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Environmental Journalists: SEJ Covered Clean Air, Water and More At 2026 Chicago Convention

by Don Corrigan

The environmental group, Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) was last in St. Louis in 1996 when it held its 6th Annual Conference at Washington University. The conference included field trips to sites where lead, radiation and dioxin were being addressed.

There was much to learn about hazardous waste contamination in the St. Louis area, and there still is a lot to learn in the Gateway City. However, the 2026 SEJ Conference will be in Chicago and focus on Great Lakes issues.

Thirty years after the Gateway City event, SEJ Is now looking for new environmental communication members and for new program ideas for its Chicago conference.

SEJ membership is open to journalists, public information professionals, professors, students and staff at accredited colleges and universities. New members are welcome and the SEJ benefits for environmental writers are many.

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Posted on January 7, 2026 in Home, Local Events

Improvements Coming to Gravois Greenway/Grant’s Trail: Temporary Closure Planned

Posted on January 4, 2026 | Leave a comment

Saint Louis County Parks and Recreation, in partnership with Great Rivers Greenway, will begin a significant infrastructure improvement project along Gravois Greenway/Grant’s Trail between Officer Blake C. Snyder Memorial Park and Interstate 55. The project includes the replacement of two bridges and repairs to a third, enhancing safety and long-term use of this popular greenway.

To complete the work efficiently and safely, this section of the trail will be closed for approximately 90 days, weather permitting. The closure is expected to begin January 5, 2026, with the goal of reopening by early spring 2026 to minimize disruption for greenway users. Please note this timeline could change due to the weather.

A well-marked detour will be in place throughout the closure, guiding users along alternate park paths and Green Park Road to ensure continued access and connectivity.

“We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete these upgrades to ensure the greenway will remain a safe and enjoyable space for years to come,” said Claire Mueller, Communications Manager at Great Rivers Greenway.

For the most up-to-date information and detour map, please visit greatriversgreenway.org/gravois.

Information from a Saint Louis County press release.

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MDC, Ozark Land Trust Partner To Acquire Key Habitat For Endangered Grotto Sculpin

Photo: MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Ozark Land Trust (OLT) have partnered to acquire an ecologically critical 80-acre tract of land located immediately adjacent to the City of Perryville.

The property — containing eight sinkholes and a key entrance to the biologically rich Moore Cave system — will be restored to natural habitat, benefiting the federally endangered grotto sculpin and other cave fauna.

The grotto sculpin is found only in Perry County and depends on clean, undisturbed cave and karst habitats. The newly protected property contributes directly to the recharge zone that sustains the Moore Cave system’s water quality and ecological function.

“This acquisition will enable the restoration of 80 acres of habitat of great benefit to the grotto sculpin, help protect the Moore Cave system and the diverse wildlife it supports, and provide valuable opportunities to connect people to nature,” said MDC Fisheries Biologist Levi Frazier. “We are thankful for OLT’s willingness to take on ownership and stewardship of this important property and so appreciative of all our partners who made this project possible.”

OLT will begin restoring the former farmland to natural habitat to support both surface and underground species.

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Posted on December 23, 2025 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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St. Louis Audubon Society: Bird of the Week

The St. Louis Audubon Society is a great source to learn about native birds and the fun, interesting, and fascinating hobby of birdwatching.

Learn more about the St. Louis Audubon Society HERE.

ST. LOUIS STATUS OF THE FOX SPARROW: Can be very numerous some days in March and April and again in late October and November, in brushy and semi-wooded habitats as well as urban and suburban parks. In winter, widespread but generally in small numbers. May visit feeders at times.

Learn more and listen to the songs and calls of Fox Sparrows HERE.

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Posted on December 20, 2025 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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Promoting State Nature: Missouri Outdoor Communicators Revving Up For Year 2026

by Don Corrigan

Since 1994, members of Missouri Outdoor Communicators have been telling great nature stories, snapping great photos, as well as just plain promoting the great outdoors. They’ve been making their mark for more than 30 years, and they’re revving up for a great 2026.

“MOC is a group of professional journalists, authors, bloggers, photographers, videographers, biologists, naturalists, companies and communities intent on celebrating all the outdoor adventures that can be enjoyed in Missouri,” said Kyle Stewart, long-time MOC Board Member.
According to Stewart, the mission of MOC is to advance knowledge of natural resources and related recreational pursuits, to improve MOC members’ communications skills, to promote the outdoors, to encourage appropriate use and conservation of natural resources.

Of course, another mission is to attract and to mentor the next generation of outdoor communicators. The need for a new generation to treasure the outdoors and to take up the efforts of MOC is critical.

“MOC is about championing the great outdoors and all its beauty, inspiration, and life lessons,” Stewart said. “It’s about building meaningful professional relationships and lasting personal friendships while fostering healthy communications.

“It’s also about spending time in both familiar and unfamiliar environments and learning new tips and techniques along the way,” he added. “MOC is about protecting and promoting the things that mean the most to us – the natural world and its inhabitants.”

