Parks Referendum on November Ballot

The Springfield-Greene County Parks Department will embark on a major program to acquire and preserve land for parks and create new recreation facilities, if voters approve a 1/4-cent sales tax referendum planned for the November 6 ballot.

Half of that increase would be used for acquisition and development of parkland and facilities and would expire after five years; the remaining 1/8-cent would continue for operations and maintenance. An estimated $50 million would be raised over 5 years and would be spread across Springfield, Greene County, and area municipalities according to the percentage of population. If approved, the sales tax collection would begin in April 2002 - the same month that 1/8-cent of the Law Enforcement Sales Tax expires.

The park development plans outlined in the referendum stem from the goals outlined in the Parks, Open Space, and Greenways element of the Vision 20/20 long-range planning document.

The referendum would fund:

• Acquisition from willing sellers of undeveloped land in Greene County worthy of preservation, such as the geologically intriguing "Lost Hill" property in northern Greene County, the James River "Oxbow" south of Springfield and the Wilson-Rutledge farm where Wilson's Creek runs through west Springfield
• Construction of the Chesterfield Aquatic Center for the next phase of the Chesterfield Family Center
• School-Park cooperative projects at Bissett, Sequiota, Wanda Gray, McGregor, Reed/Lafayette and Cherokee
• Implementation of the master plan for Dickerson Park Zoo with emphasis on new exhibits for African primates, elephants, tigers, wolves and mountain lions
• Renovation and rehabilitation of historic parks such as Fassnight, Doling, Sequiota, Silver Springs, Smith and Washington
• Creation of an outdoor skating area at the popular SkatePark
• Greenway trails throughout the County to extend current trails, link trails to places like schools and The Library Center and create new trails

Over the past 10 years, Ozark Greenways has developed more than 25 miles of trail that provide the foundation for the area's greenways system. Ozark Greenways works closely with the Springfield-Greene County Park Department to plan trail construction. Volunteers, who include everyone from hiking enthusiasts to scouts fulfilling community service commitments to contractors donating labor and materials, provide crucial support in trail development. Passage of the November referendum would accelerate new trail development in Springfield and Greene County.

• The trail projects include:
• The South Dry Sac Greenway, west of McDaniel Lake in northern Greene County
• The Little Sac or "Trail Between the Lakes" connecting McDaniel and Fellows lakes in northern Greene County
• The Frisco Highline, a rails-to-trails project that is eventually expected to link Springfield to Bolivar
• The Fassnight Greenway, which would run west of Fassnight Park
• The Ward Branch Greenway, which would allow southwest residents to walk to The Library Center from nearby
• neighborhoods
• The Jordan Creek Greenway, an urban corridor through central Springfield
• The South Creek-Wilson Creek Greenway that will eventually link Meador Park to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
• The James River Greenway from eastern Greene County south to the Lake Springfield area

Valley Water Mill Project ...to demonstrate...to educate
By Jeanette Unsell, VWM Task Force Chair

These are exciting and busy times as the Valley Water Mill project moves forward. As you may remember, a task force of community leaders was formed last year to assist the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks in making this dream for a demonstration/education facility located at VWM a reality. We, the Task Force, have developed a concept plan and request for qualifications with the intent of having a design firm selected by late fall. We are committed to having all aspects of the project be a model for environmentally sustainable practices from its inception.

A DNR 319 grant is in progress to retrofit the lake. It is progressing along the approval route; we await final status this fall.

