Photo by Holly Shanks
Looking for a fun way to experience the “Green” areas in St. Louis? Check out the tour itineraries from Explore St. Louis!
Garden Tour itinerary – Find your “green” in St. Louis’ family fun tour of the gardens and revered parks! CLICK HERE.
Environmentally Friendly itinerary – Celebrate St. Louis’ green and environmentally friendly attractions! CLICK HERE.
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Class presented by Seed St. Louis:
Some fruiting plants benefit from pruning in the summer time. Sign up for a virtual class to learn how to manage and maintain these summertime fruiting plants to help produce yummy yields for years to come.
This class is for adults and registration is required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. A recording of the virtual program will be posted to YouTube within three business days.
To register CLICK HERE.
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Columbia Bottom staff has planted additional sunflower fields for viewing and photo opportunities again this year. MDC crews have staggered the timing of the plantings to spread the blooming periods out through mid-August. Photo: MDC
The 4th of July brings spectacular aerial fireworks shows. However, this time of year nature also puts on its own explosive displays of color. Sunflower fans will have the opportunity again this summer to view and photograph remarkable sunflower displays at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake. Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff has planted multiple sunflower plots again this year.
Showy sunflower fields have been an annual tradition at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. MDC staff have been planting sunflowers for years as part of their management for mourning doves. The area is known for dove hunting each September. The large flowers supply seeds that entice the birds, and their lofty stalks create cover for the hunters who pursue them. Sunflowers also benefit a wide variety of other birds and pollinators. They lure plenty of photographers, too.
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Members of the Loess Hills Master Naturalists work on a tree planting project along Highway 36 from St. Joseph to Hannibal. Photo: MDC
Protecting Missouri’s natural resources is an ongoing and challenging task. The challenge is made easier when private citizen groups can coordinate efforts with state agencies to provide education, outreach information, and services. That’s the idea behind Missouri’s Master Naturalist program.
The Meramec Hills Master Naturalist Chapter will hold a Master Naturalist informational meeting from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 3 at the Rolla Technical Institute (RTI) Building, Classroom 121. The RTI Building is located at 1304 E. 10th St. in Rolla.
The Missouri Master Naturalist program mixes science with service. Master Naturalists engage Missourians in stewardship of the state’s natural resources through science-based education and volunteer community service. The program is a partnership between MDC and the University of Missouri Extension.
The Aug. 3 meeting will have information on the program and on the Master Naturalist training course that will be held on Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. from Aug. 31 through Nov. 9. Some scholarship opportunities are available.
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May 30 incident, a 19-year-old was standing on the banks of the river at Castlewood when he slipped into the Meramec at mid-afternoon. He was underwater for 10 minutes before two men were able to find him in the river and pull him out.
He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. This area has experienced an unusually high number of drownings. The surface of the water often may look calm, but there are strong currents and undertows just below.
Charlie Woodruff, a 22-year-old Webster University student, knows the Castlewood Park area well. The bluffs along the river offer excellent views. Trails above the river offer pretty walks past the ruins of a 1950s’ resort area.
Hikes on trails along the river offer nature rewards as well, but Charlie Woodruff says the park’s reputation for bucolic trails and natural beauty is being ruined and overwhelmed by the sheer number of fatalities among those who decide to take a dip in the Meramec River.
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Stars and Fireflies – Photo courtesy MDC.
Enjoy an evening of insects, stargazing, music, and more at August A. Busch Conservation Area after dark on July 23, 2022!
This program highlights the interesting world of moths and other night-flying insects, in celebration of National Moth Week.
Activities will include black light sheet insect ID by the Sofia M. Sachs Butterfly House staff, information from the International Dark-Sky Association, telescope stargazing, and a special musical performance by the Eco Tones. Bring the whole family and discover nature after dark!
This is a no registration, all-ages event, but please visit our information table to check-in and for a free sweet and cold treat. It is STRONGLY encouraged that you bring a flashlight or headlamp as lights on the area will be out.
No Registration Required
Date: Saturday, July 23, 2022
Time: 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial Conservation Area
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By Don Corrigan
Traveling Mid-Missouri, even for a day, can bring a lot of pleasant surprises. My day (Saturday, June 4) started at Fox Hollow, just west of Ashland. It went from there to festivities at Cooper’s Landing, then to the Rocheport trailhead for a bike ride on the Katy to McBaine and back.
Fox Hollow – was the site of the Rural Land Stewardship Field Day. In addition to viewing on-site land preservation projects, visitors enjoyed exhibits, professional advice and takeaway information at five staffed, clustered resource stations on forest issues, wildlife preservation and organic food.
In addition to viewing on-site, in-progress land stewardship projects, I experienced nature exhibits; took in some professional nature advice; and gathered takeaway information at five staffed, clustered resource stations.
I most enjoyed the wildlife at Fox Hollow and the animals’ ability to get along when human beings seem to be having a hard time with peaceful co-existence in these times. I also enjoyed a long conversation with state Rep. Bruce Sassman and his efforts on behalf of the proposed Rock Island Trail and in advocating for his Legends of Conservation. The legends exhibit honors American leaders in the conservation movement.
Finally, I loved seeing the dozens of goats at Fox Hollow. They were busy eating massive quantities of invasive species. Also, it was interesting to learn all about them from the good folks with GOATS ON THE GO.
Cooper’s Landing – Next stop was Cooper’s Landing sandwiched between the Missouri River and the Katy Trail. Several hundred people were enjoying the BBQ, the drinks and the music of some kind of new wave Ozark music.
By Patrick Fleming
I recently asked a college professor friend what his students are like today. His answer was disturbing, “They are all depressed and hopeless.”
There is growing concern about the effect that global warming is having on our mental and even spiritual health. Studies are showing higher levels of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness in the general population, especially among young people. Research published in the Lancet, interviewed 10,000 people, 16-25, in 10 countries.
Researchers found “a startlingly high rate of pessimism:” 45% worry about climate disasters affecting their daily life; 75% say the future is frightening; 56% agree with the statement, “Humanity is doomed;” 40% report being hesitant to have children, not wanting to bring children into a hotter, harsher world.
Here are 7 ways to maintain your mental and spiritual health as our planet heats up. In short, these practices help you to keep your brain cool, your heart warm, and set your soul on fire.
Join team members at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park in welcoming the World Bird Sanctuary for a special Father’s Day program at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 19.
The World Bird Sanctuary will showcase creatures of myth and legend. Guests are invited to bring their own myth and legend – their father – to celebrate the special day. Participants will meet at the Henry Babler Enclosed Shelter at the Guy Park Trailhead. Signs will direct guests from there.
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is located at 800 Guy Park Drive in Wildwood, west of St. Louis.
For more information, please call 636-458-3813.
Environmental Echo 