For more information about MOC or joining the group, please call Kyle Stewart at 573-619-3296 or email him: kylewaynestewart@gmail.com. He and other MOC members will gladly assist you.

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Posted on December 18, 2025 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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MEEA Eyes 2026 Projects: Environmental Educators Celebrate Three Decades Of Projects

 

 

by Don Corrigan

Environmental educators in Missouri have been organized for 30 years to promote nature and outdoor education for children. They also have worked to be protectors and caretakers of the environment.

They’ve started many environmental initiatives in their three decades. They’ve seen good times and bad times. These are challenging times, and they concede 2026 may be just a year for holding their ground.

“As caretakers of Missouri’s environment, we have many challenges ahead of us – funding is limited, environmental protection policies and support for education are on shaky ground, and many Missourians are just struggling to make ends meet,” said Jamin Bray.

Bray of Salem, Mo., is co-director of the Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA), along with co-director Lesli Moylan of Kirkwood, Mo. in suburban St. Louis

“So, we intend to be even more strategic, focused and efficient moving forward into 2026,” said Bray. “MEEA will soon have a new 3-year Strategic Plan that will continue to  provide the very best environmental education services possible.”

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Posted on December 14, 2025 in Environment, Home, Outdoor/Nature

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St. Louis Eagle Days

Photo: MDC

Eagle lovers of all ages are invited to the Audubon Center at Riverlands in West Alton on February 7, 2026. No advance registration is required.

Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026 9:00 am – Saturday, February 7, 2026 2:00 pm
Location: Audubon Center at Riverlands

Visitors are welcome to view eagles through spotting scopes staffed by trained volunteers, and explore activities related to bald eagles. The World Bird Sanctuary will be providing live Bald Eagle programs and chances to see Bald Eagles up close throughout the day.

Eagle presentations will be held at: 9:15 AM; 10:00 AM; 10:45 AM; 11:30 AM; 12:30 PM; and 1:15 PM. These eagle presentations have a capacity of 150 people and will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

Did you know the Mississippi River hosts one of North America’s largest concentrations of bald eagles? They are drawn to areas of open water in search of fish, their preferred food. The colder the weather, the better the chances of seeing them fish, ride ice floes, soar overhead and roost in nearby trees!

More information, CLICK HERE.

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Posted on December 7, 2025 in Home, Local Events

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USFWS and MDC to host 46th Annual Eagle Days event Dec. 6 and 7 at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Loess Bluffs. Photo: MDC

Bald eagles migrate southward on the chilly winds of early winter. Dozens or even hundreds typically congregate at the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City where they can feed on fish and waterfowl. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host the 46th annual Eagle Days at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. The World Bird Sanctuary staff will present live eagle shows each hour in a building at the refuge headquarters. Those eagles have been rehabilitated from injuries but will not be able to be released back into the wild.

There will also be interpretive stops along a driving tour of the refuge wetlands. Spotting scopes will be set up at key points along the tour route for visitors to spot wildlife far out on the marshes. Friends of Loess Bluffs and other conservation partners will have outreach tables on display inside the visitor center.

Besides eagles, visitors will be able to see wildlife at wetland pools such as trumpeter swans, geese, ducks, and shore birds. MDC staff, Missouri Master Naturalists, and Loess Bluffs staff will be welcoming visitors and interpreting nature exhibits.

The number of waterfowl and eagles at Loess Bluffs varies with weather being a major factor. Often though, Eagle Days has plentiful wildlife for viewing. Visitors will find cameras and binoculars useful.

For current bird survey numbers and event information about Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zt2.

To learn more about eagles and other Eagle Days events in Missouri, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days.

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Missouri near Mound City. Take Interstate 29 to Exit 79 south of Mound City then travel south 2 ½ miles on U.S. Highway 159.

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Posted on November 23, 2025 in Home, Local Events

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Rush Island Conversion? Ameren Eyes Power Plant Project To Serve ‘Large Load Customers’

by Don Corrigan

Ameren, the energy utility that serves much of eastern Missouri, says it plans to add another gas plant to its electric production portfolio. The announcement is drawing fire from consumer and environmental groups.

The generating facility is planned for the former Rush Island coal plant in Jefferson County. The gas plant would generate approximately 800 MW of fossil-fuel fired electricity.

Ameren has not made the project’s costs available to the public at this point. The company but has stated that it wants the plant for serving “large load customers,” which industry experts say translates into artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

The Missouri Coalition for the Environment (MCE) insists that if the plant is approved by the Public Service Commission, it will lock Missouri into decades of more “dirty” fossil fuel use.

MCE argues that if Ameren wants to serve data centers, the utility must do so with clean, cheap renewable energy, “not asthma-inducing, planet-warming, expensive methane gas or natural gas.”

Environmentalists point out that renewable energy sources would include solar and wind, both of which are cheaper than ever before. Solar and wind are also more reliable when combined with innovations in battery storage techniques.

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Posted on November 23, 2025 in Environment, Home

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Coming Soon …

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Posted on November 23, 2025 in Home