The Valley Water Mill demonstration/education complex will utilize existing attributes and create new and innovative best management practices around the terrain features. Site features include: 15-acre lake, Sander Spring, wetlands, bluffs, glade, sinkholes, forests, cave, stream, losing stream and a karst "swallow hole". The integrated design spaces and structure will utilize innovative techniques, plus natural and earth-friendly building materials. The "connecting spaces" between site and structure will be indoor/outdoor classrooms and meeting spaces, gardens, and laboratories. The fifteen-acre lake will be retrofitted as a regional water quality BMP demonstration. This project will be developed in two, possibly three phases, with the lake retrofit, trails, dock and outdoor interpretive feature centers/classrooms in phase one. Phasing will enable us to incorporate the latest technological advances to accommodate virtual offices/branches in related fields. Partnerships will broaden our scope of services; they will also enable us to establish a premier demonstration and education training facility that will showcase good watershed stewardship to citizens across the entire Midwest. Our sponsors, City Utilities, City of Springfield, Greene County and the City/County Parks Department, are supportive of our dream becoming a reality.

Task Force members are: Jim Bresee; Anne Busch; Dr. Bill Cheek; Carol S. DeHaven; Duane Galloway; John Griesemer; Fred May; Fred Palmerton, P.E.; Tim Smith, P.E.; John Twitty and Jeanette Unsell.

The Value of Trees

One large shade tree in your front yard -

• Saves $30 per year in air conditioning costs
• Increases your home's market value by 1%
• Absorbs 10 pounds of air pollutants per year
• Absorbs 350 pounds of carbon dioxide, converting it to wood and replacing it with oxygen in the air
• In a heavy rain, intercepts nearly 800 gallons of water - slowing runoff, reducing flooding, promoting recharge of groundwater and preventing erosion

Source: Missouri Conservationist, April 2001

What to do with Fall Decorations?
-- Recycle Them!

Organic Fall decorations, including pumpkins, gourds, straw bales and corn shocks can all be recycled through composting. The softer items will, of course, break down quicker in a home compost. The woodier items will need to be chopped into smaller pieces to ensure efficient decomposition in home composts. The City's Yardwaste Recycling Center will accept pumpkins and straw in with grass clippings. Corn shocks are accepted as brush. For information, call the City's Recycling Hotline at 864-1904.

Put Fall Leaves to Work

FREE MULCH
Shredded leaves retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve your soil. Gather leaves this fall, shred them up, and store in a dry place. Next spring, surround plants with a 2-3 inch layer.

WARM INSULATION
Nature knows best! A 6-inch deep blanket of shredded leaves protects tender perennials, roses, and other plants from cold weather and drying winds. Cover your carrots and beets with leaves and harvest them all winter!

BETTER SOIL
Leaves are a free fertilizer and excellent soil builder! Gather and shred your leaves this fall and mix them right into your garden. Next spring, your soil will be teeming with earthworms and other beneficial organisms.

N0-WORK COMPOST
Mix some nitrogen into a pile of shredded leaves. Water well and cover with a tarp. Next spring you'll have "leaf mold" to enrich your flower beds and vegetable garden. Leaf mold holds 3-5 times its weight in water, rivaling peat moss.

For more tips about making the most of fall leaves, visit the garden information section at www.gardeners.com.

Reminder: Proper Leaf Disposal Options Do Not Include Gutters and Streets

Springfield is very fortunate to have many attractive and mature trees that add to the quality of life and the general attractive appearance of our neighborhoods. Preservation of this valuable asset makes it all the more important that we care for our trees in a responsible and environmentally sound manner. This care includes the proper disposal of the leaves and other debris from our trees.

In 1992, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources banned yardwaste from Missouri landfills. This ban included grass clippings, leaves, and brush, which left many Missourians without a place to dispose of yardwaste. In response to this community need, the City implemented several programs to inform and assist in environmentally sound ways to recycle yardwaste for our residents.

The City also provided educational information on the best ways to recycle yardwaste, which included mulching (grass & leaves) to add these nutrient rich materials back into the soil to improve the appearance of our lawns. This alternative is also more convenient as it eliminates the needless bagging of grass and leaves, not to mention hauling costs.

