous EVs can improve traffic flow, and KU research into battery recycling practices.
We again partnered with the City of Lawrence, represented by the Sustainability Office, Parks & Recreation Department, Lawrence Transit, Municipal Services and Operations, and the MeQ Agency.
Even with lower attendance, this year’s Showcase broke records for participation, expanded our sponsorship base, and reinforced Lawrence’s reputation as one of the top electric vehicle events in the country.
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General Meetings – 4th Tuesday of the month – Next General Meeting is March 31, 2026 @ 6:30PM – Panera, 520 W 23rd St, Lawrence, KS 66046. Also by Zoom.
