Newsletter of the Missouri Parks Association Post Office Box 30036, Columbia, MO 65205

Volume 25, No. 1 March 2007 Susan Flader, Editor CAFO’s Threaten Missouri State Parks And Historic Sites

Citizens in the vicinity of three ily farmers against agribusiness gi- ally hosts some 600,000 visitors. of Missouri's state parks and his- ants, farmers who have elected to Here too DNR has already issued a toric sites—Battle of Athens in the contract with them for CAFOs, the construction permit, but local oppo- far northeastern corner of the state, Missouri Farm Bureau, and their nents have formed Friends of Roar- Arrow Rock in central Missouri, political allies. ing River and vow to appeal the and Roaring River in the south- decision. Although waters from the west—are making common cause First to apply for a CAFO permit Ozbun farm drain to Roaring River against applications to DNR's Clean was Terry Daw Farms for a 4,800- downstream from the park, the op- Water Commission for permits to hog operation near Battle of Athens eration is only a few miles from build and operate concentrated ani- State Historic Site in Clark County, Table Rock Lake, site of another mal feeding operations (CAFOs) where manure from the operation popular state park that was touted in that threaten visitors' enjoyment of could be spread on a field within MPA's 1992 book, Exploring Mis- the parks. Meanwhile, the State fifty feet of the popular park camp- souri's Legacy, for the stunning Park Division, also within DNR, has ground. DNR has already issued a clarity of its waters. No more. been told not to oppose the permits construction permit, taking the posi- With dozens of poultry CAFOs re- and the State Park Advisory Board, tion that if the application meets the cently located in Barry and nearby appointed by the governor, has minimum water quality standards counties (the greatest concentration voted to table a motion that would the state is obligated by law to issue of CAFOs in the state), along with support a five-mile buffer around the permit within 180 days. Mis- septic wastes from an expanding state parks and historic sites. souri has no standards regulating human population, Table Rock is odor for any but the largest CAFOs, now severely polluted. What is going on? Missouri's more than 17,500 hogs or equiva- ever-popular state parks, visited lent. Unfortunately, local opponents each year by some 18 million peo- of the two CAFOs in opposite cor- ple and funded by a sales tax re- Next up was a 65,000 chicken ners of the state were unaware until newed last August by an astounding pullet operation 1.5 miles east of recently of their common plight. So 71 percent of voters statewide, are Roaring River, one of the state's was MPA. That began to change in up against Missouri's sacred cow, popular "trout parks," which annu- the industrialized livestock industry. (See "CAFO’s" on Page 3) In this case, CAFOs—which are really factories, not farms—for growing hogs at Athens and Arrow Rock and for chickens at Roaring Save September 28-30, 2007, River. Every ten years, as in 2006, for MPA’s Annual Meeting in Arrow Rock. supporters of parks work amicably with farm interests for renewal of Reserve your room now at an Arrow Rock B@B the Parks and Soils Sales Tax, split (Bunny’s 660-837-3352, DownOver 660-837-3268, evenly between state parks and soil and water conservation. But the Borgman’s 660-837-3231, or check current disputes pit park supporters, www.arrowrock.org) or a motel rural residents and many small fam- in Marshall or Boonville. Page 2 The Missouri Parks Association

MPA President’s Message Protecting Our Missouri State Parks Is A Never-Ending Task by Terry Whaley

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve we hope to assist park staff in developing a vision for as your new president of MPA over the next year. the future of your parks that will carry Missouri's With the renewal of the park tax successfully past us state park system to the next level for generations to for a few years one might think that there is little to come. do in regard to our state parks. The process is exciting and challenging. However, Not the case. As much as we would like to have all new dreams for a top-flight park system will take am- our current parks fully protected from impacts outside ple resources. In addition to maintaining what we their boundaries, we all know that a park does not have, there are always suggestions for additional stand alone. All the players in nature are inter- parks and historic sites. Our wishes for protection connected, whether through natural impacts such as and enhancement of the system will come with the storms, floods, and droughts or manmade such as ani- need for citizens committed to help realize the dream. mal feeding operations, urban sprawl or even over- use in some of our most popular parks. I invite you to let us know what your vision is for the future of your park system, and to join in making that The task of preserving and protecting our parks and vision a reality by renewing your membership or in- their related resources is a full time and never-ending cluding an additional gift to MPA. As always, take task. MPA continues to work with the dedicated staff time to get out and enjoy the many opportunities the of the park division to offer a greater level of enjoy- Missouri State Park System has to offer. ment to the residents of Missouri. Over the next year

