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MSD: Fenton Wastewater Treatment Plant Fully Operational

Fenton sewer plant, December 2015. Photos provided by Sean Hadley, MSD.

Fenton sewer plant, December 2015. Photos provided by Sean Hadley, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District.

After months of repair work following historic flooding in December 2015, the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) says operations at the Fenton Wastewater Treatment Plant are fully restored.

From the MSD website: MSD crews and contractors have restored the full wastewater treatment process at the Fenton Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) that is required during the recreation season from April 1- October 31.  This includes the re-establishment of wastewater disinfection using ultraviolet light.  With the restoration of full treatment, the Fenton WWTP again meets regulatory standards.  As a result, the recreation advisory for the Meramec River has been lifted.  MSD crews are in the process of removing signs. Find more information HERE.

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Posted on April 13, 2016 in Environment

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California Redwood Dreaming: Local Tree Climber Gets Chance To Help Conduct Research In Redwoods Canopy

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Pictured: David Slane climbing the Redwoods in California. All photos provided by David Slane.

 

 

 

 

“Redwoods are just amazing,” said Slane. “It was awe-inspiring to be on trees 15 feet in diameter, to be on trees that are 2,500 years old, 500 years before Jesus Christ was on this Earth. I am still mind-boggled by the whole experience.”

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Posted on April 10, 2016 in Outdoor/Nature

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NEW DRONES: BAD FOR PRIVACY? BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

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By Don Corrigan (column from the Webster-Kirkwood Times)

My friend Bill Allen at Mizzou J-School offers a course in using drones for news coverage, but use of flying drones to gather information is raising questions at every level.

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Posted on April 7, 2016 in Environment

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It’s April In Missouri – That Means Morel Mushrooms!

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By Holly Shanks (2014)

St. Louis native, Don Dill, 88, started studying mushrooms 60-years ago. It started when he and some friends were at the Lake of the Ozarks. He went outside one morning to check their leaky boat tied in the water and discovered an amazing sight. He said he went out the porch door and encountered what looked like a “flower garden.” As far as he could see down to the water was covered with mushrooms.

“I never saw so many. They were all kinds, different colors and shapes,” Dill said. “Boy, I decided right then I wanted to know more about those things because they were so interesting.”

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Posted on April 5, 2016 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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Tales From A Park Ranger

Pictured: Brian Ettling.

Pictured: Brian Ettling.

Brian Ettling, a seasonal park ranger at Crater Lake National Park, is the guest on this week’s “Behind the Editor’s Curtain” with Don Corrigan.

The St. Louis native shares his experiences as a park ranger, what to expect as a visitor to a national park, and also his advocacy efforts to educate the public about climate change.

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Posted on March 31, 2016 in Environment, Podcasts

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Don Corrigan Steps Into The Spotlight At Seattle Conference

FB Don Pic In Seattle WA March 2016Environmental Echo Editor Don Corrigan presented his paper, “Black Faces, Natural Spaces,” last week at the 2016 American Cultural Association / Popular Culture Association (ACA/PCA) in Seattle, Washington.

See below to view Don’s presentation and more.

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Posted on March 29, 2016 in Environment, Home

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Fenton Wastewater Treatment Plant Repair Update & Public Meeting Scheduled

FB MeetingThe Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) says secondary treatment operations have restarted for the Fenton Wastewater Treatment Plant. A community update meeting has also been scheduled for Friday, April 8, 2016, at 6pm.  The meeting will take place at the City Hall for the City of Arnold.

More information and a video showing some of the repair process from MSD can be found below.

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Posted on March 29, 2016 in Local Events

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It’s Spring! Let’s Get Started In The Veggie Garden!

Pictured above: Jennifer Schamber.

What’s the best way to start a garden from scratch? Wondering what type of tomato to plant? How can you garden on a budget with success? Well, Environmental Echo has some answers to those questions.

Jennifer Schamber, the general manager of Greenscape Gardens, gives gardening advice and tips in this informative podcast. She talks about a variety of interesting gardening topics, including the importance of soil type, the place to find free plastic pots, the tried and true collection of veggies from Gateway Greening’s Perfect Picks, and even why many grocery store tomatoes don’t have that great homegrown tomato taste.

Schamber also explains how St. Louis is at the forefront and a leader in the awareness of issues facing pollinators, like bees and the Monarch butterfly.

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Posted on March 27, 2016 in Outdoor/Nature

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“Kirkwood In Bloom” Contributes To Special Tree Planting Event

bee-649952_1280Kirkwood in BLOOM, in association with the 2016 Kirkwood Earth Day Festival celebrating “The Beauty of the Bees,” will contribute a Wildfire black tupelo tree to be planted as part of Kirkwood’s annual Arbor Day tree planting.

 

For times and location please continue reading below.

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Posted on March 25, 2016 in Local Events

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Children’s Garden Club Gets Hands On With Nature

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Photos courtesy Doug Wolter.

“Gardening helps kids build self-esteem, teaches them to respect the environment and it teaches them about the science of plants,” said Doug Wolter,  longtime horticulturist with St. Louis County Parks & Recreation Department. “Better still, it’s an inexpensive hobby and just outside your back door.”

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Posted on March 20, 2016 in Home, Outdoor/Nature, Podcasts