Environmental Echo

Photo: MDC

What’s the next best thing to experiencing an adventure in person?  Experiencing it live as it happens through modern, live stream technology.  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is providing the opportunity for anyone to follow Missouri cave explorers virtually in real time using their computer or mobile device as the group prepares for a subterranean trek.

MDC will hold an Introduction to Caves and Caving virtual program Tuesday, June 15 from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  The event is free and open to all ages.  This is a hybrid event, where 10 pre-scheduled participants will embark on a caving journey, while a virtual audience can follow along as they start their trip.

The event begins with an educational, in-classroom presentation that will cover many aspects of Missouri’s caves.  Participants will learn about these unusual habitats, the life forms that live there, and why we need to protect this unique ecosystem.

“Missouri is known as the Cave State.  It consists of over 7,500 natural caves and some contain unique animal life found nowhere else on earth, such as the Tumbling Creek cavesnail,” said MDC Naturalist, Shelly Colatskie.

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Photo: MDC

Ask people what they feel the most amazing animal on Earth is, and many well tell you—birds.  Humans have long been captivated by their seemingly magical ability to fly freely through the sky.  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is teaming up with the World Bird Sanctuary (WBS) to present three free in-person World of Wings events in June to help participants learn more about these fascinating feathered creatures.

The World of Wings events will take place Sunday, June 6, at 11 a.m.; Friday, June 18 at 3 p.m.; and Sunday, June 27 at 3 p.m.  Each presentation is open for ages 5 and up and will be conducted at the World Bird Sanctuary’s outdoor amphitheater, located at 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road in Valley Park.

Participants will have the opportunity to see live hawks, eagles, owls, vultures and more up close and in person.  WBS naturalists will share their experiences and expertise about the special traits, habits, and unique adaptations these birds possess.  Learn about where birds live, what they eat, how they reproduce, and what sounds they make.  Whether it’s flying, flapping, hopping, skipping, or singing, guests will discover how and why birds do it. They’ll also find out the many ways birds impact the world, from our daily lives to the entire ecosystems.

These programs are made possible by an education cooperative agreement between MDC and the World Bird Sanctuary and are free to attend.  For over 40 years, the World Bird Sanctuary has helped restore the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and American barn owl from near extinction.  They strive to support birds through education, conservation, and rehabilitation.

The World of Wings programs are free, but space is limited, and advanced online registration is required using the following links:

• Sunday June 6, 11 a.m.-noon: https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZKn
• Friday June 18, 3-4 p.m.: https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZKh
• Sunday June 27, 3-4 p.m.: https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZK7

Participants are reminded to dress for the weather as the program will be held outdoors.  For the safety of participants and our staff, MDC asks all guests to observe social distancing guidelines and maintain at least six feet from others.  Bringing and wearing face coverings are encouraged when indoors, or any time visitors are unable to maintain at least six feet from others.

MDC offers many free educational programs in the St. Louis region to help people discover nature, fishing, hunting, and the outdoors.  Stay informed by going to the MDC St. Louis reginal events page at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZP6.

Photo: MDC

It seems bears are getting around lately.  Bear sightings in several counties in the St. Louis region, and one even making rounds recently in Webster Groves, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood, show that Missouri’s largest mammals aren’t just confined to the deep Ozarks anymore.

Given that appearances by bears are becoming more common each year, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wildlife biologists anticipate that they will only increase with time as Missouri’s bear population continues to grow.  This makes learning about bears more relevant than ever.

MDC is offering a virtual Bear Aware program Wednesday, June 2, from 6:30-8 p.m. to help participants become more acquainted with these remarkable animals.  The event is open to all ages.

Black bears are Missouri’s biggest omnivore and are making a comeback in our state. Join MDC naturalists as they offer practical tips and measures that will help homeowners, hikers, and campers share bear country with bears safely.

“We will talk about how to prevent attracting bears to your home and how to avoid bear conflicts while camping,” said MDC Naturalist Nicki Wheaton.  Wheaton also said that the program will delve into the lives and natural history of bears and will take a look at the first ever Missouri black bear hunting season coming this fall.

Bear Aware is a free program; however, advanced online registration is required at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zrp. This is a virtual event through WebEx. Participants will receive an email invitation from Nichole.wheaton@mdc.mo.gov with the link approximately 24 hours prior to the event. Please check junk mail/spam folders if you do not receive the invitation.

MDC offers many free educational programs in the St. Louis region to help people discover nature, fishing, hunting, and the outdoors.  Stay informed by going to the MDC St. Louis regional events page at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZP6.

The Missouri Prairie Foundation® invites all to recognize and celebrate prairies in Missouri and throughout the nation on National Prairie Day. Learn about and enjoy Missouri Prairie Foundation prairies at several free events planned for this special day.

Prairie is a defining landscape of the United States. From the prairies of the Great Plains and Midwest to the glades, coastal grasslands, and other related communities throughout the country, grasslands have benefited Americans in countless ways.

Today, our native grassland legacy has been dramatically reduced to scattered remnants of its once vast 160-million-acre domain across North America. These remnants, from pocket prairies with their beauty and diversity of plants, insects, birds, and other grassland wildlife, to the larger tracts that support cattle ranching, antelope, bison, and other large animals, remain vitally important to people for their contributions to water quality, soil health, carbon storage, forage protection in drought, and wildlife and pollinator habitat.

In 2016, the Missouri Prairie Foundation established National Prairie Day, registered on the National Day Calendar as the first Saturday in June. The goals of this special day are to enhance public awareness of what prairie is, educate about its value, and motivate and inspire all to support prairie conservation, restoration, and enjoyment. This year, National Prairie Day is Saturday, June 5, 2021.

“All are invited to join us in recognizing National Prairie Day,” said Carol Davit, executive director of the Missouri Prairie Foundation, a 55-year-old non-profit prairie conservation organization and nationally accredited land trust.

“National Prairie Day provides a day of focus across the United States to inspire learning, appreciation, and exploration of our national prairie legacy. We have educational events planned at several Missouri Prairie Foundation prairies to help Missourians enjoy these rare and beautiful resources.”

Spend National Prairie Day in a Missouri Prairie Foundation Prairie with one or more of our field trips on June 5:

• Herpetology and native plant hike at Golden Prairie with MPF board member Brian Edmond, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas survey at Drovers’ Prairie and Lordi Marker Prairie with MPF board member Doug Helmers, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Birding and iNaturalist walk at Runge Prairie with Missouri River Bird Observatory’s Zeb Yoko, 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
• Bird walk at Drovers’ Prairie with Missouri River Bird Observatory’s Paige Witek, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Learn more about National Prairie Day and how you can be a part of this special day across the nation at nationalprairieday.org.

The Missouri Prairie Foundation is a 55-year-old conservation organization and nationally accredited land trust that protects and restores prairie and other native grasslands through acquisition, management, education, and support of prairie research. The organization owns 25 properties totaling 3,700 acres of prairie across the state and works with partners to inspire conservation of thousands more. The Missouri Prairie Foundation is also home to the 21-year-old Grow Native! native plant education and marketing program and administers the Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force.