MPA Thanks You For The Passage Of Amendment 1 By Ron Coleman Past President, MPA

The Missouri Parks Association extends a hearty thanks to all who worked in support of Amendment 1. On August 8, 2006 Missouri voters overwhelmingly expressed their support for renewal of the Parks and Soils Sales Tax by a 71 percent "Yes" vote. The reau- thorization passed statewide in all but three rural coun- ties.

The success was owing in large part to the hard work In recognition of their outstanding lifetime contributions to of the Citizens’ Committee for Soil, Water and State conservation and the environment Leo and Kay Drey received the Parks, a coalition of many statewide conservation and prestigious Conservation Special Achievement Award of the agricultural groups. MPA members and many partner- National Wildlife Federation at its annual meeting last November ing organizations who felt strongly about the value of in Washington, DC. Leo was a founder of MPA and has been a longtime faithful board member. He and Kay are shown here at our state parks and soil and water conservation pro- his recent 90th birthday celebration with former MPA President grams gave freely of their time, talent and resources. Ron Coleman, who coordinated the nomination. Congratulations, Leo and Kay! MPA worked in the legislature for three years to get Amendment 1 placed on the ballot as a referendum and also helped to raise thousands of dollars in private funds to help educate the voting public about the importance of our Missouri State Parks.

The funding will now be in place until 2016 when citizens must again reauthorize it, but next time the measure will be placed automatically on the ballot. All Missourians were winners with the passage of Amendment 1. Thank you for your support!

Page 3 The Missouri Parks Association

("CAFO’s" from Page 1) in his "State of the State" message edge agriculture but that the prob-

