A Quarterly Newsletter for Members and Friends of Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary

THE SANCTUARY Issue #1-20

From the Sanctuary By Michael Sandy Time to sign up for EGADS, SUMMER CAMP starting April 7th, members sign up starting March 3rd. Summer Camp is Monday through Friday for various age groups. Each week has it’s own theme and adventures. Please sign up early as some weeks fill quickly. If you wait until the last minute T-shirts and spots may not be available. If you know any high school seniors or early college students wanting experience in education please tell them to volunteer with Martha Lafite’s summer camp program. It is GREAT experience for future educators! Thank you to all the members that have renewed their membership. We could NOT keep the Nature Sanctuary open with out your donations. MLTNS WISHLIST - Tractor with backhoe and brush hog, tennis ball cans, solar SUNFLOWER, riding mower. Please remember, visit our GIFTSHOP for unique Birthday Gifts!

HOUSE PSEUDOSCORPION (CHELIFER CANCROIDES) BY Collin Edwards, Naturalist Between the pages of that New York Times bestselling book you shelved years ago could exist a plethora of fauna. Carpet and cigarette beetle larvae may be found feasting on the pages. Springtails may inhabit books exposed to humidity and book lice may be found feeding upon molds and fungi between volumes. While each of these creatures do their part to damage your book collection, there is one other inhabitant that comes to the aid of bibliophiles – the house pseudoscorpion. The words “scorpion” and “house” in combination often elicit concerned or fearful responses. However, the house pseudoscorpion is no scorpion at all and due to the species small size, less than two-tenths of an inch, Collin Edwards 2019 homeowners very infrequently notice their helpful presence. Pseudoscorpions, like scorpions, are arachnids. But despite similarities in appearance, each belong to completely different orders. Both possess similar claw-like appendages and similar body shapes. A significant difference is the Pseudoscorpion’s lack of a stinging tail. Instead, the claw-like appendages, or pedipalps, of the pseudoscorpion contain venom glands for subduing prey. Additionally, pseudoscorpions lack lungs unlike scorpions. Another unique feature is the house pseudoscorpion’s ability to spin a silken cocoon which it uses for protection during molting, mating, and outlasting cold temperatures. Indeed the house pseudoscorpion, despite its stature, is the predator of the bookshelf. This small creature maintains a diet of even smaller creatures including the book lice and springtails mentioned above, as well as dust mites and other larvae. Males maintain small territories of only a few centimeters where they hunt and mate. Once mated, females may have broods of 20-40 young, which will travel on her body until they are mature enough to survive on their own. Overall, a pseudoscorpion may live up to 3-4 years. One of the oddest behaviors of the pseudoscorpion is the means by which it travels. Many of these animals start their lives outdoors; under bark, in wood and leaf litter. But to arrive indoors they often hitch a ride, referred to as phoresis. Phoresis is the act of using another animal as a mode of transportation. In the case of the pseudoscorpion, they latch onto larger insects using their claws and these insects bring them indoors. As long as people have collected papers, house pseudoscorpions have lived among them. In fact, Aristotle provided the first account of an encounter with one of these tiny animals. Next time you visit the Roger C. Lee Memorial Library at the Nature Sanctuary, ruffle through the pages of a North American birding field guide, graze through a copy of Sand County Almanac and see if you can spot a tiny hunter within the pages.

The mission of the Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary is to provide:  Engaging, hands-on environmental and natural science education for all ages  Biodiversity of native plants and animals through wise management of our natural resources  Understanding that all Earth’s inhabitants are part of complex, interdependent ecosystems, and  Opportunities for quiet reflection and reconnection with the natural world A Quarterly Newsletter for Members and Friends of Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary THE SANCTUARY

