Community Conservation

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From Missouri Conservationist: Mar 2009
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Taking Action

Troop 700 Earns Fishing Merit Badges

  • Group Featured: Boy Scout Troop 700 in St. Joseph exclusively serves boys with special needs in the Pony Express Council of Northwest Missouri/Northeast Kansas.
  • Group Mission: The Boy Scouts of America program mission is to prepare youth to become responsible and participating citizens with the ability to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lifetimes.
  • For More Information: Visit them online or call a local Boy Scout Council office to learn more about Boy Scouting programs. Offices are located in Columbia, Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis and Springfield.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 700 of St. Joseph recently earned their Fishing Merit Badges. The requirements for the Fishing Merit Badge were taught by Conservation Department Fisheries Regional Supervisor Harold Kerns and Eagle Scout Zach Kerns of Troop 60 in Savannah.

During the first session, the Scouts discussed fishing safety, tied basic fishing knots, and looked at various fishing lures, baits and fishing gear (rods and reels).

The much-anticipated second session was a fishing trip to a Missouri Western State University campus pond. Each Scout fished with a mentor (a Conservation Department employee, parent or volunteer) to provide assistance and support. All Scouts caught a fish—their first for some. First-timers were presented with First Fish Awards to commemorate the event. The Scouts and their families were then treated to a fish fry to demonstrate how something so fun to catch could result in a very tasty meal.—by Harold Kerns

Earth Day Celebrations

Check out the local festivities for this worldwide event.

Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 as a day of national environmental recognition, and it led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has since grown into an international campaign focused on awareness and citizen involvement. The international date for the event is April 22, but local dates may vary. Join the celebration at one of these fun, family-friendly events!

Columbia: Columbia’s Earth Day Festival will be held Sunday, April 19. The rain date is Sunday, April 26. For details, visit online or call (573) 874-3932.

Jefferson City: The Department of Natural Resources will sponsor and host its 15th Annual Earth Day Celebration Friday, April 24, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at the Capitol. For details, visit online or call (800) 361-4827.

Joplin: Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center will hold an Earth Day/Energy Festival on Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. For details, visit wildcatglades.audubon.org or call (417) 782-6287.

Kansas City: Bridging The Gap will host the 2009 EarthFest and EarthWalk on Saturday, May 9 at Theis Park, in partnership with KCMO Parks and Recreation and StoneLion Puppet Theatre. The EarthWalk is at 10 a.m. The EarthFest is from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. For details, visit online or call (816) 561-1061 ext. 128.

St. Louis: The 20th Annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival—the oldest and largest Earth Day Festival in the Midwest—will be held April 26, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., at Forest Park on the Muny Grounds. For details, visit online or call (314) 961-5838.

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
Photographer - Noppadol Paothong
Photographer - David Stonner
Designer - Stephanie Thurber
Artist - Dave Besenger
Artist - Mark Raithel
Circulation - Laura Scheuler