December, after Dennis Gessling endorsed a bill, the Missouri Farm lem of odor must be addressed. notified adjoining landowners that and Food Preservation Act (SB They see Arrow Rock as an oppor- he was applying for a construction 364), introduced by Senator Chris tunity to demonstrate that odor can permit for a 4,800-hog operation in Koster (R-Harrisonville) that would be mitigated. Saline County. One of the landown- prevent county or local governments ers happened to be active in Friends from controlling the impact of CA- Citizens to Protect State Parks of Arrow Rock and realized that the FOs through local health ordi- and Historic Sites, MPA, and others operation was less than two miles nances, the only remaining potential think that Arrow Rock is not the upwind from the historic village. control. The bill, supported by the place to experiment. They regard Arrow Rock not only hosts the state Farm Bureau and a coalition of agri- current Missouri law as wholly in- historic site and a popular state park business interests, would eliminate adequate to regulate CAFOs. The campground but is also a National nearly 200 local statutes and bar any General Assembly has systemati- Historic Landmark and has a sum- trespassing lawsuits against agricul- cally stripped DNR of funding and mer repertory company, the Arrow tural enterprises, which could in- hence personnel in recent years, Rock Lyceum Theatre. More than clude ethanol and biodiesel plants as emasculating its enforcement capa- 150,000 visitors a year stroll the well as CAFOs. The bill would in bility. For the class of CAFOs at streets, even though the resident effect protect the rights of industrial issue near each of the three parks, population is only 79. The National operations, which make up only a DNR relies on self-monitoring and Trust for Historic Preservation last fraction of one percent of Missouri's citizen complaints regarding water year named Arrow Rock one of a 105,000 farms, while negating local pollution. But the agency has never Dozen Distinctive Destinations in controls to protect the health and yet shut down a CAFO, despite the United States. property rights of small farmers and complaints and clear violations of other rural residents. state or federal regulations. Arrow Rock supporters spurred a deluge of letters and meetings with Despite a jam-packed hearing Moreover, many park supporters the Saline County Commission, the February 28 with more than 100 in MPA and other organizations are State Park Advisory Board, DNR people who could not fit in the hear- disturbed by the muzzling of state Director Doyle Childers, Governor ing room, many of whom were op- park officials on this matter. They Matt Blunt and a host of other pub- ponents of SB 364, the Senate Agri- believe that, whatever his legal obli- lic officials elected and appointed. culture, Conservation, Parks and gations regarding the permitting of Realizing that they were unlikely to Natural Resources Committee voted CAFOs, the director of the Depart- get any effective support from DNR 6-2 to send the bill to the floor of ment of Natural Resources has a leaders, who kept emphasizing their the senate, where Senator Wes concurrent responsibility for stew- limited discretion to do anything but Shoemyer (D-Clarence), an advo- ardship of Missouri's irreplaceable ensure that applications complied cate for small family farmers, has legacy of state parks, and they have with Missouri law regarding water said he would probably filibuster it. seen little evidence that the depart- quality, they formed a new group, ment is weighing this obligation in Citizens to Protect State Parks and Another bill introduced by Rep- the balance. Historic Sites, to seek legal help in resentative Steve Hobbs (R- drafting and introducing legislation Mexico), obviously inspired by the MPA remains committed to the that would prohibit CAFOs from issue at Arrow Rock, would give values that have aligned us over the locating within five miles of any CAFO farmers a tax credit for 50 years with agricultural interests, state park or historic site. The percent of the costs to adopt new especially soil and water conserva- measure was introduced by House technologies for abating odors such tion and the quality of rural life. We Minority Leader Jeff Harris of Co- as air filter systems and tree screens. encourage members to express their lumbia. It was a resolution to sup- The Gessling operation at Arrow views to their legislators and to port this concept that was tabled by Rock proposes to use tree screens. Governor Matt Blunt and DNR Di- the State Park Advisory Board amid Both Department of Agriculture rector Doyle Childers about the concern about property rights. The Director Fred Ferrell, who was since need for appropriate regulation of board will meet at Arrow Rock in terminated on an unrelated issue, CAFOs in order to protect the qual- April to further consider the matter. and DNR Director Childers ex- ity of rural life and the special val- pressed support for the measure, ues of our state parks and historic In the meantime, Governor Blunt arguing that CAFOs are cutting- sites.

Page 4 The Missouri Parks Association Taum Sauk Rebuild Looms Over Johnson's Shut-ins And Church Mountain

Ameren's plans to rebuild its turned political when the Associated going and Ameren also planning for Taum Sauk Upper Reservoir, which Press reported that Attorney General the future of its power generation failed catastrophically a year ago Jay Nixon, a Democrat, had ac- facilities, MPA and other conserva- December 14, appear to be on a fast track. And top DNR officials suggest that any effort to slow down the process in order to allow consideration of a broader array of issues could impede redevelop- ment at Johnson's Shut- ins. MPA has stated that larger issues must be ad- dressed, especially the fate of nearby Church Mountain, which Ameren has sought to use for a second hydroplant and MPA argues should be added to the state park system in partial recom- pense for the destruction of public values by the reservoir collapse.

