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Awaken Your Senses on a Benefits of Nature Hike at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area Nov. 1

Participants will discover the rewards of fully immersing themselves in nature at this free, guided hike event. Photo: MDC

The secrets to relieving stress, unlocking creativity, and improving the health of mind and body might be just few steps into the nearest forest.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of daily life, then a little self-care time in nature might be the perfect prescription.  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting a Benefits of Nature Hike Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. – noon at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake.  The goal of the program is to discover the rewards of a totally immersive, multi-sensory experience in nature.  It’s free and open to ages 18 years and up.

Join MDC to learn how the beauty and wonder of nature can recalibrate and restore you. Time in nature has been proven to bolster physical, mental and emotional health.  MDC naturalists will share techniques that will deeply connect your senses and mind to your surroundings.  Participants will take a slow-paced, guided walk ending beside the Mississippi River as they awaken their senses to the great outdoors.

Participants should dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear, and bring bug spray.  A towel or pad to sit on is also recommended.  Attendees may also bring a sack lunch and chair to socialize after the program.

Participants should meet at Parking Lot O, which can be reached from the Columbia Bottom entrance by following the program signs for 3 miles.  Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is located at

The Benefits of Nature Hike is a free program; however advanced online registration is required at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/o4h.

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is located at 801 Strodtman Road in north St. Louis County.  The area can be reached by taking the Riverview Drive Exit from I-270 and travelling north approximately three miles.

Sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed of MDC’s latest programs and events by going to  https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoP.

MDC is committed to accessibility at all its nature centers, regional facilities, and conservation areas. To request an ADA accommodation for participation in MDC programs, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/accessibility.

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Posted on October 30, 2025 in Home, Local Events

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Horticulture Program Cited: Kirkwood’s Meramec Leads The Way With Growing Marijuana Curriculum

Meramec horticulture students working in the program garden on the west side of the Meramec campus.

By Don Corrigan

Missouri’s marijuana industry has flourished with the voter approval of recreational pot in 2022. Missouri already ranks fifth in pot sales among states with adult-use programs. It surpasses older markets like Colorado in sales.

Nothing shows the industry’s gone legit more than its acceptance among those in higher education. Close to home, St. Louis Community College at Meramec in Kirkwood now has one of the best horticultural programs in marijuana cultivation in Missouri.

One sure sign of its prominence came on Oct. 10 when the St. Louis AgriBusiniess Club met at Meramec and marijuana growing was atop its agenda. The club is regional and covers five counties in Missouri and eight in Illinois.

A three-person panel at the club’s luncheon explained their take on one of the fastest-growing crops and businesses in Missouri. Ryan Schepers, an assistant professor of horticulture at the community college, explained his focus on cannabis and its varied uses.

Ryan Scheppers is a Meramec faculty member who teaches courses in the area of marijuana cultivation and on cannabis industry trends.

“As we move away from the stigmatization of this product, we see more and more curiosity as to what the different strains can do,” said Schepers. “And we get questions as to what kind of ailments can be treated with what kind of strains.”

With hands-on experience in urban agriculture, environmental control,  biotechnology and invasive plant management, Scheppers offers students valuable insights into the real world applications of their Meramec studies.

Panelist Brian Riegel, owner of Riegel Dairy Inc. and South Point Hemp Inc., has built a career at the intersection of traditional farming and the expanding hemp industry. Riegel said he was attracted to hemp, in part, because of his personal use of the product for pain management.

“Getting into this as a dairy farmer has been pretty amazing,” said Riegel. “What’s also amazing is to see the changes and to get a handle on just what’s happened with marijuana over the past 10 years.”

At South Point Hemp, Riegel said he pursues high quality standards with a vision to produce pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid products. He also seeks to support college research programs across the country, including collaborations with Saint Louis University, Washington University and Meramec.

Panelist Chris Chesley serves as a retail operations advisor at Proper Cannabis, which has a growing facility in Rock Hill. He is a cannabis industry leader with a track record in business development, regulatory compliance and government relations.

Cannabis Coursework

According to Meramec’s Scheppers, the horticultural program at his school is among the first in the state to offer a certificate of specialization in Cannabis and Hemp Production. The certificate has the approval of the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

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Posted on October 28, 2025 in Home

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Missouri Environmental Educators To Meet For 30th Annual Conference In Columbia on Oct. 24-25

By Don Corrigan

Missouri’s Environmental Education Association has a mission to help educators connect every state learner to the natural world and equip them to care, understand, and act for the environment. To that end, MEEA is holding its 30th Annual Conference In Columbia on Oct. 24-25.