Another alternative is individual home composting of yardwaste and all that is required is a small compost bin, which provides residents with a convenient and economical option for reusing grass and leaves without having to haul these materials to an approved processing facility. The composted materials can then be used to enhance the soil in flower and vegetable gardens. To learn more about composting of yardwaste you can call the Recycling Hotline, 864-1904.

The City operates a Yardwaste Recycling Center (YRC) to provide residents with another environmentally friendly alternative to handling grass and leaves. The YRC processes the grass clippings and leaves into compost for reuse as a soil amendment and then distributes the compost to residents that use the compost for landscaping or garden needs.

The City also accepts small quantities of yardwaste at the Franklin Recycling Center, 731 N. Franklin, and at the Lone Pine Recycling Center, 3020 S. Lone Pine. This recycling alternative is offered to City residents at a minimal cost (donation requested) to cover transportation costs to the YRC. The YRC accepts yardwaste from City residents at no charge. The recycling hotline can be called for more information or directions to the YRC.

In addition to making information available about environmentally friendly alternatives, the City will bring to citizens' attention that City ordinances prohibit anyone from placing grass clippings or leaves into the street, waterways, or in roadside ditches.

Disposing of grass clippings or leaves in waterways or roadside ditches creates flooding, erosion and water quality issues. When waterways and ditches become blocked with grass clippings and leaves, there is also a flooding potential, which could result in property damage.

Disposing of grass clippings or leaves into your street can also create safety concerns for your neighborhood by reducing the traction between a vehicle and the roadway, which could contribute to an accident. Additionally, the improper disposal of yardwaste needlessly adds nutrients to our streams and lakes, which in turn promotes objectionable algae growth.

"Tree-Mendous!"
By Ann Carter, Education Director

On August 5, 2001, the Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS), in partnership with ArborCare of the Ozarks, a local tree care and consulting company, held a "TREE-MENDOUS" Day! This wonderfully successful and free event reached over 450 visitors, children and adults alike, who came to DCS and participated in special activities promoting tree care. Kevin Harrel, owner and ISA Certified Arborist, was available to answer questions or help with problems related to trees.

Children were invited to participate in a coloring contest in the DCS Explor-atory Lab, "dress up like an arborist", and practice with tiny chain saws. Everyone was encouraged to sit on tree chairs and look through tree books, view a tree video, and have fun getting a hands-on view of tree pests at a special exhibit table. Ozark Greenways and Missouri Community Forestry Council had educational materials on hand to further the visitors' experiences.

The nationally renowned Biodiversity 911 traveling exhibit, on display at DCS through August, created a great backdrop for the day, with emphasis placed on environmental stewardship and biodiversity issues of a regional and global scale.

Healthy Water, Healthy People

The Discovery Center of Springfield will be the site of the second annual National Project WET "Make a Splash with Project WET" on Friday, September 21, 2001. The theme of the festival this year is Healthy Water, Healthy People. On this same day, water festivals will be held throughout the 50 states and at several international sites as well.

What is getting WET all about? WET stands for Water Education for Teachers. The National Project WET organization makes an excellent curriculum available to teachers who go through a six-hour day of training. Beginning last year, Project WET, with the help and support of grant moneys from the Perrier Group of America, began a National Project WET festival day to expose children to the importance of the conservation of water.

Shae Johnson, 4th Grade teacher at Greenwood Laboratory School at SMSU; Loring Bullard, Director of The Watershed Committee of the Ozarks; and Barbara Lucks, Materials Recovery/Education Coordinator for Springfield Public Works, will once again coordinate the water festival. They have invited the third through fifth grade students of Fairbanks Elementary to join the Greenwood 4th graders at the festival to be held at the Discovery Center in Springfield.

Their teachers will be provided with brochures, posters, and educator guides, as well as a beautiful literature anthology entitled, "Spring Waters: Gathering Places" to use with the children. In order for the children to better understand the importance of the conservation of water, teachers who are able to will provide pre-festival experiments and experiences using the curriculum materials provided.