Park officials com- pleted a conceptual re- MPA members rest in a glade on Church Mountain. design of Johnson's Shut-ins last cepted some $19,000 from Ameren tion organizations reiterated their summer and fall and are eager to for his 2008 gubernatorial cam- priority concern about protection of proceed with construction so that paign, and DNR Director Doyle Church Mountain to the various par- the park can be made available for Childers, who serves at the pleasure ties. MPA's fall meeting at Fort public use. The major changes in- of Republican Governor Matt Blunt, Davidson included discussions with volve relocation of the campground said he no longer trusted Nixon and DNR and Ameren staff as well as away from East Fork Black River, did not want his agency to be repre- field trips to the area. And that very where it was obliterated by the de- sented by the attorney general. weekend, October 1, the Park Hills bris-filled torrent racing down from Nixon returned the donations, and Daily Journal devoted fully half of the rupture, to a location on higher his spokesperson pointed out that its first two pages to an article about ground about a mile west on the Blunt also had accepted campaign the fate of Church Mountain, with Goggins Mountain tract, together contributions and that both a sister particular attention to the views of with a redesigned road system, visi- and a brother of the governor East Ozarks Audubon Society mem- tor center, day use areas, and trails worked for Ameren in government bers in the area. Governor Blunt along the river and its shut-ins. relations and lobbying. Thereafter also reiterated his earlier call for Restoration of the river including DNR and the attorney general ap- Ameren to donate or share Church rerouting to a more "natural" chan- parently proceeded independently in Mountain and its Rock Island Rail- nel has begun, but much of the rede- settlement discussions with Ameren, road Line with the state. velopment is now in limbo awaiting and in October DNR hired the Kan- a settlement with Ameren. sas City firm of Lathrop and Gage On October 2 the Federal Energy to help determine the cost of dam- Regulatory Commission issued an Since last spring, DNR and other ages from the collapse. order approving a stipulation and parties have been in settlement dis- consent agreement with AmerenUE cussions with Ameren, but the talks With settlement discussions on- by which Ameren agreed to pay a

Page 5 The Missouri Parks Association total of $15 million in settlement of tional facilities are not necessary or Also in January, Ameren distrib- alleged violations of FERC regula- desirable in an area significant pri- uted a draft environmental report tions, which Ameren neither admit- marily for its wildness and for addi- prepared by Paul C. Rizzo Associ- ted nor denied. Of this, reportedly tion to the St. Francois Mountains ates for the rebuilding of the Taum the largest penalty ever levied by Natural Area, MPA argues, but what Sauk Upper Reservoir, with a Feb- FERC in such a case, $10 million is critical is to protect Church ruary 15 deadline for public com- was a civil penalty to the U.S. Mountain and Taum Sauk Creek ment, emphasizing that Ameren had Treasury and $5 million was to be valley from new reservoirs (for a not yet made a decision whether to placed in an escrow account for pro- history of the area and an assess- rebuild. But on February 5 the firm ject enhancements in the local area. ment of the values at stake see Heri- announced its intent to rebuild, as- In addition to an emergency man- tage, August 2001, on MPA's web- suming successful resolution of out- agement system, enhancements site, parks.missouri.org). standing issues with Missouri agen- could include economic develop- cies. It said it intended to begin ment, environmental resources, and On December 13, the day before construction in 2007 and return the educational and recreational oppor- the first anniversary of the reservoir plant to