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Image ImageThe Night The Lights Went Out On The St. Louis Gateway Arch
The National Park Service recently released that it will shut down the Gateway Rach lights at night from September 17-30. The decision was made to help reduce the effects on nite-time migrating birds.
“The end of September is the peak migration period for birds migrating south for the winter,” says Frank Mares, deputy superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park. “In order to avoid the possible disorienting effect of the monument’s upward lighting on birds that migrate at night, the Gateway Arch’s exterior lights will be turned off for the last two weeks of September.”
The recently upgraded lighting systems will resume nightly October 1, at 7:00 p.m. Less than three dozen static xenon skylights with new custom lenses replaced 44 outdated light fixtures. The new system allows more light to be focused on the Arch itself. The number of fixtures has been reduced, but due to advances in technology, the upgraded fixtures provide increased light coverage of the Arch legs and energy efficiency.
Find more information about the Gateway Arch National Park HERE.
Want Interesting Facts About The Saint Louis Zoo? Check Out Their Blog!
Photo: Saint Louis Zoo
St. Louisans love Forest Park and their Zoo! One of the zillion amazing things about our world-class Saint Louis Zoo is the fact that admission is still FREE! This allows everyone, from every background and walk in life, to enjoy the zoo and its many learning opportunities.
The editors at Environmental Echo have had the pleasure of meeting several of the zoo’s staff members over the years. And one thing always stands out – the talented and knowledgeable people working at the zoo love what they do and love to share what they know about the animals they love, the zoo’s outstanding operations and facilities, the serious environmental challenges we face and their continuous conservation efforts.
One way to stay informed on what’s happening at the Saint Louis Zoo is by reading their online blog. Did you know the zoo had a blog?
Well, they do, and it’s a variety of interesting topics filled with insights. Did you know that some of the zoo’s catering menu has food items grown right in their own culinary garden?
How about the partnership with Ameren to help feed the animals and create mulch from tree limbs that are trimmed and removed to help prevent storm damage?
Oh, and, if you happen to browse the gift shop and take home a soapstone statuette handmade in the village of Tabaka in Kenya, the purchase helps support the village’s people and their local conservation efforts.
And, of course, news and information about the animals, along with many more interesting tidbits directly from the staff members who work at the zoo.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race and Balloon Glow!
Photo: Forest Park Forever/ Benjamin Sherliss
All eyes will be up in the sky for The Great Forest Park Balloon Race Saturday, September 15. The event will have skydivers, musical entertainment, food and more!
The spectacular Balloon Glow is an event not to be missed! Check it out on Friday, September 14, starting at 7 p.m.!
Find more information and the schedule of events here: https://tinyurl.com/y7w8afle
Under The Stars At Forest Park With The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra Sept. 12!
Photo: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Head to Forest Park for a night under the stars with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at 7p.m.
It’s the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra’s 50th annual FREE Forest Park Concert at the base of Art Hill. The orchestra will perform many classical favorites.
The event is free and no tickets are required. Pack a picnic, grab a blanket and relax with family and friends at the base of Art Hill and don’t rush off because you won’t want to miss the impressive firework display after the concert!
Also, the Metro will provide free shuttles to the concert venue from the Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Station for the event. Find more information here. https://tinyurl.com/ybmd3fgr
A Comprehensive Look At The Valley Park Levee And Local Historic Flooding Issues
The Valley Park levee has been a tense and bitter debate since historic flooding hit the area twice in 18 months during 2015 and 2017. With any major forecasted rain or storm event, the threat of flooding is always on the minds of local residents.
This weekend, heavy rain is predicted as the last of tropical storm Gordon pushes its way into the Midwest. (September 2018)
Environmental Echo has posted several stories and updates about the local flooding situations related to the Valley Park levee issue in the past and we wanted to share a comprehensive piece of investigative journalism we ran across from ProPublica.
Want To Meet The Acclaimed “Mushroom Man?” Here’s Your Chance!
Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.
One the world’s foremost mushroom hunters is Taylor Lockwood and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is bringing him to Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood, Mo.
Lockwood has traveled the world photographing mushrooms and fungi and his photos are said to be extraordinary. One of his images was even chosen for a US Postal stamp!
The special presentation by Lockwood will be Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. The program is titled My Great Adventure: The Most Beautiful Mushrooms in the World by Taylor Lockwood. Lockwood will share highlights of his odysseys with photos and animations of fungi and mushrooms, from the beautiful to the bioluminescent.
The program is free, but advanced online registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/y83nx5w4.
Find more information below.
Australia’s “Godfather of Coral” Says Great Barrier Reef’s Extinction Could Cause “Ecological Collapse”
Photo: Pixabay/Pexels
A reef expert, nicknamed “The Godfather of Coral,” has decided to become vocal about the extinction threat facing Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
CNN recently published a story on the topic. The online article is complete with photos, maps, videos and links to more information about the reef.
If you have the time, take a few minutes and check it out. The story can be found HERE.
Also, the link to CNN’s full video documentary for “Race To Save The Reef.” Find it HERE.
Are You “Batty About Bats?” – Check Out The Event At Echo Bluff State Park Sept. 8
Missouri State Parks has released information about the Batty about Bats event. Bats are an important part of the eco-system and learning about their contributions to our environment is a great way to help protect them.
Echo Bluff State Park is a family fun and outdoor destination area. The park offers camping, lodge and cabin accommodations, restaurants and an array of outdoor activities. Find links at the end of this post for Echo Bluffs State Park and its offerings.
Find information from the Missouri State Parks Batty about Bats event below.
The Missouri Department of Conservation and partners invite the public to a free screening of the documentary film Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home, Thursday, Aug. 30 at St. Charles Community College.
In the film, renowned entomologist, author, and native plant expert Dr. Doug Tallamy narrates inspiring, true stories that show how everyday “heroes” can help restore nature one garden at a time. Register HERE.
