IN THIS ISSUE

OVER 45 YEARS OF EFFECTIVE The Alert CITIZEN ACTION Coalition for the Environment Volume 47, Issue 2 / FALL 2016 Effective Citizen Action Since 1969

WHAT’S INSIDE The Value of Wetlands: Underneath the Surface By Alicia Lloyd, Clean Water Policy Coordinator

Missourians have lost up to a startling 87 percent of our lost to agricultural drainage. As the private gains from state’s historic wetlands—one of the most productive development and agribusiness accrue unchallenged and diverse ecosystems in the world. Wetlands are and the importance of wetland and floodplain vibrant and fascinating ecological communities, with ecosystems is ignored, the public loses the value of MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT unique soils that support vegetation adapted to wet these critical natural resources. Young Friends Kickoff / 6 conditions. In Missouri, wetlands, such as swamps, Pioneer Forest Tour / 5 marshes, and wet meadows serve critical natural Government policy seeks to shape behavior, often functions for humans and wildlife alike. These waters by attaching carrots or sticks to specific choices. were drained and filled en masse in the 1800s and early Cigarette taxes are meant to discourage smoking. 1900s. Their conversion has continued incrementally We pay tickets as penalty for violating parking rules. over more recent decades with the expansion Similarly, environmental policy uses permits and fines to of suburban sprawl from city centers, the mass discourage polluters or offers rewards for stewardship. construction of levee and navigation systems severing Policies managing wetlands in Missouri are based rivers from their floodplains, and the intensification of primarily on federal regulation, requiring developers to PARKS AND SOILS industrial agricultural production. first apply for a permit to develop or convert wetland #MoParksChallenge / 4 acreage to another land use, depriving others of their Soil Quiz Answers / 4 Missouri Department of Natural Resources reports communal benefits. Permittees then incur some cost Celebrate State Parks / 4 suggest about half of Missouri’s original 4.8 million to compensate the public for permitted damages to acres of wetlands were located in the now heavily wetland resources by mitigating the damages elsewhere. agricultural southeast Bootheel region, and 3.6 million continued on pg 5 acres—or 87 percent of all destroyed wetlands—were

What’s It Like to Appear on the “Daily Show”? ECO FILM REVIEW “How to Let Go”/ 6 MCE’s Rivers Director Brad Walker, right, was featured on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” in June. He appeared in a segment about the “Iron Triangle,” which highlighted wasteful spending by Congress on projects by the Army Corps of Engineers. Brad recounts ALERT FEATURES his experience being interviewed by Director’s Message / 2 “The Daily Show” correspondent Board and Staff Updates / 2 Roy Wood Jr.: “I have endured Spring and Summer Interns / 3 lengthy and intense depositions Legislative Update / 7 and cross examinations during my engineering career, but this was different.” Read about Brad’s experience on his River Roils blog at www.moenvironment.org/environment-blog. Are you a member? Join Today! Visit us online at www.moenvironment.org From the Director Fall 2016 Alert

From the Director To protect and restore the By Heather Broulliet Navarro, Executive Director environment through education, public engagement, and legal action. Promoting state parks is one of the best parts of my job, because when I’m not visiting parks, I‘m reading up on the biodiversity in caves, prairies, and MCE BOARD: wetlands and gazing at scenic photographs of natural landscapes. I find David Lobbig, President these images breathtaking; they convey the serenity that comes with being Eric Wilkinson in nature and the complex beauty of life. Best of all, I can picture myself Jim Rose floating down an Ozark stream or hiking through the backcountry. I often Kally Coleman hike alone and find it to be a contemplative and empowering experience. Jeff DePew David Garin And I can’t ignore that my whiteness makes this possible. Nadim Kanafani, M.D. Stuart Keating The last few months, I’ve been taking every opportunity to visit state parks and historic sites. I’m trying to Tom Leb get to as many as I can as part of our #MoParksChallenge. I bring my kids with me every chance I get. I’ve Steve Mahfood Arlene Sandler been lucky to make it as far south as and over to the Thomas Hart Benton Home Bernard Waxman and Studio State Historic Site in Kansas City. One of the most startling sights of my adventures has been walking through a campsite and seeing a confederate flag waving at a campsite. My family is white, so MCE STAFF: while it made me uncomfortable, I didn’t experience the fear I imagine other families might. Executive Director: Heather B. Navarro Development Coordinator: Caitlin Zera Missouri’s state park system is one of the best in the country, and it’s free and open to all. But does every Policy Director: Ed Smith Missouri resident feel welcome and safe? We must renew the Parks, Soils, and Water Sales tax this fall Clean Water Policy Coordinator: Alicia Lloyd because it funds vital improvements to our parks and soil conservation; however, it is not enough for our Rivers Director: Brad Walker parks to be free. We must also ensure that everyone can access and engage our state parks. Food & Farm Coordinator: Melissa Vatterott