service in 2009 (the year tunities at or near the project. collapse, Attorney General Nixon before its 50-year federal license filed a civil suit against Ameren, would expire). The rebuild would By November there were reports alleging the firm endangered lives be in the footprint of the original of delays in cleanup and restoration and caused millions of dollars in upper reservoir, and hence the draft at Johnson's Shut-ins because of damage by placing profits ahead of environmental report was limited to lack of a final settlement agreement safety at the Taum Sauk plant. issues related to that structure. and contention among state agen- Nixon is the only official also au- cies. At some point Ameren appar- thorized to file a criminal suit, but In its comments on the environ- ently had proposed a settlement that by press time he had not said mental report submitted to Ameren was deemed inadequate by DNR. whether he will do so. Governor and FERC (and posted on MPA's Then in early December DNR sub- Blunt, DNR officials and Ameren website), MPA reiterated its concern mitted a counter proposal to Ameren charged that the attorney general's about the ecological and cultural that reportedly asked for $125 mil- suit would only delay rebuilding of values at stake in the entire Taum lion, including a $10 million fine, Johnson's Shut-ins and perhaps di- Sauk region and asked that Ameren $40 million for environmental resto- minish the amount of an eventual be required to deed its lands on ration, $20 million for facilities at settlement. But some see the attor- Church Mountain and in the Taum Johnson's Shut-ins, $30 million to ney general's suit as perhaps an ef- Sauk Creek valley to the state for build new recreational attractions, fort to slow down the juggernaut to management as part of the complex $5 million for facilities on or near win a more favorable settlement. of state parks and natural areas in Church Mountain, and other items, the region in partial compensation as well as leases for recreational use In January, only a few days be- for damages suffered and as a con- of Ameren's Church Mountain prop- fore a February 1 deadline, Ameren dition of rebuilding the Taum Sauk erty and its Rock Island Line (to notified MPA (and presumably oth- upper reservoir. complete a Katy Trail linkage to ers) about the procedure for filing Kansas City). proposals for use of the $5 million MPA also asked that a full for- escrow fund provided for in the mal Environmental Impact State- In discussions with DNR offi- FERC settlement. MPA submitted ment be required, with adequate cials and letters to Ameren, FERC an application for the donation or public hearings in major cities as and others, MPA has pointed out purchase of Ameren's property on well as in Lesterville and with con- that a lease would likely not fore- Church Mountain for state park pur- sideration of the full array of issues, close an Ameren reservoir on poses, but in February a heavily rather than being limited solely to Church Mountain and that for con- stacked local review panel submit- the rebuild of the upper reservoir. siderably less than $5 million the ted its recommendations, mostly for The major investments made in a state could buy the approximately local schools and governmental fa- rebuild could effectively preclude 1400 acres, most of which Ameren cilities, saying it consciously de- addressing larger issues in the reli- had acquired decades ago at the cided not to consider applications censing process. Among the issues time it built its Taum Sauk facility, for land acquisition for environ- MPA noted were the planned dis- likely for less than $5 an acre. Land mental purposes "given the large charge of the overflow release struc- values in the area now are probably amount of natural beauty and public ture into Taum Sauk Creek, a State in the range of $1,000 per acre. Ex- lands already available here." cept for trails and trailheads, recrea- (See "Rebuild" on Page 6)