Page 2 Issue #1-20

WINTER AND SPRING PROGRAMS FOR THE FAMILY! Call to pre-register (781-8598). Tuesday, March 17: ST. PATRICK’S DAY Tuesday, March 3 Members exclusive early registration begins for EGADS Saturday, March 14 Cub Scouts (Wolves): Paws on the Path summer camp Follow the website link on line. Take a hike with our naturalist and learn about how to be prepared while out walking in the wilderness as we complete the Paws on the Wednesday, March 4 Path adventure! Please call to register, 816-781-8598. HOMESCHOOLERS (6 and up): Missouri Symbols Time: 2:00 - 3:30pm Fees: $5/child w/adult Did you know Missouri has a state flower, a state dinosaur, and a state Rank: Wolf MLTNS Members: $3/child grass? Learn more about our state symbols and look for some on the Nature Sanctuary property. Friday, March 20 SPRING 'N STARS Time:1:00 - 2:30pm Fees: $5/child, $10/family Join us for our monthly astronomy program. During this program we'll Age: 6 and up MLTNS Members: $3/child, $5/family take a look at the planet Saturn and learn the constellations Canis Major, Leo and Cassiopeia. Limit 25. Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm Friday & Saturday, March 6, 7, 13 & 14 (dates are subject to Age: 6 and up Fees: $8/1 adult and 1 child, or $10/family change) WOODCOCK WATCH MLTNS Members: $3/1 adult and 1 child, or $5/family Join us as we observe the mating ritual of the American Woodcock. Tuesday, March 19: FIRST DAY OF SPRING/ VERNAL We'll start off with some background on what we will (hopefully) be EQUINOX - Day and night are equal in length. seeing when we head outside to watch for their aerial displays. Bring your binoculars and lawn chairs if you have them. The courtship of the Saturday, March 21 LUNCH WITH THE BIRDS American Woodcock can only be witnessed in the month of March. Bring your lunch and sit in the bird viewing area to watch and discuss We try to pick a good day for viewing them, and with any wildlife birding then go on a birding hike. Time: 12:00 - 1:30pm viewing there is no guarantee our intended wildlife will show, but Fee: Free, donations welcome to help feed the birds we've had some really good viewing in recent years. Age: 6 and up Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm (runs late) Fee: $5 per person Saturday, March 28 PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE KICKOFF Be sure to stop by and say hello at the Passport to Adventure Kickoff Friday, March 6 PRESCHOOLERS: MISSOURI SYMBOLS at the Independence Center Mall, Did you know Missouri has a state flower, a state dinosaur, and a 18001 East 39th Street S, Independence, MO 64057 state grass? Learn more about our state symbols and look for some Time: 11 - 3pm Ages: Family on the Nature Sanctuary property. Time: 1:00 – 2:00pm Fees: $5/child $10/family Saturday, March 28 Age: 3 - 6 years MLTNS Members: $3/child $5/family CANDLELIGHT NIGHT HIKE / EARTH HOUR Turn off your lights and come out to the Nature Sanctuary for a SATURDAY, MARCH 7 MLTNS GROUNDS WORK / L&R candlelight night hike. Bring an earth friendly candle. Please call to WORKDAY register, 816-781-8598. Time: 8:30 - 9:30pm Come see how we maintain MLTNS and participate in this work day Age: Family Fee: Donations are appreciated to help keep the wildlife habitats wild and healthy. (Get volunteer Tuesday, March 24: NEW MOON service hours.) Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm Age: 14 and up CALL 816-781-8598, OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 14, 21, 28 SATURDAY StoryTime (WWW.NATURESANCTUARY.COM), FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS AND EVENTS On Saturdays, come hear a naturalist read a tale about an exciting animal. Afterwards, we’ll make a fun craft to take home. Please call to Wednesday, April 1 register, 816-781-8598 Fees: Donations are appreciated HOMESCHOOLERS (6 AND UP): AMIABLE AMPHIBIANS Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm Learn about the wet, wondrous, and weird, world of amphibians! Meet Age: 3 and up plenty of live amphibious creatures and make a cold-blooded craft! Time: 1:00 – 2:30pm Ages: 6 and up

