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Discover Nature Notes

Missouri's Marsupial Moms

Peg Craft
May 12, 2019

These mammal moms are made for mobility. Opossums are the only marsupials in North America. Females have fur-lined front pouches to raise their large broods which are born blind and hairless, weighing less than a dime.  Despite their scruffy looks, these scavengers are natural cleaners, gobbling up thousands of ticks and eating cockroaches, rats, mice, and more.  Check them out in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Opossums

The Buzz on Flowers

Peg Craft
May 05, 2019

Flowers are a great way to show appreciation for Mother's Day. Discover how flowers came to be and how native plants help people and wildlife in this week's Discover Nature Note.

sweet bee on purple milkweed

Send in the Wrens

Peg Craft
Apr 28, 2019

They may be among the smallest songbirds, but they make their presence known with loud and persistent singing.  Hear from Carolina, house and Bewick's wrens in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Carolina Wren

Celebrating 50 Years of Urban Fishing

Peg Craft
Apr 21, 2019

In 1969, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon and the St. Louis Blues were in the Stanley Cup. To ease social tensions at that time, St. Louis became a national, pilot city for an urban fishing program. Catch the unique story of urban fishing and why it's so popular today in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Images of Urban Fishing Program

Spring Forests

Peg Craft
Apr 14, 2019

Forests are energy factories! Discover what's blooming and who's moving in Missouri forests this spring in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Meadowlark Melodies

Peg Craft
Apr 07, 2019

Eastern and Western meadowlarks sing a different tune, but both birds can be found in grasslands. They sing from perches and nest on the ground. Learn their different songs and find help identifying bird features in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Eastern Meadowlark Singing

Freshwater Mussels

Peg Craft
Mar 31, 2019

Freshwater mussels are a powerhouse for cleaning our waters. They have a fantasia-like way of reproducing with the help of host fish. Discover their power and risks, and how you can help protect them in this week's Discover Nature Note.

mussels

The Creature with a Mobile Home

Peg Craft
Mar 23, 2019

It's always on the move and brings it's home along too! It is both common and unusual. Its mouth is on the bottom of its foot. It has a foot but no leg. It leaves a trail wherever it goes. This mobile critter has a lot of mechanical features with special attachments. Learn more about this ancient creature found worldwide in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Sharp Hornsnail

The Bird with the Sky on Its Back

Peg Craft
Mar 17, 2019

Poet Henry David Thoreau wrote that the bluebird, "carries the sky on its back". Learn more about this symbol of happiness and how you can help them and watch them raise a family by building a nest box.

GAGA Over Ferns

Peg Craft
Mar 10, 2019

There are thousands of ferns with creative names and healthy features. You can now officially go "gaga" over them with a new genus of 19 plants named after Lady Gaga, inspired by a grammy costume and DNA sequencing. Discover the resurrection fern. It comes back to life, has been to space, and is used medicinally. Learn more in this week's Discover Nature Notes blog.

Maidenhair fern

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We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources.

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