photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A new mural, researched and painted by Girl Scout Troop 2856, was officially unveiled Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, behind the 800 block of Massachusetts Street.

A dull and dingy wall in downtown Lawrence is now colorful and inviting, thanks to local Girl Scouts who spent a good part of the past year planning and painting a mural at the site.

Troop 2856 gathered Sunday to officially unveil their contribution to Lawrence’s cityscape: a large wall painting depicting a number of Kansas animals that are, or could become, vulnerable or endangered.

photo by: Sylas May/File Photo

The wall of Ad Astra Running before the mural painted by the Girl Scouts of Troop 2856, in the 800 block of Massachusetts Street.

photo by: Girl Scout Troop 2856 leaders

Girl Scouts from Troop 2856 work on their mural behind the 800 block of Massachusetts Street.

photo by: Girl Scout Troop 2856 Leaders

Girl Scouts from Troop 2856 work on their mural behind the 800 block of Massachusetts Street.

Titled “Endangered, Not Forgotten,” the mural, located in a small pollinator garden behind the 800 block of Massachusetts Street between Kizer Cummings Jewelers and Ad Astra Running, features flying critters like the least tern, whooping crane, great blue heron, monarch butterfly, gray bat and rusty patched bumblebee cavorting with terrestrial and aquatic animals like the black footed ferret, river otter, cave salamander, Topeka shiner and others.

A plaque to the right of the mural lists all the animals pictured and the names of the 18 Girl Scouts who created the artwork. It also credits Rick Wright, the Van Go art director who helped the girls design and execute the mural.

“It is our hope that this mural will inspire people to learn more about these animals and protect them for future generations to enjoy,” the plaque says.

The mural involved much more than just painting, troop co-leaders Meryl Carver-Allmond, Anna Landis and Sherri Whightsil said. It originated as an idea for the troop’s Bronze Award project, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn. A Bronze project must be community oriented and intended to make the world a better place.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Co-leaders of Girl Scout Troop 2856, from left, Meryl Carver-Allmond, Sherri Whightsil and Anna Landis, are pictured Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, unveiling the troop’s mural behind the 800 block of Massachusetts Street.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Van Go Art Director Rick Wright is pictured in front of the mural, which was researched and painted by Girl Scout Troop 2856, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, behind the 800 block of Massachusetts Street.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A crowd assembles Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, behind the 800 block of Massachusetts Street to see the official unveiling of the mural painted by Girl Scout Troop 2856.

The troop proposed their idea to the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission back in April, and it was approved by the City Commission. The project involved researching the animals, visiting the Baker Wetlands and other habitats, checking out various murals around Lawrence to learn about the artistic process and raising around $2,000 for supplies.

On Sunday, the girls’ parents proudly snapped photos of the young artists/environmentalists in front of their completed project as Carver-Allmond dedicated the mural and praised the scouts’ hard work.

Landis said she was a bit nervous, like many a mom would be, when the kids broke out the paint and started going to town on the white wall, but she relaxed as the animals started vividly coming to life, brightening up the space as well as the girls’ faces — and hopefully inspiring lots of smiles in passersby for years to come.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Girl Scout Troop 2856 poses with their mural Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, behind the 800 block of Massachusetts Street. Van Go Art Director Rick Wright is at right.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A plaque next to the mural names the animals it depicts and the Girl Scouts who created it.