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Religious Groups React: Christian Environmentalists Alarmed Over EPA Attacking Solar

by Don Corrigan

Christian environmentalist groups are becoming increasingly vocal about their alarm over the current administration’s policies on ecology, the environment, and conservation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is implementing a plan to terminate $7 billion in federal grants allocated to help an estimated 900,000 low- and middle-income households install rooftop solar panels.

These grants, known as the “Solar for All” program, were awarded and set to be distributed to 60 state agencies, tribes, and nonprofit organizations across the country. Proponents of the solar program say it had the potential to significantly lower monthly energy costs for families through rooftop and community solar.

In response to the draconian EPA cuts, the Evangelical Environmental Network’s president and CEO, the Rev. Jessica Moerman, said the decision to end the “Solar for All” program was a step backwards on green power and affordable clean energy in America.

“When energy bills soar, many struggling families turn to their local church for help,” said Moerman. “Canceling the Solar for All program will take away an opportunity for 900,000 low-income households to find financial relief and greater self-sufficiency through home-grown solar energy.

“As evangelicals, we’re called to care for the ‘least of those’ among us and to be good stewards of God’s creation and our resources, Moerman added.

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Posted on August 28, 2025 in Environment, Opinion

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“It’s Going To Get Worse” Besides Utility Rate Hikes, Missouri CWIP Action Could Hit Hard

by Don Corrigan

With gas and electric rates moving upward, Missouri newspapers warn consumers that “it’s going to get worse.” This hardly tells the whole story, especially given the actions of the state legislature this year.

In the 2025 session, legislators approved CWIP (Construction Work In Progress). This overturned a “will of the people” measure dating from 1976. That measure stopped ratepayers from having to pick up the tab for projects until they’re online and producing energy for customers.

In 1976, Ameren wanted to bill ratepayers for a second nuclear reactor project east of Fulton in Calloway County. Ameren insisted the reactor was essential to meet energy needs, but the critical need suddenly evaporated when voters said “no” at the ballot box.

So what’s happening now?

Missouri voters’ action on CWIP has been honored for nearly five decades. What turn of events this year moved the legislature to overturn the people’s will as expressed in the 1976 statewide vote?

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Posted on August 26, 2025 in Home

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41st Birthday Bash Planned For Anti-litter superhero Peanut the Turtle (8/31 Powder Valley)

Powder Valley Nature Center is celebrating Peanut the Turtle’s 41st birthday with a free Birthday Bash Saturday, August 23, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The famous, figure-eight turtle has been an anti-litter superhero for nearly 40 years. Photo by John Miller.

There was more than one famous turtle to hit the scene in 1984.  That was the year comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird first published their iconic creations, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  The reptilian superheroes heroes skyrocketed to fame that year soon after their comic book debut.

Another famous turtle crusader entered the world in 1984—Peanut the Turtle.  Her mutation didn’t come about from a mutagenic ooze; she was transformed into a litter fighting superhero by a cast-off plastic six-pack ring.  And she’s been a real deal trash basher for 40 years.

Peanut is turning 41 years old, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is throwing her a Birthday Bash. The party is happening at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Saturday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. It’s a free event and open to all ages.

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Posted on August 22, 2025 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Award-Winning MDC Photographer Noppadol Paothong to Speak at Powder Valley Nature Center Aug. 22

Award-winning MDC photographer Noppadol Paothong will speak at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood Friday, Aug. 22 from 7 – 8 p.m.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) presents an evening with award-winning MDC photographer Noppadol Paothong at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood Friday, Aug. 22 from 7 – 8 p.m.

Paothong’s photography has been featured in the Missouri Conservationist and Xplor magazines, and many other publications including National Audubon, Ranger Rick, BBC, and the Nature Conservancy.

Paothong is a nature/conservation photographer and an associate fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP). The iLCP is an elite group of the world’s top wildlife, nature, and culture photographers around the globe.  Paothong is also the featured artist in Powder Valley’s display gallery for August, where his photography can be seen until the end of the month.

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Posted on August 17, 2025 in Home, Local Events

Open House Set For Meramec Greenway at Unger Park Design

Posted on August 15, 2025 | Leave a comment

by Don Corrigan

The public is invited for an open house on Aug. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m., where a final design for the Meramec Greenway realignment project in Unger Park will be showcased.

The event will take place at the Pavilion in Unger Park and will be the last opportunity for area residents to give feedback on the development of this portion of the Meramec Greenway.

The open house comes in the wake of some controversy over a proposal to link St. Louis County’s Unger Park with a bridge over the Meramec River to Kirkwood’s Greentree Park. That proposal has encountered opposition, but officials say the bridge plan is “preliminary” at best.

Great Rivers Greenway (GRG) has reportedly been conducting a feasibility study for a pedestrian and bicycle bridge that would connect the two parks. It also would tie together a trail network that runs along either side of the Meramec River.

“Rivers are a barrier, obviously, so this is an opportunity for people to connect across a major waterway,” said Great Rivers Greenway’s Emma Klues.

“In our studies and our surveys, people tell us they want us to work on these kinds of opportunities,” said Klues, vice president of communications and outreach for GRG. “They want these connections.”

The possibility of such a Meramec River Bridge was first evaluated during a flood study of Unger Park, which itself is now being redeveloped by GRG in partnership with St. Louis County.

Environmentalists opposing the bridge plan note that the increasingly violent floods in the area are becoming very problematic.

Higher flood waters on the Meramec, and torrents that rip away the shore land, make a new bridge dicey – and costly, according to these area residents. There is no shortage of evidence of river bank erosion.

The proposal to be shown on Aug. 19 at the open house apparently does not contain a new bridge across the Meramec River.

