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2019 Katy Trail Ride Canceled Due to Missouri River Flooding

Due to the recent widespread flooding along the Missouri River over the past month, Missouri State Parks and the Missouri State Park Foundation are canceling the 2019 Katy Trail Ride set to begin June 17.

The five-day, 240-mile ride annual ride, which takes travelers through many of Missouri’s rural communities, along open fields and between the Missouri River and its bordering bluffs, usually draws some 350 bicyclists from across the nation and overseas. Currently, nearly 100 miles of Katy Trail State Park are closed due to flooding from Boonville east to St. Charles.

Read more from Missouri State Parks below.

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St. Charles’ Riverfront Park Under Water

City of St. Charles’ Frontier Park. Photos by Holly Shanks.

Flooding is causing major damage in the local St. Louis region and City of St. Charles’ Frontier Park is under water. The flooding is slated to continue for the immediate future. The photos below were taken Monday, June 3, 2019.

Let’s hope by the July 4th weekend we will see the rivers back in their banks!

Want to know more about the flooding issues in the region? Follow Great Rivers Habitat Alliance on Facebook. The organization follows flood information, predictions, causes and solutions.

See more photos from St. Charles’ Frontier Park below.

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WGNSS Winning Photographs Displayed At Powder Valley

By Don Corrigan (Webster-Kirkwood Times)

A ruby-throated hummingbird will be seen feeding her young at Powder Valley Nature Center starting June 1. The brightly-colored bird is part of a month-long exhibit of award-winning photos assembled by the Webster Groves Nature Study Society.

“Powder Valley is perfect for exhibiting our winning photographs,” said Bill Duncan, chairperson of the society’s Nature Photography Group. “The photos showcase the nature subjects and scenes that visitors can hope to see in their own outdoor excursions. They also provide a bit of education about the photo subjects.”

Read more below.

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Butterfly Gardening for Pollinators program June 6 at Powder Valley Nature Center

Nature enthusiasts Steve Craig and Amy Short reveal the magic behind creating a butterfly garden with a unique and comprehensive strategy. Photo courtesy MDC.

Butterflies are certainly beautiful to watch, but they can also act as important pollinators.  Did you know you can discover the secrets to attracting butterflies to your yard?  The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Powder Valley Nature Center will present Butterfly Gardening for Pollinators, a free program Thursday, June 6 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Read more about the MDC event below.

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Need A Gift For Dad?

Father’s Day gift ideas eluding you? Come to the Webster Groves Bookshop, 27 N. Gore, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 1.

Annie Blum will explain, sell and sign her book, “The Steamer Admiral.” Ditto for Don Corrigan with “Forest Park: Images of America.” He also will debut, “Nuts About Squirrels.”

These books are conversation pieces for nostalgia on Dad’s Day!

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We Need Rally Squirrel! New Book Review By StL Sports Page

StL Sports Page recently posted a book review for Don Corrigan’s new book, “Nuts About Squirrels.” It’s a great read and showcases Rally Squirrel!

With the Cardinals in such a dismal period, fans are looking for Rally Squirrel. Where has he been the past few weeks?

“Rally Squirrel needs to return,” said local author Don Corrigan, who has just penned a book a book about the furry creatures. “He is in the book several times, thanks to the Cardinals and Dan Martin, who gave permissions for him to jump into the pages of Nuts About Squirrels.”

Corrigan will be signing the book at the Webster Groves Bookshop, 27 N. Gore, from 11 a.m. to1 p.m., Saturday, June 1.

Read the full StL Sports Page HERE.

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Saint Louis Zoo Celebrates Orangutan Merah’s 50th Birthday June 1

Photo: JoEllen Toler, Saint Louis Zoo

Celebrate Merah’s 50th birthday at the Saint Louis Zoo!

Saint Louis Zoo visitors are invited to help celebrate female Sumatran orangutan Merah’s 50th birthday. The great ape care staff will provide birthday-themed enrichment for Merah and her daughters Rubih (ROO-bee) and Ginger, and Ginger’s father Cinta (CHIN-tah). Meet a keeper and education staff members to learn about the animals and conservation.

When:  Saturday, June 1 – 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

·  9:30 a.m. – orangutan enrichment activity; meet a keeper

·  2 p.m. – orangutan enrichment activity; meet a keeper

·  9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – education and conservation information

Where: Fragile Forest at the Saint Louis Zoo

Photo: Robin Winkelman, Saint Louis Zoo

The Saint Louis Zoo is located at One Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110. Find more information HERE.

 

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Book highlights high jinks, history of squirrels – The Leader Book Review

The Leader newspaper wrote a great review of the new book, “Nuts About Squirrels” by Environmental Echo Editor Don Corrigan. The article was written by

“Squirrels certainly have their enemies – resulting from a long list of troubles they cause – but for the most part they maintain popularity. I waffle at times between disdain and admiration, but overall I agree that they are pretty impressive.”

 

Click below for a link to read the full article.

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Squirrel Season Opens In Missouri May 25 – Do You Know Your Squirrel Hunter History?

Photo courtesy MDC. A Grey Squirrel keeps its eye for a danger.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians that squirrel and black bass seasons open May 25, the Saturday before Memorial Day.

Do you know the history of squirrel hunters in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War? It’s quite a legacy. …

Don Corrigan, author of “Nuts About Squirrels,” reminds Missourians to remember the legacy of squirrel hunters in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Corrigan notes the contribution of the volunteer Squirrel Army Brigades who came from all over Ohio to protect Cincinnati from approaching Confederates in the Ciivl War. The state legislature of Ohio did, however, officially thank the patriotic volunteers with a resolution, which read:

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Sustainability: What Can YOU Do? Summer Lunch & Learn Series At Webster University

Beginning May 30, join Webster University Sustainability, Wednesdays from 12 p.m.-1 p.m., this summer to learn about the types of impact small, local actions can have toward a more sustainable future for all.

These events are FREE and open to the public with box lunches provided. After the final session on June 26, attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a free copy of Missouri Harvest: A Guide to Growers and Producers in the Show-Me State. Attendees will receive an entry in to the raffle for each session attended.

Read more about the event and speaker line-up below.

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