Page 6 The Missouri Parks Association

("Rebuild" from Page 5) hearing, there were no comments ently do not communicate. Yet Outstanding Resource Water, rather offered by any state agency, only there appears to be inadequate time than directly into the lower reser- comments by several non-profit or- remaining for all the relicensing voir; the impacts of construction on ganizations and individuals, includ- studies and processes to be com- water quality and recreational use of ing MPA—largely reiterating com- pleted before the June 2008 deadline the Taum Sauk region; rerouting of ments made earlier by letter about for Ameren to submit its application the transmission line that passes the need for more open public dis- for relicensing, thus making MPA's through the St. Francois Mountains cussion of the full range of issues. request for open public discussion Natural Area; provision for "run of MPA particularly emphasized the of the full range of issues now, be- the river" water flow in East Fork need to require Ameren to donate its fore the rebuild, even more critical. Black River; accuracy of figures for land on Church Mountain and along expected annual energy generation; Taum Sauk Creek to the state as a If this all sounds terribly compli- and the need for a seismic safety condition of rebuilding or relicens- cated, it is. And it is made more so review panel. ing. by the fact that we simply do not know what is going on behind the DNR indicated that it would not It became quite clear from sev- scenes. We fear that the political be presenting comments on the en- eral questions asked of the hearing struggle in Missouri and the ineffec- vironmental report, because of its officials that FERC is engaged in tiveness of FERC may diminish the involvement in ongoing settlement another fast-track procedure in- outcome for the resource and the negotiations with Ameren. The tended to produce a very limited people of Missouri. MPA will re- Conservation Department com- environmental assessment by July main focused on the extraordinary mented at a number of stages, ex- 11. While officials leave open the resource values at stake in the Taum pressing particular concern about possibility of a later EIS, they have Sauk region, including Church water flow in East Fork Black no intention at this time of requiring Mountain as well as Johnson's Shut- River. While the agency did not it. Nor do they acknowledge any ins and Taum Sauk Mountain State oppose the rebuild, neither did it connection between the relicensing Parks. These values are our heri- offer the general support for the re- process, which stalled after the res- tage. Let us hope for some genuine build effort requested by Ameren, ervoir collapsed, and the rebuild; statesmanship in resolving this im- indicating there were still many un- indeed, the two are handled by sepa- passe. resolved issues. The East Ozarks rate divisions of FERC that appar- Audubon Society, which has members who live immediately adjacent to the Taum Sauk plant, What You Can Do commented in detail on an array of construction impact, water FERC will continue to accept comments on the scope of its quality, and floral and faunal is- "environmental document" until April 11, either electronically at http:// sues inadequately addressed in www.ferc.gov under the "eFiling" link or by mail with an original and the report, including the presence eight copies to Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory of a number of species of conser- Commission, 888 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20426. All communica- vation concern, among them the tions must clearly identify on the top of the first page, "Taum Sauk Pro- cerulean warbler. And the Sierra ject, FERC No. 2277." Copies of the FERC scoping document of Febru- Club and the Missouri Coalition ary 21, 2007, as well as Ameren's Environmental Report and comments for the Environment went farther are available on the FERC website under Project 2277. Questions may be still, arguing that rebuilding directed to Thomas J. LoVullo at (202) 502-8900. should not precede relicensing. Please also send personal letters or copies of your FERC letter to Gov- Just as comments on Ameren's ernor Matt Blunt, Missouri State Capitol, P.O. Box 720, Jefferson City, draft environmental report were MO 65102-0720; Attorney General Jay Nixon, P.O. Box 899, Jefferson due, FERC announced that it in- City, MO 65102; DNR Director Doyle Childers, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson tended to prepare its own City, MO 65102; and Ameren CEO Gary Rainwater, One Ameren Plaza, "environmental document" and 1901 Chouteau Ave., P.O. Box 66149, St. Louis, MO 63166-6149. would hold scoping meetings on March 12 in Jefferson City and MPA's comments on Ameren's environmental report and past issues of Lesterville to take agency and Heritage (especially August 2001 and January 2006) are available on the public comment on issues to be MPA website, http://parks.missouri.org. considered. At the Jefferson City

Page 7 The Missouri Parks Association Meramec River Basin Summit Set For September 20-22, 2007 By Ron Coleman It was approximately forty years ago that a small fish and wildlife habitat. group of civic leaders and conservationists gathered on a gravel bar near what is today Castlewood State Today the public can enjoy the conservation and Park in St. Louis County to share their vision for a outdoor recreation benefit of nearly 36,000 acres of better Meramec River—a river on the brink of decay public land on the lower 108 miles including nearly owing to benign neglect. In 1967 river restoration on 12,000 acres of state parks at five sites. All of these the lower Meramec began in earnest opportunities are just an hour’s with the first annual Operation drive from the doorsteps of millions Clean Stream, which helped to initi- of people. Each day new land is ate a much bolder collaborative ef- being acquired, new trails are being fort on the part of many public and built and people are once again en- private partners. joying the river.

