Blog Archives

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Got A Conservation Project? MDC Offering Up To $75,000 In Grants

This native habitat restoration work at Eberwein Park in Chesterfield is an example of the kinds of conservation projects MDC is seeking for its Community Conservation and Back to Nature StL grants. Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently released information for two grant funding opportunities for conservation-friendly projects in the St. Louis area. The funds are available through two partnership opportunities: the Community Conservation Grant Program and the Back to Nature StL Grant.

Application periods for both grants are currently open through September 15, 2017. Find more details below.

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Posted on June 30, 2017 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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Many Local Communities Moving Forward With The Paris Climate Accord

“I believe the President hurt our country and the world by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement,” said University City Mayor Shelley Welsch. Photo credit: West End Word.

“Since we won’t act globally, then it’s time for us to act locally.” That’s the mantra for area residents who do not believe opening old coal mines is the answer to job growth – or the way to address the global warming crisis.

Not long after our President nixed America’s lead role in the global Paris Agreement for combating climate change, my work computer lit up with emails like a Christmas tree – full of LEDs. The messages were about enlisting local mayors to take up the challenge of sensible environmental and sustainable energy policies.

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Posted on June 28, 2017 in Environment, Opinion

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A New Way To Explore Forest Park!

Photo: Forest Park Forever

Forest Park visitors can now rent stand up paddleboards and explore the Park’s waterway!

To get more information, rental location, prices and photos of paddleboarding at Forest Park CLICK HERE.

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Posted on June 25, 2017 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Vandalism Couldn’t Keep Him Down: Smokey Bear Returns To Rockwoods Reservation In Wildwood

Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.

Smokey Bear returned home to Rockwoods Reservation in Wildwood recently. His homecoming is thanks to a partnership between the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) and the Metro West Fire Protection District of St. Louis County.

Smokey’s Journey…

In August 2015, Smokey Bear was stolen from his post along Route 109 in an apparent act of vandalism.  Part of the mascot turned up about a week later in a local junkyard, but there was not enough left to put back up.

According to MDC Forestry District Supervisor Gus Raeker, the facility received a number of calls expressing concern over the disappearance of the local icon.

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Posted on June 21, 2017 in Environment, Home, Outdoor/Nature

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Don’s Dossier: Daggers & Daisies – GOP Establishes Itself as “Anti-Environment Party” Rejecting Past Legacy; Meanwhile, Environmentalists in St. Louis Go Local

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: Steve Bannon and GOP Leaders and Local St. Louis Mayors & Environmentalists.

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Posted on June 17, 2017 in Home, Opinion

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Flooding Issues Take Center Stage At City of Fenton Meeting

The Fenton Board of Aldermen heard concerns from the residents and business owners about the recent flooding at its meeting on June 8. Historic flooding has plagued the area for the second time in less than 18 months. Comments ranged from the issues of floodplain development to the Valley Park levee.

Listen below to hear first-hand the comments from the residents and business owners about their concerns and anxiety about the continued flooding.

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Posted on June 12, 2017 in Environment, Podcasts

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Celebrate Pollinator Week At The Saint Louis Zoo Pollinator Dinner June 20

Photo by Holly Shanks

National Pollinator Week, June 19-25, 2017, focuses on the importance of pollinators for the health of ecosystems as well as our own survival.

The Saint Louis Zoo has released information about its upcoming POLLINATOR DINNER. The popular annual event will feature a  special “Native Foods, Native Peoples and Native Pollinators” dinner focusing on the rich food and cultural history of Native Americans that native pollinators help provide. Also, exhibitor tables and displays about Native Americans, bees and other pollinators, food and agriculture, and gardening and habitat restoration.

Guest speaker is Jane Breckenridge, co-director of Tribal Environmental Action for Monarchs (TEAM). She will present her presentation of “Restoring the Connections: How Native Culture and Science Are Working Together to Create a New Model for Conservation.”

Registration is required for the June 20 event. The cost is $50 for adults (13 and older) and $25 for children. Proceeds help support the Saint Louis Zoo’s Wildcare Institute Center for Native Pollinator Conservation. More information or to register CLICK HERE. 

More from the Saint Louis Zoo release below.

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Posted on June 9, 2017 in Local Events

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Don’s Dossier: Daggers & Daisies – Trump & America’s Young Evangelicals

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: Trump Joins Syria and Nicaragua To Take Stand Against What He Calls The “Chinese Hoax” of Global Warming.

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Posted on June 2, 2017 in Opinion

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Help Clean-Up Simpson Lake County Park & Greentree Park Saturday, June 3

Photo by Ursula Ruhl, South County Times.

The Open Space Council in partnership with the St. Louis County Parks, Kirkwood Parks and Recreation, and REI, are sponsoring a local flood clean-up event at Simpson Lake County Park and Greentree Park. The event is Saturday, June 3, 2017, 9 a.m. to noon.

Register to help HERE.

More from the Open Space Council’s release below.

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Posted on May 30, 2017 in Home, Local Events

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Webster University Sustainability Program Hosts Free Summer Lunch & Learn Events

Join Webster University Sustainability and Butterfly Energy Works on Wednesdays during the summer months beginning May 31st from 12pm-1pm to learn about strategies and solutions being created and used right here in our local community to improve environmental, social and economic sustainability. The first session will feature Wayne Garver, president of the Gateway Electric Vehicle Club.
The lunch lectures include a free lunch and free opportunity to learn from a local environmental sustainability champion. After the final session on August 2nd, attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a Rolling Ridge Nursery gift card! Attendees will receive an entry for each session attended.

More details, such as speakers and building/room locations, can be found online HERE.  To register for a Lunch & Learn: CLICK HERE.

Parking is available in Garden Park Plaza parking garage. For more information contact Kelsey Wingo at kelseywingo07@webster.edu or by phone at 314-246-8611.

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Posted on May 28, 2017 in Local Events