Children will be given a 16-page student activity booklet, "Healthy Water, Healthy People KIDs", along with a sack, bookmark, pencil, festival journal and a Discover Ground Water and Springs student activity book. There will be bottled water at the festival provided by the Perrier Group of America. That organization is providing the grant moneys to make the festivals possible.

The festival will bring together facilitators from the following agencies: Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, The Discovery Center, Dickerson Park Zoo, City of Springfield, Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, Project WET facilitators from the colleges of Education and Natural and Applied Science, James River Basin Partnership and pre-service college students. It is an exciting opportunity for us to share the importance of caring for one of our most precious natural resources-water.

Potpourri

Flowers: More than Meets the Eye
We grow flowers for their pleasing colors and scents, but flowers also have an important job to do. They are the food supply for countless insects, birds and even bats, providing sweet nectar and protein-rich pollen. Pollinators repay the favor by helping plants reproduce. But many of today's hybrid flowers don't produce pollen. Do your part to help pollinator populations by planting a variety of pollen-rich flowers such as dill, clover, and mint.
Source: Gardener's Supply Company www.gardeners.com

1. Collect rainwater from your roof to use on your garden. Just one-tenth inch of rain will provide 62 gallons from a 1,000 square foot roof.
2. Water early in the morning. You'll lose less water to evaporation.
3. Use mulches to reduce evaporation from the soil.
4. Prevent surface runoff. Is your garden on a slope? If so, consider terraced plantings or plant a ground cover to keep the water (and soil) from washing away.
5. Water the roots, not the foliage. Use root-zone and drip irrigation whenever possible.

EPA Spells Out Warnings for CCA-treated Wood
EPA completed its review of a plan developed by the American Wood Preservers Institute (AWPI) to inform consumers about wood treated with the pesticide chromated copper arsenic (CCA).

EPA spelled out for AWPI manufacturers how to inform the public of the presence of arsenic in treated wood in products such as decks, fences, posts, picnic tables, docks and playground equipment. Five messages printed on clearly legible labels will be affixed to both the ends of pieces of lumber and their containers, racks, or bins. EPA says the labels should read:

• Caution: Arsenic is in the pesticide applied to this wood
• Never burn treated wood
• Wear dust mask and goggles when cutting or sanding wood
• Wear gloves when working with wood
• Ask for the Consumer Safety Information Sheet

The information program begins immediately and, by Fall, will include labeling on all pieces of CCA-treated lumber and store displays.

Contacts: Anne Lindsay, EPA, (703) 305-7410, Lindsay.anne@epamail.epa.gov or Scott Ramminger, AWPI, (703) 204-0500 or info@awpi.org Check out the following web site for energy saving tips and information: www.energystar.gov

News Around the Region

Master Gardeners Celebrate Fruits of Partnership
The Master Gardeners of Southwest Missouri, along with representatives from the Springfield/Greene County Park Board and City Utilities of Springfield, celebrated their long-time and successful partnership in the garden created by the union. The Xeriscape Garden, visible from National Avenue between Bennett and Sunshine, was the site of an evening gathering (under the new lights!) on August 16, amid renewed and renovated planting areas. The Xeriscape Garden was designed and built as an educational garden, showcasing various planting techniques to demonstrate water efficient landscaping, as well as irrigation alternatives. Further work is planned, as well as a formal rededication at a later date.

Ground is Broken on the Park -- Jordan Valley Park
On August 13, ground was broken on the on the first phase of Jordan Valley Park’s open space area. Located on 12 acres along East Trafficway between the Ice Park and Sherman Avenue, this portion of Jordan Valley Park includes an interactive water feature, an amphitheater stage, a promenade, formal and informal gardens, a picnic area, bicycle routes, and a future children’s play area. A special area of native Missouri plantings – "Missouri Hills" -- is also included. The project is funded by revenue from the hotel-motel tax increase approved overwhelmingly by Springfield voters in February, l988. Funding also includes federal transportation enhancement grant money for streetscapes. The public Grand Opening for the Park is planned for May 2002. Flintco, Inc. is the general contractor for the $3,000,000+ project.