THE FALL 2016 ALERT: During this year, we’ll be learning more and exploring how we can act for environmental justice for all. With your support, we’re working with diverse stakeholders to enhance our local food systems. We want Missouri Coalition for the Environment’s “The Alert” newsletter is published twice to ensure, that no matter what neighborhood you live in, you have access to fresh, local, sustainably grown each calendar year. This newsletter is for food. And through advocacy for the Clean Energy Incentive Program, we’re blending efforts to reduce informational purposes only. All opinions utility bills with decreasing energy consumption and the air pollution that comes along with it. These are and estimates in “The Alert” constitute the just some of MCE’s efforts to be more holistic environmentalists. best judgment of MCE and newsletter contributors but are subject to change without notice. Reproduction of articles Thank you for being a member of MCE! It takes all of us to protect our common home. for publication is prohibited without permission of the publisher. Sincerely, For information or address changes, please contact us at: Missouri Coalition for the Environment 3115 South Grand Blvd., Suite 650 Heather B. Navarro St. Louis, MO 63118 ph 314.727.0600 fx 314.727.1665 MCE Remembers Tom Kruzen, Ozark Field Organizer e [email protected] In July, former MCE staff member Tom Kruzen Follow us on Social Media: passed on to start his next journey. He and his wife, Facebook Angel Kruzen, started Pan’s Garden, a native plant Twitter @MoEnviron nursery in Shannon County, and together, they have Instagram @moenvironment served as passionate watchdogs in the Ozarks. Tom was the Ozark Field Organizer for MCE from 1995 Sign up for our e-alerts and stay to 2001, working tirelessly to protect Ozark streams current with environmental news. and water quality. For those of us lucky enough to have known Tom, we will always remember his Visit us online at passion for the natural world. For all those who will www.moenvironment.org come after us at MCE, they will know Tom through his legacy of passionate advocacy.

Tom Kruzen, 1946–2016

2 THE ALERT FALL 2016 MOENVIRONMENT.ORG MCE Interns

2016 Interns Spring Interns Divya Babbula (Washington University) Food & Farm Delfina Grinspan (Washington University) Food & Farm Suzie Schmitt (Webster University) Food & Farm Amanda Varble (St. Louis University) Public Health Haley Larson (University of Missouri, St. Louis) Legislative

Summer Interns Water Program Interns Peyton Moore (University of South Carolina) Mo Mills (Occidental College) Peter Rosenquist (Washington University)

Food & Farm Interns Spring 2016 Food & Farm Interns, Suzie Schmitt, left, and Delfina Grinspan, far right, with Food Erin Alsop (University of Missouri) & Farm Coordinator Melissa Vatterott (center) outside St. Louis MetroMarket. Suzie and Delfina Andy Bramman (St. Louis University) worked as spring interns to raise awareness about the effects of our industrialized food system and the work of the St. Louis Food Policy Coalition. Maggie Lobbig (Macalester) Megan Shrewsbury (Indiana University)

Legal Intern - Thomas Haw (Washington University)

West Lake Interns Alexandra Barrett (Washington University) Scott Burns (Washington University) Nick Kime (Burroughs High School) Alex McFadden (Washington University) West Lake Landfill interns, left to right, Alexandra Barrett, Alex McFadden, and Scott Burns. Democracy in Action Interns David Gunderson (Webster University) Yuval Pearl (Washington University) Peter Schmidt (Princeton University) Annalise Wagner (Washington University) Alison Wulfe (Washington University) Peter Rosenquist at Missouri Botanical Garden. Environmental Justice Intern - Annalise Wagner

Mo Mills in front of a rain garden demonstration site at University of Missouri, St. Louis.