Fees: $5/child, $10/family Members: $3/child, $5/family SATURDAY, MARCH 7 GIRL SCOUTS (DAISIES); 3 CHEERS FOR ANIMALS WORKSHOP Friday, April 3 PRESCHOOLERS: AMIABLE AMPHIBIANS Girls will learn about animal care inside and outside at the Sanctuary Learn about the wet, wondrous, and weird, world of amphibians! Meet and meet some of our animals up close! They will also learn about plenty of live amphibious creatures and make a cold-blooded craft! caring for wildlife in their daily lives with the aid of recycled materials. Time: 1:00 – 2:00pm Fees: $5/child, $10/family Time: 1:00 - 3:00pm Fees: $5/child w/adult Ages: 3-6 years Members: $3/child, $5/family Rank: Daisy MLTNS Members: $3/child Friday, April 3 ASTRONOMY - SPRING 'N STARS Sunday, March 8:FULL MOON AND During this program we'll take a look at the stars Regulus, Sirius and DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS Arcturus, learn the constellations Virgo and Bootes, and look at the

Saturday, March 14 & 28 LIVE ANIMAL FEEDING “Beehive” Cluster. Limit 25. Please call to register, 816-781-8598. Time: 3:00pm until they’re done Time: 7:30 – 9:00pm Fees: Free! Give a donation to help with animal care costs. Ages: 6 and up Fees: $5/1 adult and 1 child, or $10/family

CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE  A Quarterly Newsletter for Members and Friends of Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary THE SANCTUARY

Page 3 Issue #1-20 MLTNS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS CONTINUED Call to pre-register (816-781-8598). Saturday, April 4 MLTNS Grounds Work / L&R Workday Saturday, April 4 Come see how we maintain MLTNS and participate in this work day Big Bunny Bash Liberty Easter Egg Hunt at Liberty Hospital to help keep the wildlife habitats wild and healthy. (Get volunteer Spend the morning hunting for eggs at this event put on by the City of service hours.) Liberty in partnership with Liberty Hospital. Visit our booth and meet Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm Age: 14 and up our Easter bunny! Time: 2:00-4:00pm Age: Family Saturday, April 4, 11, 18, 25 SATURDAY StoryTime On Saturdays, come hear a naturalist read a tale about an exciting animal. Afterwards, we’ll make a fun craft to take home. Tuesday, April 7 Time: 1:30 – 2:30 Fee: Free Age: 3 and up OPEN Registration for Saturday, April 4 Girl Scouts (Daisies): Daisy Petal Workshop EGADS summer camp Come learn ways to make the world a better place and use resources http://www.naturesanctuary.com/egads.html for further information wisely. We’ll also talk more on how to respect ourselves and others. and to print the mail-in registration form. Girls will help make a shelter for small animals to use as a den, explore the exhibits in the nature center, and reuse what many might consider April - It’s a good time to start looking for Morel mushrooms! But trash to be a bird feeder. Finally, the girls will meet an animal up close. there is NO COLLECTING mushrooms (or any natural artifacts) We’ll also discuss how to treat both animals and people respectfully. allowed at Martha Lafite Time: 3:00-5:00pm Fees: $5/child w/adult Wednesday April 8: FULL MOON Rank: Daisy MLTNS Members: $3/child Thank you so much from Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary! THE SPONSORS Hallmark Cards Inc. Corporate Philanthropy, East Clay Rotary, Brandt’s Clothing, Commerce Bank, Capitol Federal Foundation, Bank Liberty, Crowley Furniture, No Pain Jane Dentistry, Irven E & Nevada P Linscomb Foundation, Backyard Bird Center, Vlamis Family Foundation

THE MEMBER SUPPORT Ray Dahlberg Crystal Harper William & Doyne McKenzie Ryan Family