Household Chemical Collection Center Celebrates Anniversary
The City of Springfield’s Household Chemical Collection Center (HCCC) marked its seventh year of service to Springfield and Greene County residents in mid-August. Since opening, the Center has collected 660,615 pounds of household chemicals, with an average recycling rate of 85%. The Center accepts chemicals and materials generated from households free of charge to residents of Springfield and Greene County. Items such as paints and other home-improvement solvents, fuels, batteries, cleaning supplies, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals are accepted by appointment. For more information, or to make an appointment, call (417) 864-2000.

Solid Waste Management District "O" Hosts State Meeting
On June 6, Solid Waste Advisory Board members and staff from throughout the state met in Springfield at the first such Board Meeting to be held away from Jefferson City. In addition to the regular meeting proceedings and presentations showcasing the waste reduction efforts in Solid Waste District "O" and the City of Springfield, the approximately 60 attendees were treated to lunch and a guided tour of the Canbrands Products Division of Ralston Purina Company manufacturing plant. Tours of Springfield facilities, as well as area recycling services, were also offered.

Extension Office of Waste Management to Close
The University of Missouri Extension Office of Waste Management will close on September 15. The Household Hazardous Waste Project will continue in a research, consulting, and policy development role for the next year. Marie Steinwachs, OWM director, said state budget cuts led to the program cutbacks but that she looks forward to working on research and policy from home while completing graduate studies. Communication should be sent to Marie Steinwachs, 1221 W. Tracker Rd., Nixa MO 65714, (417) 725-5407. Her e-mail address will remain steinwachsm@missouri.edu

Public Works Week is Observed at the Discovery Center
Springfield Public Works staff hosted a free day of fun and education at the Discovery Center of Springfield on May 21 in observance of National Public Works Week. Over 130 fourth-graders from local elementary schools enjoyed special demonstrations of "big toys" (public works equipment – a bucket truck, a sewer maintenance truck equipped with the ability to inspect underground pipes via television cameras, and a safety/barricade exhibit), as well as all the fun and educational activities at the Discovery Center. The new exhibit, "Our Watershed", was a feature of the educational demonstrations. The exhibit was donated to the Discovery Center by a partnership of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Silver Dollar City, and Springfield Public Works Divisions of Sanitary Services and Solid Waste Management through a project coordinated by The Watershed Committee of the Ozarks.

Calendar of Events

September 10 Show-Me Yards and Neighborhoods Workshops. For Lawn Care Professionals and for Homeowners For information, call 864-2005
September 15-16 Ozark Greenways' MS-150 Bike Ride. To bike along or make a pledge for the team, call Ozark Greenways, 864-2015
September 20 Ozark Greenways' "An Evening in the Orchard." For information on how to join the fun or become an underwriter, call Lori at Ozark Greenways, 864-2015
September 21 Dickerson Park Zoo's "Ball of the Wild" Fundraising Event. For information, call Don Tillman, 833-1570
September 27-29 International Rails-to-Trails Conference, St. Louis, MO. For information, call Ozark Greenways, 864-2015
October 4 League of Women Voters General Meeting. Topic: Parks Tax Proposal -- Providing for the Future. 7:00 PM, Mid-America Cancer Center, 2055 S. Fremont For information, call 881-5877
October 25 and 27 "Share the Earth" Workshop for Group Leaders. For information, call 874-8120, Ext. 216
November 2 American National Fish and Wildlife (Wonders of Wildlife) Museum Opening. For information, call 890-9453
November 6-8 White River Basin Forum. For information, call Wally Miller, DNR, 891-4300
November 9-11 Missouri Environmental Education Assn. Conference at Tan-Tar-A

For information, call Wayne Hoover, 573-882-9552

Environmental Educators to Gather at Tan-Tar-A

Getting education out of the classroom and into the community is the goal of the Sixth Annual Conference on Environmental Education November 9 through 11. The event, cosponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation Office of Environmental Education and the Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA), will highlight the best practices of teachers and non-formal educators making a positive difference in their community.