Intern Highlights Clean Water: Developed online tools, including the Clean Water Act digital timeline and a Rainscaping Story Map. Both available at http://moenvironment.org/program-areas/water-quality Food & Farm: Developed online resources including the Soils IQ Quiz and the Soils Story Map, and expanded the Local Foodshed interactive map to include community gardens. West Lake: Used FOIA documents to compare radioactive sites around the country to West Lake; looked at ways the Corps characterized sites at other places compared to EPA’s methodology; conducted a comparative analysis of risk assessments for four different sites; helped advance goal of federal legislation by developing written testimony for the record; developed content for new blog series on West Lake. Democracy in Action: Analyzed options for local resolutions to get money out of politics. Environmental Justice: Planned a convergence of environmental, social justice, and public health advocates on September 13.

MISSOURI COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THE ALERT FALL 2016 3 Parks & Soils

Celebrate Our State Parks With A New Challenge by Heather B. Navarro, Executive Director, and Emily Piontek, Parks & Public Lands Intern

Missouri opened its 88th state park with the of our local environment. So far this year, unveiling of on July 30, MCE has registered close to 100 Missourians 2016. The park is situated near Sinking Creek, to take the challenge, and they in turn have a tributary of the Current River, on the site of contributed 175 visits to our state parks system. the former Camp Zoe. It offers visitors a fun Search #MoParksChallenge on Instagram for experience of all the Ozarks have to offer and the photographic evidence! Popular parks so far is a wonderful addition to our award-winning have been , Hawn State state park system. Before you pack up the tent Park, Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Graham and head out for a quiet experience in nature, Cave, and, of course, . however, take note that the park offers only However, some of our lesser-known state parks 12 tent sites and boasts “62 sites that cater have received a visitor or two as well! Prairie State to RVs and pull-behinds.” There’s also a lodge Park in Barton County, for example, protects complete with suites, flat-screen TVs, and Wi- one of the last remaining tall-grass prairies in the Fi. While Echo Bluff sets a new standard for state, supports a resident bison herd—and has state parks, we must not forget the values that had two visits from #MoParksChallenge takers. made our park system great in the first place, standards that prioritize a deep knowledge of, The #MoParksChallenge runs until the election genuine appreciation for, and the relentless on November 8. Those who visit Missouri preservation of our state’s natural, cultural, and State Parks and post photos online will be historic treasures. eligible to win outdoor gear from Alpine Shop in Kirkwood, Mo. So far, the competition has Sinking Creek at Echo Bluff State Park. Missouri State Parks are celebrating their been intense—a few of our participants are centennial this year and you can too by vying for the most visits at about 10 park participating in the Mo Parks Challenge! The visits apiece! However, the good news is that #MoParksChallenge melds the ubiquitous it’s not too late to join! Sign up by registering presence of technology in our lives with the your name and email address with us at www. many benefits of spending time in the great moenvironment.org/parks, then visit the parks, outdoors. By using Instagram as a social media take a picture during your visit, and upload it platform to document visits to Missouri State to Instagram at your convenience. Make sure Parks, we are reaching new audiences and to use the tag #MoParksChallenge! See you in introducing new generations to the wonders Missouri State Parks!

Soil IQ Quiz Answers and Explanation Question 1: D - Minerals, water, air, and organic material. These components provide Mo Parks Challenge Taker Jessica K. at Elephant Rocks crops and other vegetation with vital nutrients for their growth. State Park.

Question 2: All of the above. Soil is home to many living creatures, such as earthworms, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and other microorganisms. These creatures help break down plant material and transform minerals into useable forms for plants.

Question 3: A - Decomposed plant material. This fertile layer provides many nutrients to soil and plants. Humus can be produced through compost as well!

Question 4: D - All of the above. These natural causes can be influenced by agricultural practices, such as tillage, overgrazing, and deforestation.

Question 5: A - The original material that forms the first layer of soil. Parent material is weathered down over time to form the first layer of soil. There can be many types of Our new Soil Story Map illustrates through images, maps, and diagrams the many important functions of soil and parent, such as bedrock, coral, and organic matter. how human activity affects soil health. Explore the story map at www.moenvironment.org/soilquiz