Derek & Emily Ackart Jo Anna Dale Adam & Joanna Harrold Rebecca & Bryan McMahon Ryan Family Aimee & Brian Adams Mathew & Abigail Dahlberg Eric & Lynne Haynes Ryan McNellis George & Denise Sabol Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Allen Mr. and Mrs. Steven Davidson Ms. Anita Heckenbach Gregg & Julia Mees Paul and Holly Schenk Nickolle Allen Pauline Davis Janyne Heinrich Aaron & Trisha Meyer Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schmidt Grace Allen Davis Family Tom & Trina Henke Jennifer Mihelic Laura Seubert Kim & Mark Anderson Mr. Richard Dawson Ann Henning Helene R Miller Laura, Jake & Joey Seubert Robin Anderson Deichler Family Leonard Herman Lee and Judy Minor Susan Seyboth Stephen & Sarah Anderson A.H and Pat Deitrick Hess Family Christelle & Jeremy Morgan Lisa Shartzer Laurie Anderson John & Laura Denkler Lori Hillman Rebecca Morris & Sarah Pierce Regina Shaw-Ellis Ron Antwiler Mr. and Mrs. John Dillingham Joshua & Shawnda Hoops Juliet Myers Shawnda Gross Family Sharon Arnoldi Mark & Brooke Ditta Hoppenrath Family Chris & Debbie Name Margaret Shouse Arnone Family Dobbe and Mary Alice Dobberstine Horwitz Family Mark Nasteff & Amy Quinn Camron & Jennifer Simcox August & Christina Baanders Gail Doerr Stuart Gray & Heather Howard Calvin and Virginia Nelson Sinkhorn Family Anette Wilson & Richard Baker Harold and Jill Draper Christopher and Donna Hunt Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Nicholson Sinkhorn Family Diana Balthasar Arlon and LaDonna Ebright Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hupp Mrs. Norma Nicholson Smashey Family Paula & Gary Barger Nathan & Ruth Ellebracht Michael Huth Joel & Anne Nickel Smashey Family Barmann-Smith Family Andrew & Sara Ennis Jackson Family Joel & Anne Nickel Bob & Jeanette Lawson and Doug Fred and Carole Barth Erich & Kim Erikson Jansen Family Mr. and Mrs. Steve Nierman Smith Barton Family Fehlig Family Jantsch Family Mary & Keith Oberkrom Ms. Sallie E. Smith Shauna Beckner Mr. and Mrs. David Ferguson Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jones Patton Family Melissa Smith-Heath Mike & Anna Bedinger Fish Family Jones Family Betty Oldenburg Kathryn Snyder Biegelson Family Don & Carol Fletcher Duane & Cosette Kelly EH Oldenburg Mr. and Mrs. Steven Steinkamp Don & Joyce Bishop Vaugh & Tamar Fletcher Christopher & Laura Kitzmann Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Oyen Robert & Cheryl Steinkamp Mike & Margaret Ann Black Jason & Maia Foust Meredith Klamm Parretta Family Carmelita W. Stone Deborah Borek Rebecca Fowler Julia & Grant Knauff Parretta Family Stover Family Breigenzer Family Justin & Kelly Francis Everett Koehn Jason & Tiffany Patterson Molly Suddarth John and Linda Brennan Amie & Ryan Francois Natalia Kreinbring Jennifer Pederson Janson & Laura Swanson Bridges Family Tracie Gailey Lanclos Family Lorna Pence Irene Thomas Jutta Brill April & John Galambos Bob & Jeannette Lawson and Doug Perry Family Vera & Tom Thomas Richard Burns Gardner Family Smith Kent & Cindy Peterson Kristi Thomas Mr. and Mrs. John Burroughs Mr. and Mrs. Steve Garvey Ms. Nancy G. Leisinger Ken and Julie Phalp Jeff and Amy Thornton Patrick Alan & Heather Campbell Brian & Holly Gaudreau Paul & Melanie Lively Larry & Julia Kitsmiller Pittman Allyson & Robie Thurston Shelly Campbell William & Carla George Virginia Long Ms. Evalyn Powell Trammell Family Ms. Connie Carder Stephanie George Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Longworth Laura Raff Jeff Scherr & Sarah Tuttle-Scherr Ms. Brenda Carpenter Glazier Family Mr. and Mrs. Bill Lorimer Elizabeth Carlyle Raine Mr. and Mrs. Chris Valentine Ann M Carroll Glenn Ken and Diana Ludwig Jeanne Ralston Virginia & Michael Vanderford Vicki Catt Jay, Julie & Jacob Goodman Lundgren Family Sandra Rasa Jan Venable Steve and Sharon Caylor Ms. Suzanne Gough Don & Stephanie MacNeil Angie & Kashif Rathore Laura Oberkrom & Sara Walton Ms. Wendy Coffey Kevin and Kim-Marie Graham Diana & Vince Maggio Rebecca McMahon Family Jennifer and Larry Weimhold Mr. and Mrs. Matt Cole Graham Family Melva Mahoney Charles & Marilyn Rhoades Swnson/Davison Family Cathy & Rick Cole Greenblatt Family Marcia Malotte Dorothy A Richey David & Brittany White Stacie & Paula Cooley & Andy Harken Gretchen & Jeff Martin Family Hillary&Aaron Marshall Rachel & Jason Richter Linda Williams Scott & Lisa Cooper Mary Grinter Gretchen & Jeff Martin Family Tom and Mona Riggs Sheryl E Williams Crystal Cooper & James Scheckel Rebecca & Rob Groebe Jeanne Mason Mellody & Jack Riley Dr. Carol Blum and Steven Wilson Fletcher & Rachael Cox Shawnda Gross & Keegan Mikessell Brian & Rachel Mason Mitzi Risetter Heather Wolken Scott Cozad Margaret Grote Jason & April McCoy Jennifer & Mike Robert Wolters Family Greg and Beth Crowley Susan & Tom Guiffre Jennifer & Wade McCullough Wesley Rogers Worthley Family Marci Cunningham & David Schnieders Sarah & Fletcher Gustafson Sara McDonald & Jim Burke Mr. and Mrs. Frank Roth Derric & Lara Young Stacie & Paula Cooley & Andy Harken Mark and Melanie McKellar Stewart Russell & Catherine Raine