"Our theme for the conference is From Awareness to Action - Renewing Community through Environmental Education," says Conference Co-chairperson, Kim Wade. "We want educators from all walks of life to attend the conference. We've planned programs and workshops that will help teachers, youth leaders, naturalists and community leaders use the resources within their communities to enhance lessons about the environment and conservation and to help students value natural resources."

Conference activities include more than 50 presentations and workshops with hands-on activities and field trips. Keynote speaker, Delia Clark from Antioch New England Graduate School, will enlighten participants to innovative ideas for incorporating environmental education into classrooms and communities.

The MEEA annual membership meeting will also be held at the conference.

Registration for the conference is $125 for MEEA members and $150 for non-MEEA members who sign up by October 19. Late and on-site registration is $175. A special $50 fee will be offered to full-time students. The fee covers conference participation and meals, excluding the banquet. Additional fees will be charged for some field trips and professional development workshops. For more information or a registration form call Wayne Hoover, (573) 882-9552. To register online or to view the registration brochure, visit the conference web site.

Tails from the Trail …from Ozark Greenways

In May, City Utilities and Ozark Greenways teamed up to promote Bike to Work Week. Fun? You bet! City Utilities gave free bus passes to all passengers with bicycles to showcase their new bike racks on the busses. They gave 324 free rides that week! Ozark Greenways awarded free one-year memberships to cyclists who bused, biked, or traveled to work by a combination of bike and bus any four days that week. Cyclists that reported to Ozark Greenways saved a total of over 508 miles of driving for the week…fall is a great time to cycle, so enjoy a morning and commute to work by bike.

Cyclists will soon be cycling over recycled auto tires on Galloway Creek Greenway. Ozark Greenways has received a grant from Waste District "O" for the inclusion of a product called RUMBER, which will be used for decking bridge surfaces on the trail.

Also on the Galloway Trail the new trail surface will be utilizing Glassfault, a recycled glass and asphalt mixture. Blevins Asphalt assisted Ozark Greenways with an Earth Day collection activity at the Lone Pine Recycling Center, as 75 tons of glass will be required for the project. The trail is scheduled to be surfaced later this month.

Thanks to the 3M Foundation and local 3M employees who are Ozark Greenways members new information kiosks will soon be on the trails. The 3M Foundation awarded OGI a $5,000 grant for this trail improvement. The kiosks will contain colorful maps, photos, and trail information, which are planned to be on the trails this fall.

We would like to thank City Utilities, The City of Springfield, Andy’s Frozen Custard, The Forest Institute of Psychology, the Neely Family and O’ Reilly Auto Parts for their support of the 2001 National Trails Day celebration held on June 2.

Success of City and Canbrands Partnership Recognized

The successful partnership between the City of Springfield and Canbrands Products Division of Ralston Purina was recognized as a recipient of the 2001 Governor’s Environmental Excellence and Pollution Prevention Award at a luncheon held at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach on Thursday, July 26. Governor Bob Holden presented the award to Barbara Lucks, Materials Recovery/Education Coordinator for Springfield Public Works.

The Governor’s Awards honor businesses, organizations, and communities that have shown outstanding commitment to improve Missouri’s environment through pollution prevention and energy conservation practices. Sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the awards recognize individuals, employers, municipalities and institutions working to benefit both our economy and environment. The awards support the premise that environmental awareness makes good business sense.

Working with the economic development staffs of City Utilities and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the willingness of the City to work with Canbrands to obtain the required supply of newsprint was a deciding factor that moved Springfield ahead of the other sites under consideration (l5 states and several locations within each state). The plant went into full production in January 1999 and, within 12 weeks of opening, a second shift had been added and then an additional production line. The plant represented an investment of $3 million in construction costs for the 30,000 square feet facility. Annual local expenditures are estimated at $650,000 in payroll and locally purchased goods and services.