4 THE ALERT FALL 2016 MOENVIRONMENT.ORG Wetlands

The Value of Wetlands: Underneath the Surface continued from pg 1

Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act prohibits unpermitted Program in which “discharge of fill material” into waters of the United States on public landowners voluntarily or private lands. The US Army Corps of Engineers implements the 404 set aside wetlands or program and requires developers to mitigate permitted impacts to often-flooded land in wetland and stream resources by purchasing credits from an approved long-term or permanent wetland mitigation bank or restoring wetlands elsewhere themselves. easements on their The goal of the 404 program was to achieve “no net loss” of the state’s properties for payment. remaining wetland resource base by 1995. MCE and other organizations It is imperative to advocate for and support multiple policy mechanisms in the Mississippi River Collaborative work to watchdog this process that encourage wetlands protections for the benefit of all Missourians— and to advocate for quality mitigation activities with real environmental not just the industrial agricultural interests and commercial developers benefits. Unfortunately, the required mitigation for individual projects in that benefit from draining and filling these critical resources. While we Missouri and basinwide consistently falls short of the one-to-one ratio don’t write checks for these costs, we pay in access to clean, healthy necessary to ensure a “no net loss” of wetland resources. In order to waters throughout Missouri while private interests profit. reclaim the value of the drastic historical loss of wetlands and all the benefits they provide, we need to encourage restoration and protection Human and natural systems alike depend on the ecosystem services through other means as well. our natural resources provide. Wetlands act like natural sponges, storing waters and filtering pollutants, such as nutrients, running off Policy can also provide incentives for preservation. The federal Farm Bill the landscape after rain events. Often found in floodplains, wetlands offers conservation supports, like the Wetlands Reserve Program and also hold floodwaters when rivers and streams overtop their banks, but floodplain easements, through the Emergency Watershed Protection this function is lost when we replace rivers with unnaturally channelized waterways. Duck hunters, birders, and people who enjoy fishing recognize the critical ecological function wetlands serve as spawning grounds and nurseries for fish and travel corridors for migratory birds. While indispensable, nutrient and pollutant filtering, flood-risk reduction, and wildlife habitat are not “goods” and “services” in the sense that they flow through markets and, consequently, are extremely undervalued. As long as policy fails to account for the value of wetlands, in all its forms, we will see the continued destruction of these crucial ecosystems.

Check out MCE’s website to navigate maps of development projects across the state and to learn more about wetlands in Missouri. MCE’s efforts to watchdog Clean Water Act permitting of their destruction are displayed on our interactive story map, developed in collaboration with

Restored wetland along the Missouri River in Eagle Bluffs Wildlife Area. (MDC Photo) Washington University’s Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic.

Pioneer Forest Tour In April 2016, MCE and the Forest Stewards Guild met up with the L-A- D Foundation for a special tour of Pioneer Forest to learn about Leo Drey’s legacy of uneven age, single tree selection. In January 2016, MCE filed comments on the National Forest Service’s plan to open up more forests for harvest in the Mark Twain National Forest. MCE’s comments highlighted concerns with cutting too much Sustainable harvesting in action. Pioneer Forest selects trees of the forest over a short amount of time for harvest, leaving the healthy ones in place to support a and ensuring that water quality impacts and thriving forest ecosystem while providing the local economy MCE Board member David Garin sniffs out the difference habitat for species such as the Indiana bat and with timber. between red oak and white oak, with board member Stuart the northern long-eared bat are prioritized, Keating, left, and Policy Director Ed Smith. along with protecting old growth stands.

MISSOURI COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THE ALERT FALL 2016 5 Film Review

“How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change” Written and directed by Josh Fox, 2016, 125 Minutes By Caitlin Zera, Development Coordinator

What do we talk about when we talk about climate change? Our sincerity, authenticity and humor. This touch makes “How to Let Go” conversations often turn on the irresistible paradox of our desire to a catalyzing film for both those well-versed in climate issues and those find solutions to reverse climate change effects and our need to totally new to the depth of the subject. grasp the crushing realities of what climate change is doing and will continue to do to the world’s most vulnerable populations. In his new We can see the ill effects of these human systems on our climate even documentary “How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things as microcosmically as Missouri: industrial agriculture dumps chemical Climate Can’t Change” director Josh Fox, of “GasLand” fame, asks us pollution into our rivers and degrades our soil; coal powers 78 percent to confront this paradox and change the way we’ve been talking about of our electricity, more than most other states; public transportation climate change. networks do not meet the needs of those who don’t own cars; and the state legislature gridlocks on important environmental issues like clean While the title might seem to suggest resignation as the major theme, most water more often than it progresses. of the film focuses on resilience. For Fox and the people he visits around the world, resilience is not about the power of technology to reverse climate It is necessary to have these conversations, the ones that are bleak change effects but rather the power of community to fight for justice and and overwhelming. We need to have them with our friends, families, a better quality of life in the face of an increasingly inhospitable world. decisionmakers, neighbors, and ourselves.

