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Image ImageAre Squirrels Our Friends or Our Foes? Your Thoughts?
Photo by Ursula Ruhl.
Survey research by Don Corrigan released in his July 12 Webster-Kirkwood Times column, “Squirrels: Friends Or Foes?” reveals that almost 70% of survey respondents think squirrels are our friends. Of note, all these people relate to mass-mediated squirrels. They are infatuated with Rocket J. Squirrel, Rally Squirrel, Squirrel Nutkin and Surly the Squirrel from the movie, The Nut Job.
Here are some research results not covered in the column: More the 70% of respondents believe that squirrels will be thriving on our Earth long after human beings have vanished from the planet.
Climate change is causing some squirrels to give birth earlier, to migrate north, to move to different elevations in mountain areas. Should humans bear any responsibility for the disruption of the habitat for squirrels? Are squirrels better equipped than humans to deal with such disruption? Respondents were mostly undecided on these two questions.
If you would like to give your two cents on the issue of whether squirrels are our friends or our foes, please leave a comment on this post below. (At the end of this post.)
If you would like to complete a squirrel research survey, open and/or print the following attachment. You can either send your answers via email to corrigan@timesnewspapers.com or mail the completed survey form attention to Don Corrigan at 122 W. Lockwood Ave., 2nd floor, Webster Groves, Mo 63119.
See the Calendar of Squirrel events for the month of July below. Squirrel research surveys will also be distributed to audiences attending the events.
Felix Valle State Historic Site hosts Colonial Chocolate-Making demonstration June 29
Experience the sights and scents of colonial chocolate-making at Felix Valle House State Historic Site from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 29. Discover the art of chocolate making, from its Mayan roots to the French innovations of the 19th century. Visitors will observe each step of the process from cacao pod to flavored chocolate. Join us for this fun-filled program on chocolate!
Help The Saint Louis Zoo – Drink More Beer!
Care about conservation? Care about the Saint Louis Zoo? If the answer is yes, then here is how you can help – DRINK MORE BEER!
The Saint Louis Zoo and Urban Chestnut Brewing Company have teamed up to create a new beer, Grizzly Ridge Kölsch, and $3 will be donated to the Zoo for every case sold.
Read more about the new beer and the collaboration from the Saint Louis Zoo below.
Invasive Callery/Bradford Pear BuyBack Planned For April 26!
Photo: Forest ReLeaf of Missouri
Supply a photo of yourself (Selfie) with a cut-down callery pear tree (also known as a Bradford Pear) and receive a FREE native tree. Forest ReLeaf of Missouri in partnership with the Missouri Prairie Foundation will be hosting a buy back program on April 26 as part of the #NoInvasivesPlantNatives campaign.
Read more from Forest Releaf of Missouri below.
Posted in Home
Corrigan Goes To Washington!
Pictured: Don Corrigan
Don Corrigan, professor of journalism and mass communications at Webster University, will be in Washington, D.C., April 18, for the debut of his new book, “Nuts About Squirrels: The Rodents Who Captured Popular Culture.” The squirrel offering will be hosted by McFarland Publishing at the annual convention of the Popular Culture Association.
Corrigan’s nutty squirrel squib covers how the furry critters are portrayed in books, newspapers, TV news, movies, comics, video games and more. Corrigan uses squirrels in his media courses to illustrate the ideas of Marshall McLuhan, the late media guru who once taught at St. Louis University. Corrigan will start his St. Louis book tour at Webster and Kirkwood public libraries at 7 p.m. on April 30 & May 7, followed by more signings in the St. Charles County and Jefferson County library systems.
Local TV Stations Fox 2 and KPLR-11 Win MDC Award
MDC Outreach and Education Chief Shawn Gruber (right) presents Fox 2/KPLR-11 Midday News Producer Peggy Dierssen with the 2018 MDC Statewide Outreach and Education External Partnership Award. The two TV stations have been providing exemplary communications and outreach support to MDC for 10 years. Photo: MDC
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) awarded two local TV stations with the 2018 Outreach and Education External Partnership Award.
Communication, public outreach, and education have always been a top priority for the MDC. Conserving fish, forest and wildlife resources requires public appreciation and support. Each year, MDC’s Outreach and Education Division recognizes one external partner in Missouri for their significant contributions to conservation outreach that benefit the community, MDC, and Missouri citizens.
The Fox 2 KTVI and KPLR-11 television stations in St. Louis were selected to receive the statewide 2018 Outreach and Education External Partnership Award by MDC for their outstanding public service efforts and exemplary support of conservation for the last 10 years.
Read more from the MDC information release below.
Missouri Sierra Club: MO Department of Natural Resources denies extension on coal ash rule comment period
Missouri Sierra Club released a statement related to the coal ash waste rule comment period and proposed regulations.
Excerpt from the release: “It is already plain that the rules are designed to protect utilities’ bottom lines rather than the interest of the public, including people who rely on groundwater for drinking water and agriculture. It is also plain that the utilities played a role in drafting these rules,” said Maxine Lipeles of Washington University Interdisciplinary Environmental Law Clinic. “It is necessary to review the full record to see how extensive that role was.”
See the full release below.
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MDC Marks 50th Anniversary With Year Long Celebration of St. Louis’ Urban Fishing Program
Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.
Read the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) story of how the Urban Fishing Program (UFP) began and how the positive influence of the outdoors was a resounding success in our urban communities.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the MDC Urban Fishing Program. MDC plans to spend 2019 celebrating and invites metro area anglers to join in.
The UFP was originally initiated in 1969 by the federal government during a time when civil unrest was causing tensions in many cities across the country. Their goal was to bring close-to-home fishing to people and infuse a positive influence into urban communities. The program launched in six cities, including St. Louis with the cooperation of MDC and the St. Louis Parks and Recreation Department. It was a resounding success in the Gateway City. MDC took over the UFP in 1972 and eventually expanded it into St. Louis County and Kansas City.
City of St. Louis Could Build on Previous Healthy Food Access Legislation, MCE
Missouri Coalition for the Environment (MCE) released information about a local bill that would help regional farmers bring fresh food to the areas of St. Louis that need it most. MCE, an advocacy group, helps to bring awareness to Missouri’s environmental issues, including local access to fresh and affordable locally grown foods.
Please take a look at the latest updates below from MCE. Also, check out their website for informative information about local environmental issues.
