Springfield Nature Center events to focus on famed conservationist

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News from the region
Southwest
Published Date
11/03/2011
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SPRINGFIELD MO -- Aldo Leopold spent the first four decades of the 20th century teaching and promoting conservation. “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold’s book that talked about the importance of developing a “land ethic,” is still considered a classic of the American conservation movement today.

Two November programs at the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Springfield Conservation Nature Center will focus on how Leopold’s writings are still relevant today.

On Friday, Nov. 18, from 1-4 p.m., or Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon, the Nature Center will offer a seminar in Leopold Education Project (LEP) training. This introductory LEP training event will be presented by two certified facilitators. These two half-day seminars are designed for parents, educators (formal and non-formal) and group leaders. Using “A Sand County Almanac,” participants will take part in a variety of hands-on outdoor explorations to help them learn how to “read the land.” The class is free, but there is a $20 fee for required workshop materials. Please bring a check made payable to Missouri State University and dress for the outdoors. This program is for ages 15-adult.

Leopold and his work will also be the focus of another program at the Nature Center. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, the film “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic For Our Time” will be premiered in the Nature Center auditorium during the presentation – Movie, Music and Musings. Through Leopold’s examples, the film challenges viewers to contemplate their own relationships with nature. The evening will include Leopold-inspired live music performed by Curt Carter, a certified facilitator with the national Leopold Education Project. This program is for ages 12-adult. The program is part of the Nature Center’s “Nature and the Arts” programs.

To register for either of these programs or for more information, contact the Springfield Conservation Nature Center at 417-888-4237 or visit www.missouriconservation.org and search "Springfield Nature Center."