Volunteers sought to help transform Powder Valley Nature Center during Summer Service Slam July 12

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Kirkwood, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation's Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is looking for a few good volunteers, or a lot, to help transform the nature center during a one-day, extreme makeover.

Powder Valley has been selected for this year’s Summer Service Slam Project by The Mission Continues, the nonprofit organization that redeploys veterans to serve in their local communities on new missions that harness their skills and dedication. The goal of The Mission Continues is to empower veterans to find new ways to serve, easing their transition back to civilian life.

The Summer Service Slam is a yearly project of The Mission Continues and FOX Sports Midwest. The Fourth Annual Service Slam will take place at the nature center on Saturday, July 12, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Veterans will be working alongside civilian volunteers of all ages on a variety of projects to improve the nature center. 

Projects participants will have the opportunity to work on include:

• Building a fire ring and seating area for public programs
• Cleaning the 3,000-gallon aquarium
• Servicing trails by adding mulch, creating log barriers, and repairing asphalt
• Building sitting benches along trails
• Making a 20-by-20-foot rain garden and installing a rain barrel
• Pond reconstruction
• Removal of invasive bush honeysuckle and garlic mustard

A Mission Continues Service Platoon will provide the organization, logistics and leadership.  Both veterans and volunteers from the public will provide the elbow grease to get the jobs done during 3-4 hours of focused work.

FOX Sports Midwest joins the effort as a media partner.  They will produce a feature story about the Service Slam the day of the event which will be broadcast during a future Cardinals baseball game.

Volunteers are encouraged to join The Mission Continues veterans for a family-friendly day to do some work, get a little dirty, and accomplish a lot of good.  Tools, work gloves, snacks and water will be provided.  A free lunch will also be served for all volunteers.  Participants should come dressed for the weather and prepared for physical activity.  For more information on the Summer Service Slam Program and how to volunteer, go to https://www.missioncontinues.org/summerserviceslam/ .

Missourians care about conservation, and the Summer Service Slam on July 12 is an opportunity for anyone interested to get actively involved in improving the nature center and make a meaningful contribution to both conservation and their community.

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is owned and operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation.  It is located at 11715 Cragwold Road, near the intersection of I-270 and I-44 in Kirkwood.  Those interested in finding out more can also call the nature center at 314-301-1500.