Category Archives: Outdoor/Nature

Image

Bird Watcher Alert! Best Places For Birders Just Got Easier To Find

Courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation

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.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on April 15, 2016 in Outdoor/Nature

Image

Bees Are The Focus For Kirkwood’S Earth Day

Photo by Diana Linsley, Webster-Kirkwood Times.

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.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on April 14, 2016 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

Tagged , ,

Image

California Redwood Dreaming: Local Tree Climber Gets Chance To Help Conduct Research In Redwoods Canopy

P3180132

Pictured: David Slane climbing the Redwoods in California. All photos provided by David Slane.

 

 

 

 

“Redwoods are just amazing,” said Slane. “It was awe-inspiring to be on trees 15 feet in diameter, to be on trees that are 2,500 years old, 500 years before Jesus Christ was on this Earth. I am still mind-boggled by the whole experience.”

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on April 10, 2016 in Outdoor/Nature

Image

It’s April In Missouri – That Means Morel Mushrooms!

Phone Pics 240

By Holly Shanks (2014)

St. Louis native, Don Dill, 88, started studying mushrooms 60-years ago. It started when he and some friends were at the Lake of the Ozarks. He went outside one morning to check their leaky boat tied in the water and discovered an amazing sight. He said he went out the porch door and encountered what looked like a “flower garden.” As far as he could see down to the water was covered with mushrooms.

“I never saw so many. They were all kinds, different colors and shapes,” Dill said. “Boy, I decided right then I wanted to know more about those things because they were so interesting.”

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted on April 5, 2016 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

Tagged , ,

Image

It’s Spring! Let’s Get Started In The Veggie Garden!

Pictured above: Jennifer Schamber.

What’s the best way to start a garden from scratch? Wondering what type of tomato to plant? How can you garden on a budget with success? Well, Environmental Echo has some answers to those questions.

Jennifer Schamber, the general manager of Greenscape Gardens, gives gardening advice and tips in this informative podcast. She talks about a variety of interesting gardening topics, including the importance of soil type, the place to find free plastic pots, the tried and true collection of veggies from Gateway Greening’s Perfect Picks, and even why many grocery store tomatoes don’t have that great homegrown tomato taste.

Schamber also explains how St. Louis is at the forefront and a leader in the awareness of issues facing pollinators, like bees and the Monarch butterfly.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on March 27, 2016 in Outdoor/Nature

Image

Children’s Garden Club Gets Hands On With Nature

image012

Photos courtesy Doug Wolter.

“Gardening helps kids build self-esteem, teaches them to respect the environment and it teaches them about the science of plants,” said Doug Wolter,  longtime horticulturist with St. Louis County Parks & Recreation Department. “Better still, it’s an inexpensive hobby and just outside your back door.”

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted on March 20, 2016 in Home, Outdoor/Nature, Podcasts

Image

The River Will Rise Again: Discussions Held About Future Flooding Events

Photo of flooding at 141 at I-44, courtesy of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Photo of flooding at 141 at I-44, courtesy of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The December 2015 record-breaking flooding was the topic discussed by Lower Meramec River government agencies and other interested parties at a public meeting held recently.

One issue highlighted was the new high water marks established at Pacific, Eureka, and Valley Park.

Continue reading →

3 Comments

Posted on March 18, 2016 in Outdoor/Nature

Image

Missouri’s State Parks Highlighted In New Book

1-StateParks-COVER.indd “Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites: Exploring Our Legacy,” is an updated comprehensive guide to each of Missouri’s State Parks unique opportunities to enjoy the State’s outdoor spaces.

Susan Flader, Ph.D., talks to Don Corrigan about the new State Parks added to the book, the 100th Anniversary of the parks system, and several surprising facts and issues surrounding Missouri’s State Parks.

 

Susan Flader, the editor of the new book, is a Professor Emerita at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has spent her career teaching and writing about the environment and Missouri history. She has authored numerous articles and books and is also active in the leadership of many environmental and outdoor boards and committees.

To hear the interview continue reading below.

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted on March 13, 2016 in Home, Outdoor/Nature, Podcasts

Image

MDC 2016 Holiday Closing Schedule

Nature Stock Photo

Nature Stock Photo

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) 2016 holiday closing schedule for their offices, nature centers, and staffed shooting ranges is available. “Trails and other outdoor offerings at MDC nature centers and interpretative centers are still available for public use on most days the facilities are closed.”

Continue reading below for more information and a list of dates from the MDC.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on February 12, 2016 in Outdoor/Nature

Tagged ,

Image

Challenges Facing The Missouri Deer Population

Deer hoof print in the snow. Photo by Holly Shanks.

Deer hoof print in the snow. Photo by Holly Shanks.

John Vogel, Missouri Department of Conservation’s Wildlife Regional Supervisor for the St. Louis area, talks to Environmental Echo about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), changes to the upcoming deer hunting season regulations and other issues affecting Missouri’s deer population.

 

 

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on January 27, 2016 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

Tagged , , ,