Since that time the Meramec and Just as early leaders had a vision for its tributaries have enjoyed a renais- reversing the trend of a degraded sance. Over the past four decades river four decades ago, conserva- mountains of trash and debris have tionists, community leaders, land- been removed from the banks of the owners, and others who love the Meramec and its tributaries by Op- Meramec and its tributaries will eration Clean Stream and Missouri gather again September 20-22, 2007 Stream Team volunteers. Thousands to share a new vision for the river. of derelict flood prone clubhouses If you are interested in learning have been removed and raw sewage more about the summit and how is no longer pouring into the river you can play a role or attend, you from the many failing septic tanks. can call 636-451-6090. Water quality has improved as have MPA joins Missouri Conservation and Environmental Council By David Bedan At its January 31 meeting the We have found that most agree on positions they can support. board of the Missouri Parks Asso- most issues, but we have rarely MCEC leaders will meet regularly ciation discussed public policy been able effectively to present a to review legislation and plan challenges facing Missouri’s state common, unified message to the strategy. parks. Agreeing that we need state legislature or the executive more consistent representation in branch. Few organizations can MPA and three other organiza- Jefferson City to voice our con- dedicate significant resources to tions—Audubon Missouri, the cerns, the board voted to join and public policy issues, but by pool- Missouri Coalition for the Envi- financially support the efforts of a ing resources, we can leverage ronment, and Missouri Votes newly formed Missouri Conserva- our varied strengths into a larger, Conservation—have pledged fi- tion and Environmental Council more powerful force for change. nancial support of $4,000 each. (MCEC), an informal alliance of The Conservation Federation and mainstream organizations who are In early 2007 the MCEC is Missouri Nature Conservancy are working together to identify and following a relatively informal participating as associate partners. advance common policies. structure. Once the current legis- MCEC has hired an experienced lative session concludes, we will professional lobbyist, Kyna Iman, There are well over 100 con- take the opportunity to revisit the to represent conservation interests servation and environmental or- structure and plan for the future. in the General Assembly. MVC ganizations in Missouri, many of For the present, MCEC is work- Executive Director Mark Fogal, which have gathered each fall for ing on selected consensus issues. who assisted last year in the Parks the past five years at a Missouri It will distribute letters on issues and Soils Sales Tax campaign, is Environmental Summit sponsored to each member organization and the acting coordinator of the new by Missouri Votes Conservation. ask leaders to sign on to those council.

Page 8 The Missouri Parks Association UPOP Now in Four Cities

MPA's Urban Populations Out- In Columbia, UPOP was offered three or four-day program for each reach Program operated in four cit- in conjunction with Friends of Rock of the selected youth groups, includ- ies last summer—Kansas City, St. Bridge and coordinated by Corri ing a day at the Green Center and Louis, Joplin and Columbia—and Flaker and Meredith Donaldson. It environs, another at a state park, and plans to return to all four this com- included a map-reading exercise a third at the confluence. In Kansas ing summer. that paid off when several of the City, a grant from the Missouri Con- children brought their families to the servation Heritage Foundation fa- In Joplin in July, the Wildcat park after they had been to the park cilitated sessions at the Discovery Glades Conservation & Audubon for the first time themselves. In St. Center as well as at Watkins Mill, Center, headed by MPA board Louis, the program was offered in Katy Trail, and Knob Knoster state member Tony Robyn, arranged a partnership with the Green Center parks. The program was once again program at Prairie State Park for 64 (coordinators Dianne Benjamin and coordinated by Shalonn Curls, who K-6 graders from the Joplin Parks Michael Nelson) and consisted of a won election to the state legislature and Recreation day last November. Con- camp program, tradi- gratulations, Sha- tionally children lonn! from lower income households. The Look for more on youngsters learned these programs in about prairie ecology the next issue. and saw bison and Meanwhile, you elk. Funding from may contribute to the George and Mary UPOP 2007 by writ- Corkle Charitable ing a check payable Trust provided for to Missouri Parks transportation to the Association (UPOP) park, lunch, all the and mailing to Mis- educational materi- souri Parks Associa- als, and a leave- tion, c/o The Calla- behind Exploring way Bank, P.O. Box Prairie Wildlife ac- 10, Fulton, MO tivity book for each 65251. participant. 2006 Joplin UPOP Prairie State Park Program

NON PROFIT ORG. March, 2007 U.S. POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA, MO PERMIT #338 Post Office Box 30036 Columbia, MO 65205

Return Service Requested

rks s ri Pa ut-In sou r Sh Mis Ove aten ms hre Loo ’s T uild AFO Reb C auk m S Tau http://parks.missouri.org