 

 

MEEA’s convention theme this year is: “Bringin’ It Home: Place-Based Environment Education.” Details for conference activities can be found at the site:
https://meea.org/meea-news-september-2025-2/.
“We are really excited about every detail regarding our upcoming annual conference,” said Jamin Bray, MEEA Co-Director. “This gathering is by far MEEA’s biggest professional development event bar none.”

Formal and non-traditional educators and EE supporters will come together from across Missouri for hands-on sessions to put theory into practice and to network with environmentalists from across the state.

“Every year we move from region to region to try our best to get as many folks involved as possible,” said Bray. “This year, we will be in the central part of Missouri – Columbia and Jefferson City.

“We will not only explore the regional landscape and the mosaic of educational offerings in this region, but we will focus on the concept of ‘Place,’ and the importance of the strategy of teaching using a place-based approach. It’s an effective strategy to connect citizens to the environment.”

Bray and MEEA Co-Director Lesli Moylan said they are indebted to their Conference Planning Committee for this year’s conference sessions in Mid-Missouri.

“That includes a shout-out for our exciting Friday afternoon field session site hosts from the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, the Boone County Nature School and Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary,” Bray said.

“Thanks also goes out to folks at MDC’s Runge Conservation Nature Center for offering their fantastic facility and space in Jeff City for the full Saturday Conference,” added Bray.  “Wow, what wonderful partners!”

 

 

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Posted on October 22, 2025 in Home, Local Events

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SEED St. Louis Annual Garlic & Plant Sale!

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Posted on October 14, 2025 in Home, Local Events

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Cheetah Cubs Make Public Debut at Saint Louis Zoo

Photo courtesy Saint Louis Zoo

Four-month-old quintuplet cheetah cubs—Asha, Bozzie, Chirpa, Milani and Wickett—are now making public appearances at the Saint Louis Zoo. The cubs and their mother gained access to the cheetah habitat at River’s Edge starting, Sept. 17, 2025. The cheetah cubs will be visible for extremely limited hours over the next several weeks as they adjust to their new space. Cora and her quints will frequently have access to their public habitat first thing in the morning (typically between 9 and 10 a.m.). The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but there are no guaranteed times when the cubs will be visible.

The quintuplet cheetah cubs were born May 5, 2025, to first-time parents Cora, age 4, and Vader, age 8, and were soon dubbed “Cora’s Quints.” In their first months of life, the cheetah cubs have bonded closely with their mother and each other behind the scenes in a private habitat at the Zoo. The Animal Care Team has gradually introduced them to new enrichment and experiences to aid their development and prepare them for public debut.

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Posted on October 6, 2025 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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EE’s Author/Editor Has News: “Book Writing Is Alive & Well”

Pictured: Don Corrigan

Contrary to current mythology, reports of the “death of books” are greatly exaggerated. In fact, opportunities for publishing in popular culture, trade, and local interest markets are increasing.

That was the message Don Corrigan, Webster University journalism faculty emeritus, brought to the Missouri Press Association Convention in St. Louis on Sept. 13. He was the Saturday breakfast speaker.

Several MPA members have taken Don’s message to heart, including Susan Croce Kelly, author of the recent, Route 66: The Highway And Its People. Corrigan has authored four books in the popular culture realm –with a fifth on the way.

Corrigan will bring his optimistic message on the future of books to the Midwest Popular Culture Association Conference at the University of Iowa in Iowa City slated for Oct. 3-5.

He will speak on “Writing, Publishing, Marketing Pop Culture Books.” Corrigan recently won honors for the top popular culture book published in 2024 at the national convention of the Popular Culture Association (PCA) held in April in New Orleans.

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Posted on October 1, 2025 in Home, Local Events

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Free Events at St. Louis Area State Parks and Historic Sites

St. Louis area state parks and historic sites have a variety of events planned for September. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources have posted a list of activities with something for everyone.

Thursdays, Sept. 25 and Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. – Toddler Thursdays at Mastodon State Historic Site. Come learn, create and play at Mastodon State Historic Site! These Toddler Thursday programs are designed for toddlers and their grown-ups. Each session focuses on a different topic and includes a story and a craft. There is no need to register; just show up to the museum auditorium located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial and enjoy. Upcoming program topics: Sept. 25 – Bird Songs.
Oct. 9 – Autumn Leaves.

Friday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. – Outdoor Classroom: Petroglyph Research at Washington State Park. Join the team at the park’s amphitheater, 3041 State Highway 104 in De Soto, to listen to a presentation about the petroglyphs at Washington State Park and the connections between this site and other Native American archaeological sites.


Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 4:30 p.m. – Living With Water: An Introduction to Your Rock Creek Watershed at Mastodon State Historic Site.
Members of the local community are invited to come out to the historic site on Tuesday, Sept. 30, to learn more about the Rock Creek watershed. This free event will take place at the picnic shelter from 4:30-7 p.m. Guests are welcome to come and go as they please.

Representatives from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson County Public Works, University of Missouri Extension and more will be present to answer questions. This event is open to all ages and will include activities for children. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please call the historic site at 636-464-2976. The event will be held at the historic picnic shelter at 1800 Seckman Road in Imperial.

For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Posted on September 21, 2025 in Home, Local Events

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Bring Conservation Home Expo Sept. 21 in Tower Grove Park

MDC and the St. Louis Audubon Society invite the public to the Bring Conservation Home Expo Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in St. Louis’ Tower Grove Park. Photo: MDC

Conservation doesn’t just happen on conservation areas.  The Bring Conservation Home (BCH) program is a collaboration between the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the St. Louis Audubon Society.  It offers homeowners consultation visits by trained habitat advisors.  They provide tailored advice and resource connections to help transform yards into native plant havens for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

MDC and the St. Louis Audubon Society invite the public to a Bring Conservation Home Expo Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in St. Louis’ Tower Grove Park.  This free event is open to everybody and will be a special exhibition of native plant benefits, resources, and native landscaping information.

“Community members can welcome a wider variety of birds and pollinators to their neighborhood by including native plants and nature stewardship in their own yards and other community spaces,” said Dan Pearson, director of the BCH program.

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Posted on September 16, 2025 in Home, Local Events

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GRG’s 25th Anniversary: St. Louis Hikers & Bikers To Celebrate Great Rivers Greenway Birthday

by Don Corrigan

A 1,500-foot long dinner table would normally suffice for most birthday parties, but revelers may want to show up early to get a place at the table got GRG’s 25th anniversary shindig.

The table will be set for Monday, Sept. 15 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the circle drive at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. The Great Gather Round Table event will feature local DJs, free cupcakes, sweet art for everyone and local food trucks.

Webster-Kirkwood hikers and bikers have benefitted from trails close to home, including the River des Peres Greenway, Gravois Greenway (Grant’s Trail), and the Meramec Greenway with a major tailhead at Kirkwood’s Greentree Park along the river.

GRG’s  system of trails features 140 miles of paved pathways that bring neighborhoods together and give people safe places to walk, bike, run, and roll – on skates. They’re available for exercise, to commute or for making memories.

“This anniversary reminds us of how much we can accomplish when we work together across the region,” said Mark Perkins, incoming CEO at GRG. “The greenways we’ve built are only the beginning. We’re excited for what the next 25 years will bring.”

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Posted on September 10, 2025 in Environment, Home, Local Events

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MDC will remove invasive carp from Platte River

Invasive carp removal efforts, as photographed above, aim to combat the overpopulation of fish that outcompete native species for resources in Missouri waters. MDC will close Schimmel City Access on Sept. 8-11 and 22-25 to continue this work on the Platte River. Photo: MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is conducting an invasive carp removal on the Platte River. This effort will seek to inform management of invasive carp populations in the state’s big rivers and their smaller connected rivers and creeks. On Sept. 8-11 and Sept. 22-25, MDC will close the Schimmel City Access for the fish removal project. The access is located in Platte County, just north of Farley, Mo. The project is being conducted in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Crews will be removing the carp from the river, and a commercial fishing operation will then process the fish into various products such as a protein additive for animal feeds and for prepared fish bait for anglers.

Removal efforts like this project have potential to increase the available food and habitat for native fish in the Platte River such as buffalo, multiple catfish species, and the many smaller fish species that are part of the ecosystem. The invasive carp tend to spawn during periods of high water, and both young and mature carp congregate in the slower feeder streams and in the nutrient-rich water of deep pools. Continued work in those areas has the potential to remove large numbers of invasive carp for the betterment of the native species competing for resources in those areas.

Invasive carp reproduce prolifically and grow quickly to sizes too big for native predator fish to consume. They filter food and nutrients from the water that are needed by the many fish species native to the rivers, including those popular with anglers. One invader, silver carp, grow to large sizes and leap from the water when startled, and they can seriously injure boaters. The removal will target silver, bighead, grass, and black carp. Any other fish species captured will be measured and released as part of research and monitoring of the river’s fishery.

MDC has fish population sampling data from prior years and populations will be sampled after the carp removal. Biologists will monitor how native fish populations respond and how quickly invasive carp re-populate the stream section.

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Posted on August 31, 2025 in Home, Outdoor/Nature