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.
Category Archives: Outdoor/Nature
ImageEPA Updates Contamination Clean Up Efforts At Meramec Caverns
Missouri Conservationist Goes Mobile
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. “
Forest Park Forever Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Artist In Residence Program
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.”
Using Outdoor Recreation To Build Veterans’ Confidence
Learning the basics of kayaking in the medical center’s swimming pool at Jefferson Barracks. Photo Credit: Ursula Ruhl, Webster-Kirkwood Times.
Veterans of all shapes and sizes churned up swimming pool water with their double-bladed kayak paddles on a recent Tuesday. The paddling vets in the recreational therapy program at Jefferson Barracks were preparing for a big kayak trip in Arkansas.
Discover Nature Schools Science Fair Winners Announced
Photo Credit: Missouri Department of Conservation
The 2016 Discover Nature Schools Science Fair gives Missouri’s K-12 students a chance to get hands-on while learning about nature.
This year’s winners of the program have been announced. The four school winners are Hurley Elementary, Matthew Cook of Lincoln R2 Elementary, Amaya Marion of St. James, and Oakville High School. Read about what the winning projects were below.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, Oh My!
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. Photo by Ursula Ruhl, Webster -Kirkwood Times.
By Don Corrigan (South County Times)
The Weber Road Branch of St. Louis County Library was all abuzz with an “A-MAZE-ing Cockroaches” show this past Monday evening. Actually, there was less buzzing and lot more hissing at the creepy-crawly event.
CALLING ALL FROG WATCHERS!
By Don Corrigan (Webster-Kirkwood Times)
When I was a boy, frogs and toads got a bad rap. I was told they give you warts. Toads would pee on you if you picked them up. Frogs were linked to being French. Moses threatened a plague of frogs on a pharaoh in Egypt.
Grow Native! Taking Pollinator Programs To The Next Level
Sigh showcasing the Grow Native! program at the Kirkwood Earth Day Festival.
Grow Native! – is a one of a kind program that began right here in Missouri. The program is a native plant marketing and education program of the Missouri Prairie Foundation.
Bill Ruppert, a local gardening and conservation expert, shares his insight into the diverse Grow Native! program on the informative podcast found below. Many organizations are mentioned in the podcast with either being associated with the Grow Native! program or that Ruppert is affiliated with like, the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, Missouri Department of Conservation, Shaw Nature Reserve, the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Missourians for Monarchs, Gateway Greening, Mayor Slay’s milkweed program, and more.
Ruppert also gives a look at the new St. Louis Science Center’s new exhibit opening this summer, “GROW” and how the Annual Kirkwood Earth Day got its start.
Bird Watcher Alert! Best Places For Birders Just Got Easier To Find
Courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
A new super-highway of information has become available for bird watching enthusiast.
The beginner, hobbyist, and serious birders can all find something to interest them on a new website, the Great Missouri Birding Trail.
The founder is Mike Doyen, the president of the Missouri Bird Conservation Foundation. The new website offers birding trail maps for different regions of Missouri, including St. Louis. Also, birding resources including, helpful tips, equipment, identification basics, habitat information, and organizations and opportunities on how to become involved with bird conservation efforts.
Bees Are The Focus For Kirkwood’S Earth Day
Photo by Diana Linsley, Webster-Kirkwood Times.
By Don Corrigan ( Webster-Kirkwood Times)
Experts from more than 20 green organizations will be ready to tell you about the “birds and the bees, and the flowers and the trees,” at Kirkwood’s 7th annual Earth Day on Apri1 16.
Most activities will be focused in the Farmer’s Market Greenway area, although an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony across from the city’s train station will get things started at 9 a.m. Kirkwood in Bloom will contribute a landscape-sized Wildfire black tupelo tree for the occasion.
Read more about the honey bees struggle and Kirkwood’s Earth Day below. Also, hear Bill Ruppert share what you’ll find at the event.
Environmental Echo 