Conservation Education

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From Missouri Conservationist: Sep 2007
Body

Nature Activity

Columbia Bottom CA

  • Where: Confluence of Missouri and Mississippi rivers in St. Louis
  • Features: 4,318-acre area including more than 6.5 miles of river frontage, 800 acres of forest and a 110-acre island; the Howard and Joyce Wood Education and Visitor Center housing many natural history exhibits; eight Exploration Stations throughout the area
  • Things to do: Observe and/or photograph birds and wildlife, enjoy visitor center programs and activities, take an auto tour, hike, bike, canoe or kayak, fish and participate in managed hunts
  • For more info: (314) 877-6014

Exploring big-river ecology near the big city—that’s what the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is all about. Located in north St. Louis County, it gives visitors an intimate view of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. A mosaic of shallow wetlands, bottomland hardwoods, prairie and cropland attract resident and migratory wildlife, including bald eagles, waterfowl, trumpeter swans, northern harriers, indigo buntings, gold finches and woodpeckers. The Howard and Joyce Wood Education and Visitor Center provides programs and houses exhibits. Visit this fall to watch migrating birds and learn more about the big-river area’s ever-changing landscape.

New Education Program

Learning Outdoor Schools “passed” the field test.

Outdoors is the best place for students to learn how nature works. This premise shaped the Department’s new Learning Outdoors Schools, a statewide conservation education program that rolls out this month. “Teachers helped us develop this, so we’re confident that it will meet their needs, both in the classroom and in the field,” said Lorna Domke, the Department’s Outreach and Education Division chief. After a year of testing the curriculum and its field activities, one Missouri middle school teacher wrote, “MDC resources are great, a teacher’s best friend.” Key elements of the program include free instructional units that meet current testing needs, as well as grants for field trips and teaching materials. The first unit, available this month, teaches 6th through 8th graders about aquatic ecosystems via such activities as fishing and stream exploration. Units for elementary and high school grades will follow in 2008 and 2009. The elementary curriculum will focus on wildlife and habitat, and high school students will learn about ecology and wildlife management. Educators interested in the Learning Outdoors Schools Program should contact their local conservation education consultants and outdoor skills specialists.

Cave and Karst Symposium

Some programs open to educators and public

The Department of Conservation and the Missouri Caves and Karst Conservancy will hold the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium in St. Louis, Oct. 8 through 12.

The Monday field trip and workshops are open to educators. The Oct. 9 panel discussion titled “Managing Caves and Karst in the 21st Century” is open to the public at the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center.

Powder Valley will also exhibit cave photos throughout October.

This Issue's Staff

Editor in Chief - Ara Clark
Managing Editor - Nichole LeClair
Art Director - Cliff White
Writer/editor - Tom Cwynar
Staff Writer - Bonnie Chasteen
Staff Writer - Jim Low
Staff Writer - Arleasha Mays
Photographer - Noppadol Paothong
Photographer - David Stonner
Designer - Stephanie Ruby
Artist - Dave Besenger
Artist - Mark Raithel
Circulation - Laura Scheuler