Park That Has It All, SC Book Club and Volunteer Opps
Don Robinson State Park. Photo by Diane Williams.
The Park That Has It All
By Louise Bullock
What park appeals to history buffs, families, the young at heart, nature lovers and concert goers alike? Did you guess Faust Park? Correct! This park located at 15025 Faust Park in Chesterfield is situated on property donated by Leicester and Mary Plant Faust in order to preserve the estate of Frederick Bates, second governor of Missouri. This St. Louis County Park, does indeed offer something special for everyone:
Thornhill Mansion - Home of Frederick Bates, second governor of Missouri. The residence and several outbuildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Faust Historic Village - a collection of approximately twenty 19th-Century structures which showcase life in the St. Louis area from 1840-1910. Guided tours can be arranged by calling 314-615-8336.
The St. Louis Carousel - Rides are offered every ten minutes. For hours and information phone 314-615-8345.
Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden - For hours and ticket information, call 314-577-0888. Free admission is offered to St. Louis City/County residents on the first Tuesday of every month for the first two hours after opening.
Governor Bates Trail - This 1.4 mile trail leads to the Thornhill estate and back. Playground, reservable picnic shelter, restroom and wedding site are all available.
Seasonal activities are also offered such as open houses, Summer Concert Series, hayrides and the Jack-O’-Lantern Trail.
Park is open from 1/2 hour before official sunrise until 1/2 hour after official dusk. For more information go to: stlouiscountymo.gov.
What Does Net Zero Really Mean? From Forbes Here are three things to help refresh your understanding of the science behind this 'magic number' of net zero. READ MORE
Climate Education in the U.S.: Where It Stands, and Why It Matters From Columbia University Young people recognize that climate change is going to shape their futures—where they live, the work they will do, and their quality of life. They need climate education in order to develop green skills, adapt to the harsh reality of a warming world, and understand how to combat climate change. FULL STORY
Meatpacker that sought to dump wastewater in Missouri river will shut down From KSDK
A southwest Missouri meatpacking plant that sought to dump treated wastewater into an impaired river will halt operations — at least temporarily. READ MORE
Don Robinson Ecological Hike Recap
By Outings Leader, Matt Self
On Sunday, February 20, I led a hike at Don Robinson State Park with a small group. We hiked mostly off trail on packed snow and explored a few pockets of glades and box canyons. In one section of the park, we observed a stark contrast in the tree species because of work done by the park staff and by Sierra Club volunteers to restore the glade habitats. It was a chilly, sunny, and beautiful morning, and for several participants, it was their first time at the park. One of the best parts of being an outings leader is introducing someone to a new place and seeing their amazement at Missouri’s natural beauty.
Photo by Matt Self on Ecological Hike at Don Robinson State Park
Sierra Book Club - Anyone Can Join!
“Braiding Sweetgrass” on March 7th from 7:30-9:00 pm
The winter months are perfect for getting cozy with a good book and interesting discussion among like-minded individuals. So it has been with our monthly meetings-the one in February focusing on the book, “Braiding Sweetgrass”. In fact, it was so enjoyable this past month that the group unanimously decided to continue the discussion on “Braiding Sweetgrass” on March 7th from 7:30-9:00 pm. You are welcome to join us, even if you did not come to our other book discussion times. We will be focusing on the last section of this book by Robin Wall Kimmerer. RSVP HERE
Partners for Native Landscaping 2024 Spring Series The Partners for Native Landscaping (PNL) come together each year to present a program with the goal of inspiring and helping individuals to create gardens that are not only beautiful but are also habitats for native wildlife. SEE WEBINAR CALENDAR
Hike at the Little Lost Creek Conservation Area - March 7 The Little Lost Creek Conservation area has it all within its 2899 acres; oak/hickory savannas, grassy fields, rugged hills with scenic views, and yes, a 'lost' creek that we will find but which may or may not have water in it. Please join us on a hike that will circle the central part of this wonderful landholding. SIGN UP
Let There Be Night Presentation by Vayujeet Gokhale of DarkSky Missouri - March 26
Join the Sierra Club Eastern Missouri Group and the St. Louis Audubon Society for a presentation by Vayujeet Gokhale of DarkSky Missouri. LEARN MORE