But in order to get to the resilience portion of the film, Fox first provides Ultimately, “How to Let Go of the World” is not a film about throwing in an overview of climate change threats, bringing in the voices of experts the towel. It’s a film about being realistic, a film about taking the things Dr. Michael Mann, Elizabeth Kolbert, Bill McKibben, Van Jones, and Dr. we love with us into a future that looks darker than it ever has before. Petra Tschakert. The scene they set is unsettling—from mass extinction to extreme weather to the complete melting of the Greenland ice sheet. We will be living in a world where death, famine, war and conquest It becomes clear that a full reversal of climate change effects is no longer loom as the effects of climate change continue to set in, but we can realistic for our world. Dr. Mann, a climatologist and geophysicist, likens still imagine and bring to fruition a world in which equality, justice and the consequences of climate change on our planet to the Four Horsemen generosity are sustained. We may not overhaul our human systems in of the Apocalypse: Death, Famine, War and Conquest. the window of time necessary to halt climate change effects, but we can still strive to refashion our world into one that is more equitable in the The overwhelming nature of these conversations leads Fox to confide face of enormous challenges. in his audience that to slow warming by a significant amount, we would need “a major overhaul of every human system—politics, food, To read the full review, visit the Reel Earth film blog at moenvironment. energy, transportation, media and all in the next 3 to 4 years—I don’t org/environment-blog. know about you, but I’m about ready to watch a few cat videos right now. ...” This is Fox’s voice as a narrator and an activist. He strikes Caitlin Zera has a B.A. in film production with a minor in sustainability a chord with audiences by talking about these important issues with studies from Webster University.

New MCE Young Friends Membership Level We’ve added a new membership level for young professionals, students, and recent graduates. We know it takes a while to pay back loans and to get a life established on your own or with a young family, so the new Young Friend level of $20 is designed to fit your values and your budget! MCE’s Young Friends group kicked off this spring. The group meets at local restaurants in St. Louis and invites speakers on hot topics like food deserts. Even if you don’t consider yourself a young friend, membership makes a great gift for your favorite member of the next generation!

Representatives of St. Louis MetroMarket talk with MCE Young Friends about food deserts in the region at their June 2016 meeting.

