Pictured: Park Ranger Brian Ettling teaches visitors about Crater Lake National Park.
It’s the lovely month of May, as they say in “Camelot.” Summer unofficially begins on Memorial Day and it’s time to plan that big summer vacation. This year, the focus may be on visiting our national parks, which are in the midst of a century celebration.
Pictured above: Jo Schaper. All photos courtesy Jo Schaper.
Meramec Caverns is closed due to environmental contamination of a substance called TCE, a chemical used in automotive parts manufacturing and cleaning. But how did the popular Missouri show cave become contaminated with TCE in the first place?
Pictured above: Dawn Chapman (Left) and Karen Nickel, co-founders of Just Moms STL.
Dawn Chapman, from the Just Moms STL group, is the guest on this Environmental Echo podcast edition with Don Corrigan.
Chapman shares her thoughts and opinions about several recent issues, including the recent St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, which details expert opinions saying that “fear may be overblown and even misplaced” about the radiation risks in West Lake and Coldwater Creek areas. Also, the online threats to the EPA and other authorities on the Facebook page administered by Chapman and others, which caused the EPA to cancel an appearance at a public meeting.
Corrigan also asks about the outcome of the group’s trip to Washington D.C. visit to the White House, the United Nations, and members of Congress about the West Lake Landfill issues, and what it is like to try and balance family, being a mother, and being thrust into the advocate spotlight.
Turret Arch and North Window are two of the massive stone arches at the Windows Section in Arches National Park. Photo Credit: NPS/Jacob W. Frank.
The National Parks Service celebrates its centennial this year!
Watch for Don Corrigan’s story this month on the National Park Service (NPS) and their 100th Anniversary, and why more and more people are planning summer trips to the parks to celebrate and to take advantage of some deals, both locally and nationally.
The NPS has many opportunities to learn and experience the country’s National Parks during this centennial year. One way to learn is to see what issues the NPS is currently focused on, like the nine parks the NPS says are in peril.
Chris Whitley, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7, shares the latest updates on the remediation efforts at Meramec Caverns. The popular tourist cave closed in March due to elevated contamination levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) vapors.
Pictured: Kim Cella
Kimberly Cella of Affton is always in a multi-modal frame of mind – from a transit standpoint. She thinks about hiking, biking, car-sharing, riding buses or MetroLink practically 24-7.
That may be why Cella, executive director of the Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), was recently selected by her colleagues as the Woman of the Year. The award was presented by the St. Louis chapter of the international WTS, otherwise known as the Women’s Transportation Seminar.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) magazine, the Missouri Conservationist, is going mobile!
” The MDC now offers its award-winning magazine, Missouri Conservationist, through a new free app for mobile devices. Read about research and other happenings with fish, forest, and wildlife in Missouri. Get info on conservation news and events, in-depth articles, and ways to discover nature. Browse captivating wildlife photography and videos. Once downloaded, the app will offer current issues of the magazine to save and read. Get more information and download the new MO CON MAG app for Apple or Android devices HERE. “
Photo Credit: Webster-Kirkwood Times.
In Don Corrigan’s latest column, he talks about Missouri businesses influence on the Missouri legislature in the past year, including the changing business views about the environment.
A new program will mark the 30th anniversary of Forest Park Forever this year – the Artist in Residence Program. The program is designed to “celebrate the anniversary through the creative output of talented artists” chosen to “explore the beauty and inspiring nature of Forest Park and share their new work with the community through public programming.”
A Pollinator Dinner in celebration of National Pollinator Week will be held, Tuesday, June 21, at the St. Louis Zoo in The Living World. Reservations are required by noon on June 9. Find more information below.
Environmental Echo 