MDC: Celebrate the holidays with help from the Cape Nature Center

As the seasons change and the holidays approach, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Cape

Girardeau Conservation Nature Center has incorporated many holiday-themed events into their program schedule.

“Many natural items accentuate traditional holiday decorations, such as Christmas trees, wreaths and popular centerpieces,” said Sara Turner, manager of the nature center. “We like to take that even further with ornaments, cards and gifts that highlight nature and are eco-friendly.”

The nature center’s popular Nature Art: Nature’s Décor program is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13. Guests will use nature’s resources to create winter wreaths, swags and garlands. Programs are offered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. to give multiple opportunities to attend the program. Turner said this program fills quickly, so - participants should call the nature center early to reserve a seat. Registration begins Dec. 2 for this program.

“We ask our guests to bring their own grapevine wreath, but we provide the natural items to decorate them with,” Turner said. “Our staff and volunteers are excellent guides to creativity with these decorative items, so be brave and come see what you can make to hang on your door to ring in the season.”

Smaller nature enthusiasts, ages three to six, can celebrate the holidays at Mudpuppies: Have a Green Holiday. This program will teach little ones how to be kind to nature and make eco-friendly gifts. This free program is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, with programs offered at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., and again Tuesday, Dec. 16, with programs at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Turner said this program also tends to fill up quickly, so reservations may be made beginning Dec. 2.

“Sometimes it can be difficult to come up with crafts your little ones can make for family and friends for Christmas, but this program will help with that,” Turner said. “And while they’re having fun making crafts, the kids are learning about nature, too.”

The whole family can get involved in making nature related holiday crafts Saturday, Dec. 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Family Craft Fun. Turner said this program is for all ages, it’s free and no registration is required. “This program is designed for the whole family to enjoy together as they continue the holiday spirit, learn about nature and make memories together,” Turner said. “We’ll have all the supplies needed, we just invite families to come enjoy the season with us.”

“This program is designed for the whole family to enjoy together as they continue the holiday spirit, learn about nature and make memories together,” Turner said. “We’ll have all the supplies needed, we just invite families to come enjoy the season with us.”

Turner said registrations may be made for Nature Art: Nature’s Décor and Mudpuppies: Have a Green Holiday by calling (573) 290-5218 beginning Dec. 2. More information about these and other programs at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center can be found online at mdc.mo.gov/capenaturecenter.

Osage Beach student goes “with the flow,” wins Earth Day 2014 slogan contest

An Osage Beach student’s suggestion to “go with the flow” won top honors in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Earth Day 2014 Slogan Contest.

Mallory Bartels, a fifth-grader at Camdenton R-3 –Capstone Gifted Center, submitted the slogan, “Watersheds: Go with the flow, clean H₂0,” based on the 2014 Earth Day theme, “Watersheds”.

Bartels will be honored on stage at Earth Day 2014, which will be held April 25 on the South Lawn of the Capitol in Jefferson City. She will also receive a $50 gift card donated by Central Bank of Jefferson City. The department received nearly 250 entries in the contest.

Earth Day 2014 is the 20^th annual Earth Day event sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Between 1,000 and 2,000 students are expected to attend the event, which will include educational activities, contests and stage shows. For more information on Earth Day 2014 visit www.dnr.mo.gov/earthday/.

Governor emphasizes value of trees with Arbor Day proclamation

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – Gov. Jay Nixon emphasized the value of Missouri’s trees and forests during a recent ceremony at the State Capitol, proclaiming April 1 as Arbor Day in Missouri and reminding people of National Arbor Day on April 29.

As part of the ceremony, Norborne Elementary School fifth-grader Leah Pieper presented Gov. Nixon with a copy of her winning poster from the 2011 Missouri Arbor Day Poster Contest. The contest is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the Missouri Community Forestry Council and Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. Approximately 800 fifth-grade students from Missouri schools around the state created posters reflecting the theme “Trees are Terrific….and Energy Wise.”

Pieper will receive a $100 savings bond from Forest ReLeaf of Missouri and a framed certificate from the Missouri Community Forestry Council. MDC will plant a commemorative tree at her school. The Pieper family has also been invited to attend the “TREEmendous Forest Festival” on April 30 and May 1 at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis where Leah’s winning poster will be on display. 

“Through the poster contest, Leah and hundreds of other students have learned about the importance of trees to our environment and how they can make a difference,” said MDC Forestry Program Supervisor Justine Gartner. “The poster contest is a fun yet educational way to help students understand the value that trees have in our communities.”            

The Arbor Day ceremony included a presentation of several potted trees from the MDC to the governor by fourth-grade students from around the state. The students were Sydney Borisenko who goes to Southern Boone Elementary, Kaylee Little who goes to Licking Elementary School and Madison Henry who goes to Raymondville R-7 Elementary School.

In support of Arbor Day and in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) “Trees for Tomorrow” program, MDC again distributed nearly 102,000 tree seedlings from its George O. White Nursery to about 4,000 fourth-grade classes in March. MODOT provides financial support for the production and distribution of the trees. In addition to the seedlings, MDC’s Discover Nature Schools program provides educational curriculum that includes grade-appropriate information and activities to help students understand the importance of trees and conservation.

“No matter where we live -- in the country, suburbs or cities -- trees and forests are vital to our health, wealth and happiness,” said MDC State Forester Lisa Allen. “Covering more than one-third of the Show-Me state, our forests and woods protect our soil from erosion and filter our water. They provide oxygen we need to breathe and clean our air by trapping and storing pollution, including tons of carbon emissions from fossil fuels.”

Allen added that Missouri forests provide lumber and numerous other wood products used around our state and around the world. This industry supports more than 32,000 Missouri jobs and generates almost $6 billion in annual economic activity.

“Missouri forests also provide habitats for an incredible diversity of plants and animals that could not exist without them, along with a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities and breathtaking scenic beauty,” she said.

Missouri has been observing Arbor Day since 1886 when the General Assembly declared that the first Friday in April should be set aside for the appreciation and planting of trees. National Arbor Day is recognized on the last Friday of April. Each state determines its Arbor Day based on its unique climate and weather patterns.

Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree. For tips on selecting and planting the right tree for your situation, visit www.MissouriConservation.org and search “tree planting.”