Since opening in January 1999, through May 2001, nearly 12,400 tons of newsprint and mixed paper have been recycled at the plant. "Yesterday’s News" cat litter has been manufactured at the plant since opening. "SecondNature" dog litter, the only product of its kind, also made from recycled newsprint and mixed paper, has been manufactured at the plant since Canbrands was purchased by Ralston Purina in the fall of 1999. Future projections for the Springfield plant include a steady increase in product sales for the next year. Increased sales translate into increased quantities of recycled paper. Compared to quantities of paper collected at the time of the l999 opening, volumes to date have doubled.

River Rescue 2001
By Diana Sheridan

This year's River Rescue event was a success in every way. The new format for activities allowed more participants than ever before. Although the weather dampened some of the attendance, each day was filled with adventure and discovery on the James River.

Hundreds of thousands of people viewed outstanding stories on KY3 each night. James River Basin Partnership and KY3 cooperated to develop the stories to reflect the history, heritage, and beauty of the James River and to educate the public about what they can do to protect this natural resource.

Over 100 people joined JRBP for float trips each day on the James River. The float trips focused on getting people out on the river to enjoy its beauty. While we were out we picked up litter along the way. By the end of the week we realized that we had conducted a significant clean up of this stretch of the James River. (We were also surprised at the small quantities of litter found--thanks to Nixa Parks and Recreation Summer Programs). Bruce Treadwell of Y-Bridge Canoe Rental in Galena did an outstanding job of making each float a success.

Over 40 people joined us at the Springfield Brewing Company to enjoy James River Red and water quality discussions. We anticipated more members of the public to participate in this activity and were disappointed about the weak turnout. This was a great opportunity for citizens to get to know the partnership in an informal, air-conditioned format.

Three hundred people or more joined us at Y-Bridge Park for the Final River Rescue 2001 Celebration, featuring Big Smith and a delicious dinner including smoked chicken, beef, turkey legs, potato salad, beans, cookies and ice cream. We also had a silent auction and gave away hundreds of door prizes. This celebration was a great finale for an exciting week on the James River.

"Biodiversity 911"Huge Success at the Discovery Center of Springfield!
By Ann Carter, Education Director

A rhino afraid of poachers, a comical pile of dirt desperately in need of roots to avoid erosion, the neurotic shrimp twins fearful of over-fishing, a fatally-wounded giant sequoia, and a beluga whale providing "aroma therapy" to combat toxins…all characters in this wonderfully educational and fun exhibit emphasizing the negative impacts upon our environment with an Emergency Room physician leading visitors to practical methods of environmental stewardship in "Biodiversity 911", the World Wildlife Fund's newest traveling exhibit.

Springfield, Missouri, and the Discovery Center (DCS) have been proud hosts of this interactive and innovative traveling exhibit. With financial assistance from the Solid Waste District Region "O", the DCS was the first site in the country to host this 3-month exhibition. To date, the DCS has already served over 5,000 general visitors to the exhibit plus 48 students for our summer workshops featuring biodiversity and over 400 children and adults for our related environmental programs. From Springfield, "Biodiversity 911" will travel across the country to other science centers, children's museums, and educational facilities.

As the premiere educational resource for Southwest Missouri, the Discovery Center's seven areas of educational focus include archeology, agriculture, communications, health, architecture, transportation and environment. DCS is the only youth activity center in this region that offers and utilizes such a wide range of exhibits, hands-on activities, and programs exploring such a broad spectrum of educational goals. Central to our mission, the Discovery Center provides an enriching setting in which kids of all ages can interact, learn and have fun. More specifically to our environmental focus, ignorance is viewed as our enemy, while education is the best means by which DCS can show others, young and old alike, practical methods by which to recycle, recover and divert materials from the waste stream. "Biodiversity 911' has been a great enhancement for our Center, the Springfield community, and visitors from far and wide.

