Image

MDC’s Powder Valley Nature Center welcomes a visit with conservation legend Ding Darling May 16

Photo courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a chance to meet one of the great founding fathers of the modern conservation movement.  Ding Darling may have had a whimsical name, but he left a serious impact on how we look at natural resources even to this day.

MDC’s Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center will host a live performance of The Art of Conservation, a Visit with Ding DarlingThursday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m.  The performance features actor Tom Milligan in a first-person portrayal of the legendary conservation activist.  It is part of the Legends of Conservation series.

For more information and registration link, continue reading below.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on May 12, 2019 in Local Events

Image

MDC Reminds Missourians To Keep Wildlife Wild

Photo courtesy the Missouri Department of Conservation.

As Missourians begin to head outdoors during the long-awaited spring season, they may encounter a variety of newborn animals. Though the young wildlife can pull on the heartstrings, and oftentimes appears to be abandoned, that’s usually not the case.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds residents to avoid interfering with newborn or young animals as it can do more harm than good.

“Young animals are rarely orphaned,” said MDC State Wildlife Veterinarian Sherri Russell. “If the young is left alone, the parent will usually return. Parents are normally out searching for food and cannot constantly attend to their offspring.”

Russell added that baby birds are a common newborn people want to help.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on May 6, 2019 in Outdoor/Nature

Tagged , ,

Connecting Soil Health With Human Health In The St. Louis Region

Posted on May 3, 2019 | Leave a comment

Photo by Holly Shanks

Meeting for the EcoHealth St. Louis project to be held at the Missouri Botanical Garden on May 13.

Working with the Missouri Botanical Garden, the BiodiverseCity St. Louis network of St. Louis, and other organizations and individuals, the EcoHealth Network will coordinate with public and private groups in urban and rural parts of this region to find positive solutions to human health and quality-of-life issues.

At this meeting, the global EcoHealth Network, and its first major regional program—EcoHealth St. Louis—will partner with other organizations working in conservation, restoration, outdoor recreation, and human health to present issues of importance to all of us.

For more information and registration link, continue reading below.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Local Events

Image

Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day At Columbia Bottom Conservation Area May 11

May 11 is International Migratory Bird Day, and Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake is kicking off the celebration a week early with a special event Sunday, May 5 from Noon- 4 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone.

The The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is celebrating  International Migratory Bird Day! Read more below from the MDC about the upcoming event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area on Sunday, May 11, 2019.

Everything needs its special day, including migratory birds. May 11 has been officially designated as International Migratory Bird Day. It celebrates bird migration in America, and is also observed in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

The MDC is getting a week head start on the celebration at its Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake.

Columbia Bottom will hold a special International Migratory Bird Day event Sunday, May 5,from Noon—4 p.m. The area is an important stopover point for migrating birds of all sorts, so it’s a special place to celebrate these amazing feats of mass movement. Fun and educational activities from multiple partners will help visitors discover why Columbia Bottom is so important for migratory birds, as well as ways they can help, too.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on May 1, 2019 in Outdoor/Nature

Tagged , , ,

Image

“Nuts About Squirrels” Raise Questions In U.S. Capitol

Pictured: Don Corrigan with his new book, “Nuts About Squirrels” in Washington D.C.

Is it true that climate change is causing squirrels in America to migrate north or to move to different elevations in mountain areas? Do humans bear any responsibility for the disruption of the habitat for squirrels? Are squirrels better equipped than humans to deal with global warming and climate change?

These were some of the serious questions author Don Corrigan was peppered with at the recent U.S. Popular Culture Association convention in Washington, D.C., from April 16 to 21.

Corrigan’s book, “Nuts About Squirrels: The Rodents That Conquered Popular Culture,” debuted at the McFarland Publishing book site at the convention on April 16 — and promptly sold out. McFarland marketing guru Savannah Clemmons said the book appears to be “a must” for squirrel fans.

Read more below. Also find a list of Corrigan’s local book signings!

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on April 29, 2019 in Environment, Local Events, Nuts About Squirrels, Outdoor/Nature

Invasive Callery/Bradford Pear BuyBack Planned For April 26!

Posted on April 24, 2019 | Leave a comment

Photo: Forest ReLeaf of Missouri

Supply a photo of yourself (Selfie) with a cut-down callery pear tree (also known as a Bradford Pear) and receive a FREE native tree. Forest ReLeaf of Missouri in partnership with the Missouri Prairie Foundation will be hosting a buy back program on April 26 as part of the #NoInvasivesPlantNatives campaign.

Read more from Forest Releaf of Missouri below.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Home

Image

They Are Small But Mighty! Hummingbird 101

A Ruby-Throated Hummingbird flies while attempting to drink a sugar water from feeder in Moberly, MO. Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.

Who doesn’t love watching hummingbirds? Find out more about hummingbirds and how to attract and care for them from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) below!

The ruby-throated hummingbird, the tiniest bird to nest in the Show-Me State, is a harbinger of spring. The MDC urges the public to learn more about these long-distance fliers as they begin to arrive during their spring migration.

“It’s time to put out feeders! Hummingbirds will be here soon and their numbers will ramp up in the next few weeks,” said MDC State Ornithologist Sarah Kendrick. “They have already been spotted in northern Arkansas and Tennessee.”

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on April 22, 2019 in Outdoor/Nature

Image

Twilight Trek and Taste Planned At Washington State Park

To celebrate the spring season, Washington State Park will host its annual Twilight Trek and Taste 6:30 to 10 p.m., Saturday, April 27.

The event will begin with a lantern-led guided hike by park interpretive staff on the base of the beautiful, natural surface 1000 Steps Trail.

Guests will end the 0.5-mile hike at Shelter #2 in the Big River Day-Use Area with an evening of complimentary wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres. Wine tastings will be provided by local area wineries, including Edg-Clif Vineyards and Bardenheier Wine Cellars. Additional purchases from the local wineries and food purchases are optional.

Read more about the event and reservations below.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on April 20, 2019 in Outdoor/Nature

Image

Beware The Pear! Avoid Planting The Invasive Callery Pear Tree

Photo: MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) released information about the invasive Callery pear tree. Plant native trees and plants instead! Read more from the MDC below about this important topic.

The MDC encourages homeowners and landscapers to avoid planting Callery pear trees this spring. Though these trees bear beautiful white flowers in the springtime, looks can be deceiving.

The Callery pear tree is often found for sale as Bradford pear, Cleveland Select, Autumn Blaze, or Aristocrat. It is a highly invasive species that multiplies quickly, flourishes in a variety poor growing conditions, and reduces biodiversity by crowding out native Missouri plants.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on April 19, 2019 in Outdoor/Nature

Tagged , , ,

Image

Corrigan Goes To Washington!

Pictured: Don Corrigan

Don Corrigan, professor of journalism and mass communications at Webster University, will be in Washington, D.C., April 18, for the debut of his new book, “Nuts About Squirrels: The Rodents Who Captured Popular Culture.” The squirrel offering will be hosted by McFarland Publishing at the annual convention of the Popular Culture Association.

Corrigan’s nutty squirrel squib covers how the furry critters are portrayed in books, newspapers, TV news, movies, comics, video games and more. Corrigan uses squirrels in his media courses to illustrate the ideas of Marshall McLuhan, the late media guru who once taught at St. Louis University. Corrigan will start his St. Louis book tour at Webster and Kirkwood public libraries at 7 p.m. on  April 30 & May 7, followed by more signings in the St. Charles County and Jefferson County library systems.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted on April 17, 2019 in Home, Outdoor/Nature