 MLTNS SHARING NATURE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY  A Quarterly Newsletter for Members and Friends of Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary THE SANCTUARY

Page 2 Issue #1-20

WINTER AND SPRING PROGRAMS FOR THE FAMILY! Call to pre-register (781-8598). Saturday, April 11 & 25 Wednesday, May 6 LIVE ANIMAL FEEDING Homeschoolers: Slithering Snakes Watch our snakes, turtles and other animals do what comes natural: Learn about the many snakes that dwell in Missouri. We’ll take a hike, eating! See what you can do to help with their care. meet real live snakes, and make a snake craft to take home! Time: 3:00 pm until they’re done Fees: Free! Donation help with Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pm Fees: $5/child, $10/family animal care. Ages: 6 and up Members: $3/child, $5/family

Monday and Tuesday, April 21 & 22: LYRID METEOR SHOWER Wednesday, May 6 It is produced by dust particles left behind the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher Wednesday, April 22: EARTH DAY ASTRONOMY: THE ETA AQUARIDS METEOR WATCH

Wednesday, April 22 Earth Day Celebration Observe the moon and watch for the meteor shower in Aquarius. Take an Earth Day hike with us! We’ll also make a planter out of Limit 25. Please call to register. recyclable materials to take home. Time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm Fees: $5/1 adult and 1 child, or $10/family Time: 1:00-2:00 Fees: $5/child w/adult Ages: 6 and up Members: $3/1 adult and 1 child, or $5/family Ages: 3 and up MLTNS Members: $3/child Thursday, May 7: FULL MOON Saturday, April 18 Friday, May 8 Preschoolers: Slithering Snakes Cub Scouts (Webelos): Into the Wild Learn about the many snakes that dwell in Missouri. We’ll take a hike, It’s going to be wild as we learn about the animals that inhabit the meet real live snakes, and make a snake craft to take home! world around us! Along the way we’ll complete the requirements for Time: 1:00 - 2:00pm Fees: $5/child, $10/family and accompanying adult the Into the Wild adventure. Ages: 3-6 years Members: $3/child, $5/family and accompanying adult Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am Fees: $5/child w/adult Rank: Webelos MLTNS Members: $3/child Saturday, May 9

