MDC hosts Discover Nature Schools workshop for preschool teachers in Columbia

MDC's Discover Nature Schools program helps teachers prepare coursework that connects students with nature, and meets state education standards.  

Registration required by January 15

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites preschool teachers interested in improving conservation education in their classrooms and home-schools to attend an upcoming free training class on Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MDC Central Regional Office, 3500 East Gans Road in Columbia. Space is limited and reservations are required by Jan. 15.

 “The Discover Nature Schools program is an excellent way to get students of all ages outside and to enrich their learning through outdoor experiences focused on Missouri plants, animals and natural systems,” said MDC Conservation Education Consultant Kim Cole.

The workshop is part of MDC’s Discover Nature Schools program which helps prepare educators to teach hands-on courses for their grades. MDC provides teacher guides for free, along with additional resources to support the curriculum.

“Learning in nature benefits children in several ways, including improving physical and mental health, improving test scores, reducing attention-deficit problems, and teaching problem-solving and other thinking skills,” said Cole.

MDC’s Discover Nature Schools program provides no-cost curriculum materials to teachers and schools in the state of Missouri. Curriculum materials are available for preschool through twelfth grade and are aligned with Missouri state standards in order to help teachers and students meet required learning expectations. Approximately 99% of school districts and 40% of schools in the state participate in the program.

For questions or to register for the workshop, contact Kim Cole at Kim.Cole@mdc.mo.gov or573-815-7901 ext. 3964.

For more information about MDC’s Discover Nature Schools program, visithttp://mdc.mo.gov/node/9019.

MDC invites public to help with turtle trapping study in Columbia

Volunteers will help trap and tag turtles, then release them back to the area they were found.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Have you ever thought about being a conservation scientist? Do you like

turtles and are looking for an opportunity to study these animals up close? The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites the public to get their hands wet and dirty and discover nature by helping with trapping and tagging turtles at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (CA) in Columbia. Upcoming dates and times are:

• Wednesday, May 14, noon to 5 p.m.
• Thursday, May 15, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, May 19, noon to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 20, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Volunteers will help trap and tag turtles, then release them back to the area they were found. The opportunity is open to all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult or mentor.

Turtle trapping is fairly messy work, and those who participate should plan on wearing clothing that they don’t mind getting dirty. Additionally, if staying for the entire day, volunteers should bring water and a sack lunch.

Since 2011, Eagle Bluffs CA Manager Vic Bogosian has been trapping turtles and entering the information in a large database. Turtle trapping is important for Eagle Bluffs CA because knowing where the area’s turtle populations are concentrated helps Bogosian make decisions about water levels on the wetland area. The Department of Conservation makes management decisions based in part on scientific research like turtle trapping.

“As the manager of a wetland, I make decisions each day that help keep conditions ideal for migratory bird populations,” said Bogosian. “However, I also consider how those decisions affect other wildlife species.”

Similar to migratory birds, aquatic turtles need access to appropriate water levels, temperature, food and vegetation for cover.

“Because turtles are sensitive to their environment, the information I collect about the turtle population at Eagle Bluffs helps me make sound management decisions for the area,” Bogosian said. 

This project also benefits volunteers by providing an opportunity to participate in a research experience.

“This is a great way to discover nature and to learn more about your wetland,” said Bogosian. “There are opportunities for every age level. I encourage anyone with an interest to come and volunteer.”

To sign up, or to learn more about future turtle trapping opportunities, contact Bogosian atTurtleguy@mdc.mo.gov or 573-445-3882.

Eagle Bluffs CA is in Boone County at the southwest edge of Columbia, near McBaine. For more information about Eagle Bluffs CA, visit http://tinyurl.com/ya37rfv.

MU scientists seek volunteers for one-day water quality project

COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri researchers hope to sample 100 lake and stream sites on May 7 and are looking for volunteers to pitch in as “citizen scientists.”

Members of the Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program (LMVP), Missouri Stream Teams, Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance and the Kayakswarm have committed to help, but the project needs more volunteers, said Tony Thorpe, an MU research specialist and LMVP coordinator.

The goal is to collect 100 water samples throughout the Niangua Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks, and the Niangua and Little Niangua rivers and their tributaries.

“These samples will provide us with a snapshot of water quality,” said Daniel Obrecht of the LMVP. “The data should show us how water quality changes as we move from the upstream end of the river near I-44 all the way to the Lake of the Ozarks.”

Obrecht hopes that involving citizens in the collection of water quality data will promote water stewardship throughout the region. Samples will be processed and analyzed at an MU laboratory as part of LMVP’s water-quality monitoring efforts.

Volunteers must attend a 20-minute training session before participating. The first training opportunity will be 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, at the Bennett Springs State Park Lodge in Lebanon. The second training opportunity will be 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, at the Missouri Department of Conservation office in Camdenton. Training will consist of site selection and sampling instruction. No prior experience is required.

According to Thorpe, the event is designed to allow plenty of flexibility to accommodate busy schedules. “Participants can sample anytime between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on May 7. Just make sure to get the samples to us between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Our lab staff will take it from there.”

To participate or for additional details, contact:

Tony Thorpe
Coordinator, Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program 
302 ABNR
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-5430
tony@LMVP.org 
www.LMVP.org/niangua