FREE Enviro-Mania classes (also through a grant from Solid Waste District Region "O") are taught at
the Discovery Center, 438 St. Louis Street, Springfield, Missouri, 65806.
For more information, please call (417) 862-9910, Ext. 701.

Master Gardener Project Helps the Community
By Gaylord Moore

When Henry Justis takes on a project with the Master Gardeners, he sees that it impacts the community in more ways than one. Mr. Justis, a retired banker originally from Mountain View, Missouri, uses his knowledge and skills to promote vegetable production and emphasize the value of gardening for health with body and soul in mind.

Originally, the vegetable demonstration garden at Nathaniel Greene Park in Springfield was established to show the gardening community how to effectively grow vegetable crops for the home garden. In addition, the project has developed into a valuable resource to the Victory Mission, where over 600 pounds of fresh produce has been delivered to help feed the hungry.

The vegetable demonstration garden is only one of many horticulture demonstration projects in which the Master Gardeners are actively involved. These projects demonstrate methods of production and management that promote environmentally sound principles adaptable by the home gardener.

Back to School Tips…

• Ask the teacher to incorporate environmental education in the classroom and to offer recycling opportunities.
• Packing a lunch? Use a lunch box or cloth bag. Put food in reusable containers and poor juice in a thermos instead of one-serving boxes.
• Use every page in the notebook…front and back.
• Use the blank side of photocopied worksheets for scratch paper.

The 10 Best Ways to Reduce Heating Costs and Remain Comfortable

1. Weatherstrip around doors and windows. You can dodge drafts by installing low-cost weatherstripping around doors and windows. Sometimes a rolled-up rug or towel will do the trick. To keep cold air from circulating under your house, close the foundation vents. Don't forget to close and seal basement windows, too.
2. Raise the humidity…lower the temperature. If the air in your home becomes dry in the winter, you will require a higher thermostat setting to remain comfortable. Add moisture, lower the thermostat -- you'll be comfortable and save energy, too.
3. Adjust your water heater temperature. Adjust your water heater so kitchen temperature is between 120-130oF. Wrapping your water heater with an insulation blanket will help reduce heat loss through the tank walls, which is where the majority of your water heating energy dollars will go.
4. Install a programmable thermostat. You can easily save energy by adjusting the thermostat when you're away (or asleep). You can save 3-5% of your heating costs for each degree you set your thermostat below 68o.
5. Open shades…let the sunlight in. Make the most of the sun's warmth by opening shades and draperies during the day and closing them at night.
6. Remove window air conditioners or seal around them. Window units, if left in place during the winter, should be wrapped on the inside and good weatherstripping should be used to block air infiltration around the unit. If wrapped on the outside, warm, moist air from inside the home can condense and freeze inside the unit, possibly causing damage to the system.
7. Install sealers at outlets and switches. If you feel cold air leaking through electrical outlet or switch covers, seal them with inexpensive foam gaskets.
8. Don't let heat go up in smoke. In cold weather the furnace may have to work harder if you're using a conventional fireplace. When the mercury drops to about 25o or below, that fireplace will probably draw more heat up the chimney than it produces. Be sure the damper is closed when no fire is burning.
9. Maintain your furnace. Check the filter in your forced air heating system once a month. If they are clogged or dirty, clean or replace them -- your furnace will work more efficiently. Have your furnace serviced periodically.
10. Check your ducts. Ducts are usually out of sight and out of mind. Over time, ducts can become disjointed or loosen from the registers, sending your valuable heat to the attic or crawlspace. Check your duct system and, if necessary, have a qualified technician do repairs, insulate and seal.

Source: City Utilities Home Energy Fact Sheet

For more Energy Saving Tips, call CU's Energy Management Specialist at 831-8348.

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