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The First Secret City: Documentary Film Explores Harmful Legacy Of Nuclear Waste In STL

Pictured: C.D. Stelzer.

Pictured: C.D. Stelzer.

C.D. Stelzer, a local investigative journalist, has spent years following and reporting on nuclear waste issues in the St. Louis area.

Stelzer spent five years creating, “The First Secret City,”  a documentary film that tells the story of St. Louis’ radioactive history and the resulting harmful legacy.

In Don Corrigan’s latest podcast, he talks with Stelzer about the documentary film, the effort it took for Stelzer and project partner to create the film, and the continuing issues with nuclear waste contamination at the Westlake Landfill and Coldwater Creek areas.

A screening of the film is planned for September 14, 2016, at UMSL’s Gallery 210. (find screening information below.)

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Posted on September 3, 2016 in Home, Local Events, Podcasts

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DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS WITH A CAMPOUT IN FOREST PARK

Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.

Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.

Discover camping and outdoor skills in St. Louis’ Forest Park. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and other partners have joined to offer an affordable way for families to discover the outdoors.

 

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Posted on September 1, 2016 in Home, Local Events

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Celebrate Our Prairie Heritage At Shaw Nature Reserve September 17th

Photo by Holly Shanks

Photo by Holly Shanks

Prairie Day is a family-friendly celebration of the nature and culture of our grassland heritage.  Shaw Nature Reserve’s 250-acre restored prairie is the backdrop for a day of fun and educational activities for the whole family where visitors can relive the days of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

The biennial event is Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is located at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit. (directions are listed below)  The event is presented by the Missouri Department of Conservation and Shaw Nature Reserve.

Advanced reservation is not required. The Shaw Nature Reserve admission fee is $6 for adults, $2 for children (ages 15 and under) and $3 for Missouri Botanical Garden members. For more information CLICK HERE or call 636-451-3512.

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Posted on August 28, 2016 in Home, Local Events

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Was The Valley Park Levee Built Too High?

 

FB 3 Levee

Local environmentalists say there are more sewage spills, property damage and flood cleanups in our future because of construction in floodplains, loss of wetlands and new levees. They say the Valley Park levee was built anywhere from five to eight feet higher than authorized and is the culprit in unprecedented flooding along the Meramec River in late 2015 and 2016 in Kirkwood, Sunset Hills, Fenton and farther downstream.

And now, after hiring a civil engineering firm to take measurements of the levee, they say they have proof that the levee was build beyond authorized specifications. They are sharing the latest findings about the levee with city officials and property owners who sustained flood damage, but say it is too early to speculate on what legal actions might result with the latest findings showing the levee height exceeds authorized levels.
Be sure to listen to a podcast interview from January of this year with Bob Criss at the end of this article. He explains why the continued development and levee construction could make flooding worse in the coming years.

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Posted on August 18, 2016 in Environment, Home

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GARDENING IN THE SUMMER HEAT – TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Pictured above: Jennifer Schamber.

Pictured above: Jennifer Schamber.

It’s hot, and it’s sticky outside – Welcome to summer in St. Louis! Do you have a garden wilting in the heat? If so, we’ve got some tips to help your garden continue producing well into the fall months.

Jennifer Schamber, the general manager of Greenscape Gardens, shares how to protect your garden in the hot St. Louis summer weather. Also, don’t miss this Saturday’s Project Pollinator event, which is part of the St. Louis County Parks Children’s Garden Club.

The event starts at 9 a.m., this Saturday, August 6, 2016, located at 2832 Barrett Station Rd., and Greenscape Gardens will have games and learning sessions for the entire family. Learn more about the event on Greenscape Gardens Meetup page HERE.

Schamber gives all the details for Saturday’s event during the informative interview with Environmental Echo!

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Posted on August 4, 2016 in Home, Podcasts

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Update: A Fix For The Asian Carp Invasion?

On the Illinois River summer 2012. Photo by Jill Moon/The Telegraph, Alton, IL

On the Illinois River summer 2012. Photo by Jill Moon/The Telegraph, Alton, IL

Many news outlets are reporting that the Alligator Gar are being reintroduced into rivers and other waterways and may be an answer to the Asain Carp invasion.

The Asian carp, which are taking over waterways in the Midwest and smothering out native species, are a food source for the gar.

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Posted on August 1, 2016 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

Ameren And Sierra Club Reach $2 Million Settlement

Posted on July 26, 2016 | Leave a comment

hand-1030565_1920Ameren reaches a settlement agreement with the Sierra Club over numerous “alleged violations” to the environment. The settlement requires Ameren to “establish a $2 million fund for environmentally beneficial projects.”

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Preserving The Crown Jewel Of St. Louis – Forest Park

Nature program at Forest Park Forever are teaching the kids about wildlife and sustainable nature practices. Photo courtesy Forest Park Forever/Cassi Lundeen.

Nature programs at Forest Park utilize the park’s many unique natural areas to help teach kids about wildlife and sustainable nature practices. Photo courtesy Forest Park Forever/Cassi Lundeen.

By Don Corrigan (West End Word)

Did you get a cupcake? I didn’t either, but it was my fault for showing up late at Forest Park’s 140th birthday party celebration. I promise to be on time for the sesquicentennial birthday slated for June 24, 2026.

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Posted on July 14, 2016 in Environment, Home

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Celebrating Our National Parks: It’s All About Trees At These Nine National Parks

Photo credit: National Park Service.

Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Photo credit: National Park Service.

The National Park Service celebrates its centennial this year! Here is another look at some interesting facts inside our National Parks.

These nine parks will spark a love for trees, according to the National Parks Conservation Association!

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Posted on July 11, 2016 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

Dramatic Decline In Insect Populations Focus Of Recent Studies

Posted on July 8, 2016 | Leave a comment
Photo by Diana Linsley, Webster-Kirkwood Times.

Photo by Diana Linsley, Webster-Kirkwood Times.

Carl’s Climate Letter #695 has an interesting insight about the loss of insects around the world. Carl gives his analysis of the information and studies overviewed in an “Environment 360” article.

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