by Don Corrigan (South County Times)
This has been an Earth Day Month. From the very beginning to the very end of April, there have been so many notable events to remind us how to become better stewards of the planet.
Earth Day & Beyond
Bees Take Up Residence In Florissant Parking Lot
This was the scene in a Florissant parking lot on April 24 – Bees swarming in a tree outside several businesses. The sight created quite a stir. People were taking photos, and gathering outside business entries to watch the spectacle. Watchers wondered what the bees were doing and why they decided to do it in that spot.
We don’t have answers to those questions, but it was an unusual and interesting sight to see.
Photos by Holly Shanks.
Redear Sunfish: New State Record Caught By O’Fallon Resident
Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports James Lucas of O’Fallon became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri after catching a redear sunfish from a private pond in Lincoln County.
The “alternative method” record fish was caught by Lucas on March 24 and weighed 1 pound, 1 ounce. The previous state record was 6-ounces, caught in 1996.
Read more from the MDC release below.
Outdoor Passion & Beauty Meet In The Night Sky
Pictured: Dan Zarlenga, the St. Louis Regional Media Specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Dan Zarlenga is the guest on this week’s Environmental Echo podcast series.
Zarlenga, the St. Louis Regional Media Specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, has a unique hobby – he photographs the star filled night sky while incorporating night-time landscapes. The photographs are stunning!
In the podcast interview, Zarlenga shares his technique, how long it took to learn the craft of nighttime photography, and his passion for the outdoors.
All photos courtesy Dan Zarlenga.
The topic of light pollution and how it affects wildlife and the environment is also briefly discussed. Find out more about light pollution at the International Dark Sky Association – HERE.
To hear the interview with Dan Zarlenga and Holly Shanks click continue reading below.
New Weekly Missouri Weather Podcast
Photo courtesy James Kramper, NWS.
Starting the week of May 22, Environmental Echo will begin a series of weekly podcasts about the most destructive tornadoes to ever hit Missouri. The stories will be based on the research by Don Corrigan for his book, “Show Me … Nature’s Wrath,” and he will be interviewed by Holly Shanks of Environmental Echo. Stay Tuned.
The first tornado covered will be the half-minute hurricane that beat down St. Charles. We hope you will add to the conversation by posting your own observations about Missouri’s tornadic tales. Should Missouri be included in Tornado Alley?
Groundwater In Short Supply?
Photo by Holly Shanks.
From Carl’s Climate Letter #886 dated April 4, 2017.
Carl’s analysis:
Groundwater depletion will soon affect supplies and prices of food around the globe. Irreplaceable groundwater now supplies global agriculture with 43% of its crop irrigation needs, simultaneously reducing its ability to meet future emergency needs in times of drought, which is sure to intensify in many places. This post discusses the problem as revealed by a new study.
Read the Climate News Network story referenced by Carl’s Climate Letter HERE.
Are St. Louisans Breathing Clean Air? Environment Missouri Research & Policy Center Releases New Report
Environment Missouri Research & Policy Center recently released a new report spotlighting the concerns of air pollution and air quality in St. Louis and the U.S.
The report, Our Health at Risk: Why Are Millions of Americans Still Breathing Unhealthy Air?, “comes during National Public Health Week, a celebration of efforts to tackle the underlying causes of disease – like air pollution – and ensure that all people have a chance to live long and healthy lives.”
“There’s no safe level of exposure to smog and particulate pollution,” said Elizabeth Ridlington, policy analyst with Frontier Group and co-author of the report. “Elevated levels of air pollution – even levels the federal government says are safe for most people – hurt our health.”
“Even one day with unhealthy air is too many,” said Taylor Hale, campaign organizer with Environment Missouri.
Don’s Dossier: Daggers & Daisies – Goodall & Blunt
Don Corrigan serves up his weekly opinion about who deserves a dagger for being a foe to the environment and who deserves a daisy for being a friend of the environment.
This week: Daisies to Anthropologist Jane Goodall, Who Labels U.S. Rejection Of Climate Science As “Depressing” and Daggers to Sen. Roy Blunt, Who Has Joined Trump’s Train To Run Over Climate Scientists And Their Data.
Celebrate National Park Week At The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial April 15-23
Photo courtesy West End Word.
The National Park Service invites the public to celebrate 101 years of service during Junior Ranger Day and National Park Week, April 15-23, 2017.
FREE, family-friendly, interactive programs focusing on national parks will be available at the Old Courthouse, part of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
See a list of free activities below…