It does include a reroute of the trail coming through Unger Park to avoid the  areas that flood frequently along the Meramec. It also includes new amenities and a lookout point along the river at a higher elevation to avoid flooding issues.

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Explore One of Missouri’s Remaining Lowland Swamp and Bottomland Forest

Some of the Allred Lake Natural Area’s bald cypress trees (shown here) are estimated to be over 500 years old. Photo: MDC.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites Missourians and visitors to explore Allred Lake Natural Area (NA) — home to one of the best remaining examples of lowland swamp and bottomland forest habitat in the state.

Located in the Bootheel region of Missouri, the area spans a diverse and ecologically rich landscape, including a 76-acre portion designated as a Missouri Natural Area. This designation recognizes the area’s exceptional educational and scientific value, and MDC actively manages the site to preserve its unique plant and animal communities.

“Allred Lake is a rare and beautiful reminder of the swampy wilderness that once covered much of southeastern Missouri,” said MDC Conservation Agent Clarissa Stroder. “It’s an outstanding place for nature study, birding, and quiet appreciation of some of the state’s oldest natural features.”

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Posted on August 12, 2025 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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Road Rage Incidents Partisan Warfare Now Seems To Be Erupting Over Bicycling

Michael Morales at the American Crit Cup race at Downer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

by Don Corrigan

Partisan fights in America can be triggered by such issues as climate change, immigration, school choice, taxation, and more. Now, add a new one to the mix: rights of bicyclists and pedestrians.

Forbes Magazine recently reported on “street fights” between bicyclists and pedestrians vs. automobile partisans. Obviously, bicyclists and pedestrians are destined to lose most battles with motorized vehicle drivers on roadways.

Some drivers view cyclists as impediments because they travel slower. They also are viewed as obstacles because they take up road space, especially in areas where bike lanes have been created for their benefit.

Drivers may not understand that cyclists have the same legal rights on the road as vehicles in most jurisdictions. Also, pedestrians have cross walks and of the right-of-way that many drivers are prone to ignore.

Vehicle-related rage directed at cyclists is often called “bike rage” and is classified as traffic violence. Bike rage in Missouri is often linked to the state’s broader road rage problem. In any case, road rage can be deadly.

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Posted on August 6, 2025 in Environment, Home, Opinion

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Sweet Corn Sunday: Lots of butter, brats and a new book!

By Don Corrigan

Magnificent Missouri’s annual “Sweet Corn Sunday” will once again be rocking in the Missouri River Valley near Treloar. Festivities are slated for 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., August 10, and will be located along the trail at Treloar, Peers and Marthasville.

Each family that attends will receive a free copy of the illustrated “The Katy Trail Country Store Corridor.” Tram rides on the trail will be available, but hikers and bikers also are encouraged to take advantage of various transit activities.

All three locations of the festivities — Treloar, Peers and Marthasville — will have something to offer including storytelling, music and munchies.

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Posted on August 3, 2025 in Home, Local Events

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Green Energy For Kirkwood? Feds Pull Plug, But State Electric Utilities Remain Optimistic

By Don Corrigan

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley and Attorney General Andrew Bailey took victory laps last week when the Department of Energy defunded a long-awaited Grain Belt Express electric transmission line through the state.

The $4.9 billion loan guarantee given to the developers of the Grain Belt Express has been canceled, but cities such as Kirkwood, Farmington, Hannibal and Rolla continue to look forward to receiving the line‘s cleaner energy at some point in the future.

Kirkwood Electric Director Mark Petty has long predicted that cheaper, green energy would be in Kirkwood’s future once the utility line delivering Kansas wind turbine energy got past some political and landowner objections. That future may now be delayed.

Both Hawley and Bailey claimed they were major players in tripping up the future of the transmission line. Hawley has referred to the Grain Belt Express project as a “green scam,” a “boondoggle loan,” and as an “elitist land grab.”

Bailey said the project was sold to the people of Missouri as some kind of “Green New Deal,” but that he had forced “a positive first step” in ending the project altogether. He blasted eminent domain use in securing farm property for transmission lines.

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Posted on August 3, 2025 in Environment, Home

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Save The Date: Missouri Prairie Foundation Annual Dinner, August 16, 2025

The Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) Annual Dinner is a celebration of prairies. This year’s event will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri at Stoney Creek Hotel, 2601 S. Providence Road.

“We are extremely pleased that Dr. Jesse Nippert—University Distinguished Professor of Biology at Kansas State University—will be our special guest speaker for this event,” said MPF Executive Director Carol Davit. In addition to Dr. Nippert’s presentation on the dynamics of tree/grass resource competition—“Managing for Healthy Tallgrass Prairies in an Era of Woody Plant Encroachment”—guests at the dinner event will enjoy a social hour, drinks, and silent auction featuring outdoor gear, artwork, outdoor experiences, and more, with proceeds benefiting MPF’s conservation work. MPF and Grow Native! program awards will also be presented during the evening.

MPF is grateful to event in-kind sponsors: Modern Litho and Bass Pro Shops®.

To purchase individual tickets and tables of six, and to find more details about the event, visit moprairie.org/annualdinner. Registration is required to attend; the registration deadline is August 7, 2025. If you have questions, please email info@moprairie.org.

The Missouri Prairie Foundation is a 59-year-old, nationally accredited land trust that protects and restores prairie and other native grasslands through acquisition, management, education, and prairie research. The organization owns 35 properties totaling more than 5,000 acres of prairie across the state, and, with partners, inspires the conservation of thousands more. The Missouri Prairie Foundation is also home to the 25-year-old Grow Native! native plant education and marketing program and administers the Missouri Invasive Plant Council.

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Posted on July 30, 2025 in Home, Local Events