Friday, April 24: NATIONAL ARBOR DAY Northland Wood Carvers – Here every month

Saturday, April 25 on the second Saturday Watch and talk to local wood carvers as they show off their talents! WOODLAND WILDFLOWER WALK Each month they will come out on the second Saturday just for you to Spring ephemerals and woodland trees are blooming. For the see their work. If you are careful, you might even learn something. educational hike on the trail, wear good hiking shoes and bring your Time: 10am - 3:00 pm camera if you would like. Limit 25. Please call to register. (No picking flowers or collecting at The Sanctuary, please) Saturday, May 9 Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm Fees: $5 donation recommended/person Ages: Family Members: Free Cub Scouts (Tiger): Backyard Jungle The world around us is teeming with wildlife and some of them live Friday, May 1: MAY DAY - Plant a flower on this day. right in your backyard. No matter where you live, animals are around

us and we’ll learn about a few as we complete the Backyard Jungle Saturday, May 2 adventure. Girl Scouts (Brownies); Wonders of Water Time: 2:00 – 3:00pm Fees: $5/child w/adult Rank: Tiger MLTNS Members: $3/child Workshop: Creek Commotion Spend the afternoon splashing in Rush Creek as we learn about various Saturday, May 9 & 23 aspects of the water system around us. Girls will learn about and assist LIVE ANIMAL FEEDING in different techniques for measuring water quality. We’ll explore the Watch our snakes, turtles and other animals do what comes natural: creek and discover the diverse wildlife that calls the creek home. Our eating! See what you can do to help with their care. naturalists will also discuss with the girls ways that they can help to Time: 3:00 pm until they’re done protect our lakes, rivers and streams. Girls may get knee deep in the Fees: Free! Give a donation to help with animal care costs. creek so please wear appropriate clothing and closed toed footwear.

Time: 1:00 – 3:00pm Fee: $5/child w/adult Rank: Brownies MLTNS Members: $3/child Thursday, May 14 SPRING STROLL

Saturday, May 2, 9, 16, 23 GUIDED HIKE Relax, stretch and hike for exercise and fun on the trails at MLTNS SATURDAY StoryTime led by a knowledgeable staff naturalist. Meet at the Nature Center On Saturdays come hear a naturalist read a tale about an exciting unless instructed otherwise. Please call to register. nature related topic. Afterwards, we’ll make a fun craft to take home. Time: 4:00pm Fees: $5 recommended donation/hiker Time: 1:30 – 2:30 Fees: Donations are appreciated Ages: All Ages: 3 and up

CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE  Page 4 THE SANCTUARY A Quarterly Newsletter for Members and Friends of Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary Issue #1-20

THE SANCTUARY #1-20 Non-profit Org. MARTHA LAFITE THOMPSON U.S. postage paid Permit #50 NATURE SANCTUARY Liberty, MO 407 N LA FRENZ ROAD LIBERTY, MISSOURI 64068

TO CURRENT RESIDENT or

More info at the website www.NatureSanctuary .com

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS President ...... Anne Nickel President elect ...... Bill George Secretary ...... Debra Ahern Treasurer ...... Kent Scheible Richard Burns, ...... Joe DeBold, Steve Karol, ...... Amy Petersen, Waiva Worthley, ..... Rolland Yoakum Hours

THE NATURE CENTER THE SANCTUARY AND TRAILS MLTNS STAFF Tuesday - Saturday April through September Director ...... Michael Sandy 9am - 5pm open daily 8am - 8pm Naturalist ...... Collin Edwards Assistant Naturalist ...... Opal Fields Closed Holidays plus 1 day October - March Admin. Assistant ...... Daranya Rasa open daily 8am - 5pm

...... Tammy Maples Hiking trails are open every day unless whether hazards (such as Maintenance ...... Frank Gannon lightning, winds, falling trees, etc) or construction/maintenance Newsletter ...... Audrey Pruessner hazards dictate.

 MLTNS “THE NATURE SANCTUARY” 