MO Sierra Club 101: New Member Orientation - March 27 Join the Sierra Club Missouri Chapter for it's Q1 2024 orientation for new members to learn about the Sierra Club's history, priorities and values, connect with other Missouri environmentalists, gain community organizing skills, and plug into the Sierra Club Missouri Chapter grassroots infrastructure. This 90 minute Zoom meeting is open to new & returning leaders to learn about more opportunities to explore, enjoy and protect Missouri. MORE INFO
SLU's MSW Trivia Night benefiting Sierra Club - April 6 Bring a group or just bring your self to SLU's MSW Alumni and Student Association Trivia Night. Cash prizes for top 3 winning tables. Cost is $25 per person with max 8 people per table. Cost includes beer, soda, and popcorn. To sign up email Debi Pratt at underdogdeb2@gmail.com or call 314-477-7381. MORE INFO
Missouri Sierra Club Lobby Day - April 10 Join other Sierra Club members and supporters as we travel to Jefferson City to talk to our legislators. Our leaders need to know that Missourians support clean air, renewable energy, and the protection of wild spaces. Please consider lending your voice and joining us for this exciting day! RSVP
Ecovillage Experience in Missouri - April 12 This is an extended tour (Friday evening through Saturday afternoon) of a working Ecovillage in northeast Missouri. The tour has been designed specifically for Sierra Club members. There will be several educational modules such as regenerative livestock management, increasing local eco-system diversity, and an overview of how this intentional eco-sustainable community was established and is run. MORE INFO
Check out what's coming up with EMG Outings Sierra Club Outings are open to the public. A dollar per person donation is requested. Firearms are not allowed on outings. Participants must sign a liability release. Outings Leaders are volunteers. Outings officially start at the trailhead or river access. Carpooling is encouraged but not the responsibility of the Leader. For more information, Click Here.
Lemonade at Earth Day Festival with the Sierra Club! We need volunteers to help with the lemonade sales on both Saturday April 20th and Sunday April 21st.
There are two shifts: 10 am to 2 pm and 2 to 6 pm. For more information and to volunteer, please CLICK HERE.
Volunteering at Don Robinson State Park - March 8 AmeriCorps will be out at Don Robinson SP working on a cedar cutting project. We will have a large team effort that day. People should be prepared for cutting down and bucking up cedar trees, dragging them to piles, and burning them (weather permitting). All should bring work gloves. We will be hiking to the work area and will need to carry any gear needed. SIGN UP HERE
Castlewood Volunteering - March 15 We will be working on various activities each month, such as trail maintenance, invasive species removal, social trail closing, and other projects that the superintendent deems necessary. We will aim for 3-4 hour days, but everyone can work as they see fit. Bring water and food for the day. People should feel free to get lunch as a group afterwards. REGISTER HERE
Join the EMG Conservation Committee! If you are ready to engage in outreach, education, research and action on the variety of conservation topics in our region contact Caroline Puffalt, Conservation Committee Chair, at cpufalt@sbcglobal.net.
Have your photography featured in this e-newsletter!
Email it to emg.missouri.sierraclub@gmail.com and we might feature you in our next newsletter. We're always looking for photos from our members! By submitting a photo, you agree to allow EMG Sierra Club to use your photo for promotional purposes only.
Join the Sierra Club, Outings Committee! This is a very active and exciting group within the Sierra Club. We coordinate and run all the hikes, bike and canoe/kayak trips. We do trail maintenance and new trail construction at different parks. This is a great way to meet new people. We have a need for Outings Leaders. When you become an Outings Leader, you will receive free leader training, first aid and CPR courses. We can use YOUR help! Contact Dave Campbell, Outings Committee Co-Chair, at davecampbell9009@gmail.com or 217-553-9009.
Volunteer Spotlight! Highlight yourself or someone that is making a difference in the Sierra Club community! This submission will be used in print and digital Sierra Club newsletters. Submissions accepted on a rolling basis. Fill out the form by clicking HERE!
Volunteer slalom race judges needed for the 2024 MO Whitewater Championships The 2024 whitewater slalom races for kayak, canoe and SUP (standup paddleboard) will be held the weekend of March 16 & 17 on the rapids of the St. Francis River at Millstream Gardens Conservation Area near Fredericktown. No experience necessary, we train you the morning of the race. Judge for a day, get a free race t-shirt! For more info, CLICK HERE. Contact Jonathan Lehmann at 314-791-3969 or jonathanlehmann@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions.
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Lehmann, MO Whitewater Championships.