6 THE ALERT FALL 2016 MOENVIRONMENT.ORG Legislative Update

Missouri Legislators Impacting Our Environment By Ed Smith, Policy Director

MCE worked with the Missouri Parks MCE and our allies also lended support to Overhauling the CWC in favor of the factory Association and Audubon Missouri to stop legislation that was signed into law by Gov. Jay farm industry because it was denied one permit many bad bills and to support a few good Nixon. Good bills that passed include changes out of 521 is simply outrageous. In his veto of ones that were proposed this year in Jefferson to how tax-increment financing (TIF) is approved HB 1713, Gov. Nixon said, “This change would City. MCE often traveled to Missouri’s capitol that could limit floodplain development in the effectively pave the way for regulated interests to testify on various bills, and we coordinated metro St. Louis area, including Stan Kroenke’s to seize control of the commission and would a citizen lobby day for people to meet their proposal for Maryland Heights (HB 1434). MCE eliminate the public’s voice in the water quality legislators. Our efforts made a difference, also testified in favor of Rep. Jacob Hummel’s control efforts under the purview of the primarily related to state parks, but we couldn’t bipartisan farm-to-table bill that requires commission.” We are currently advocating for stop all the bad bills. Nonetheless, a few good the Department of Agriculture to establish the veto to be sustained. bills made it across the finish line. guidelines for institutions, like schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and military bases, Missouri’s factory farms also scored a win The good: Nearly all the $37 million cut by the to source at least 10 percent of their food with the passage of HB 1414. The bill shields House in various appropriations bills for state locally by 2020. The previous goal of locally information shared by factory farmers parks was restored by the Senate. Twenty- sourcing 5 percent of food for public schools participating in voluntary programs with seven million dollars was restored for projects was easily met, almost exclusively, through the the State of Missouri. The problem with the that are currently underway; $8 million was purchase of local milk. Increasing the number legislation is that the “voluntary programs” restored for new projects. These funds are of institutions involved and creating a goal of involve the distribution of taxpayer money. needed to address infrastructure issues at state 10 percent for locally sourced food will help And now Missouri taxpayers will be unable to parks throughout Missouri, such as maintaining increase the amount of fruits and vegetables access information about farms and farmers water and sewer systems, and maintenance for being bought from Missouri farmers. receiving grants or financial assistance from campsites, roads, and trails. the Department of Agriculture because The bad: Although we defended state those programs are voluntary. Animal disease MCE and our partners were able to help stop parks with decent success, we did not do as programs are also voluntary. In his veto letter, bills that would have well stopping bills that favor Big Agriculture Gov. Nixon wrote: “While it is deeply troubling operations that negatively affect water quality that the General Assembly would erect such • Allowed ATV use on the Katy Trail and public accountability. The Clean Water a comprehensive barrier to the public having (HB 2047) Commission (CWC) is currently made up of access to information used by its government • Proposed a constitutional amendment to four members from the public, two from in the administration of programs funded by repeal the parks and soils sales tax and the agriculture and mining industry, and one taxpayers, it is particularly offensive that this replace it with a new version, requiring from publicly owned wastewater treatment. blanket of secrecy would apply to information payment of property taxes by parks in Early in 2016, the CWC denied a permit for a submitted to programs that involve the perpetuity (HJR 101) concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) awarding of public funds.” MCE is working to in Grundy County. The CWC has only denied help sustain this veto as well. • Shielded owners of a nuisance from legal one of the 521 permits granted or renewed action by their neighbors if the nuisance by the DNR since 2010. This one decision We are awaiting the outcomes of the 2016 owner had a permit from the EPA, Corps (4-2) unleashed a flurry of activity to change general election and are beginning to prepare of Engineers, or the Department of the authority and/or composition of the for the 2017 legislative session. Your voice Natural Resources (SB 894) CWC during the legislative session. HB 1713, matters. It matters at the ballot box. It matters which was quietly amended at the end of the before, during, and after the legislative session, • Required Missouri to sell 4,200 acres legislative session, changes the composition so too. Please help MCE advance the environmental of land for a new state park along the that up to six members of the agriculture and policies that you care about in 2017! Eleven Point River that the state had mining industry are represented on the CWC already purchased (HB 2187). with no guarantee for public representation.

Get Engaged! MCE is nearly through our first year working with an online advocacy tool called Engage. The Engage online advocacy tool allowed MCE to activate people throughout Missouri by providing the information necessary on important legislation so they could call their legislators and ask them to support or oppose bills. MCE will also use this tool in the near future for petition campaigns, and it will make it easy for people to submit comments to the Public Service Commission on important issues. We will employ Engage to keep you up-to-date on important bills related to water, energy, agriculture, and state parks. Many thanks to all of our supporters at the 2015 gala who helped us “engage” with generous donations to our Advocacy Auction.

MISSOURI COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THE ALERT FALL 2016 7 Missouri Coalition for the Environment Non-Profit Org. Effective Citizen Action Since 1969 3115 South Grand Blvd., Suite 650, St. Louis, MO 63118 U.S. Postage PAID St. Louis, MO Permit No. 6007

Soils IQ Quiz By Melissa Vatterott, Food & Farm Coordinator

Soil is a diverse ecosystem of living and nonliving elements working together to create the surface of our Earth. Without soil, life on Earth would be very different, but today soil is eroding at alarming rates. Through history, when soil had certain desirable properties, humans have decided to convert land with these soil types for “beneficial” uses. This land conversion harms the soil, as well as the native ecosystems and other natural resources. Take our quiz below to see how much you really know about soil:

Question 1: What is soil made up of? Question 4: What causes soil erosion? A: Minerals, air, and water A: Gravity B: Plants, animals, and water B: Wind C: Organic material and air C: Precipitation Events D: Minerals, water, air, and organic material D: All of the above

Question 2: Select all that apply: Question 5: What is parent material? Which of these organisms live in soil? A: The original material that forms the first layer of soil Fungi Birds Earthworms Bacteria B: Last year’s topsoil C: The roots from plants Question 3: What is humus? D: Nutrients added to soil A: Decomposed plant material B: Freshly tilled soil Find the answers on page 5. Take the full quiz online at C: Soil that is wet www.moenvironment.org/soilquiz. D: Last layer in the soil profile

And remember to VOTE YES on AMENDMENT 1 this November to protect our parks, soils and water!

Attention Federal Employees: Your Support of the Combined Federal Campaign Makes Missouri Cleaner and Greener. Remember MCE! CFC #92907

THE ALERT FALL 2016 MOENVIRONMENT.ORG