Outreach & Service Overview

Here’s a brochure providing an overview of our dynamic chapter. The Springfield Plateau Chapter offers several classroom and educational presentations, known as our “trunk” shows, suitable for schools, Scouts and other youth groups, covering:

• Bison - Learn how Native Americans used every bit of the bison to sustain themselves
• Insects and spiders – Learn all about creeping, crawling or flying insects and spiders, how harmless most of them are and how we benefit from them
• Birds – Birding isn’t just for adults: learn to identify some of our common species
• Mammals – All about the wild critters in our forests, glades and prairies
• Reptiles and amphibians – All about snakes and frogs, toads and salamanders and other reptiles and amphibians
• Fur-bearing animals – Learn which animals are trapped for their furs in Missouri and how those furs are used
• Rotten log – Learn the inhabitants of rotten logs in the forest

Here are two photos of Mort Shurtz–and grandson Tyrus–in a presentation to first graders at Harrison Elementary School, Springfield, on fur bearers of Missouri.

And here are Rose Atchley, Gala Solari, Doris Ewing and Charles Stewart in other fur presentations.

To book one of these presentations or one about the Master Naturalist program, contact one of the following:

General Information, info@springfieldmasternaturalist.com

Allan Keller, outreach chair, 417-830-7197, akeller@fhfoodequipment.com

Jay Barber, Missouri Department of Conservation’s conservation education consultant, 417-895-6881, ext. 269, jay.barber@mdc.mo.gov

Project and Activity Opportunities

Joplin

Our fundraising effort to benefit Joplin topped $1,000, with half coming from individual members and the second half a match from the Plateau Chapter.  We will work with the Joplin chapter to determine the best use of the money. For example, it might go for tree planting or for some other environment-focused need. Stay tuned!

Images of Master Naturalists at Work

On a cool September morning that soon warmed up, Master Naturalists Charley Burwick and Jennifer Ailor joined with Audubon members Dave Catlin and Lisa Berger to supervise a team of Missouri State University students at the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks’ new facility at Valley Water Mill Park.

Over the course of about three hours, the group planted and mulched several dozen trees and shrubs in front of the entrance to the building. Others took a break from the shovels and picks to load up gravel from the lake and spread it along the trail linking the connecting bridges over the marsh. Others dug two deep holes and placed poles for bird feeders.  It was a productive morning!

A tiny snake found amongst the roots of one of the trees to be planted provided some unexpected entertainment…

A few days later, Master Naturalists Charley Burwick and Dan Crain moved a large boulder into place at the site to serve as a bubbler for birds.

Watch for other opportunities to volunteer and accumulate service hours at Valley Water Mill Park.

On Thursday, June 23, seven Master Naturalists shared their personal accounts of connecting with nature with students participating in the Green Leadership Academy for a Diverse Ecosystem (GLADE) program at Drury-Mincy Conservation Area.  In the images below, troubador Bob Ranney entertains the students and leaders. As a bonus, the group spotted as many as six wild elk on the property!

GLADE is a program for area teenagers developed by Missouri State University’s Biology Department and the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society. Teens spend seven days on site at Bull Shoals Field Station helping restore habitat and learning about environmental issues and projects. The program’s mission is to develop future environmental leaders.

Here are some images from a riparian bank planting on Bull Creek in April 2011 in which Master Naturalists and property owners in the Bull Creek Association worked to stabilize an eroding bank.

Here are images from a Swan Creek Stream Team.

Here’s a sampling of the butterflies we helped nurture at the Butterfly House at Close Memorial Park last summer for the Butterfly Festival:

Here are photos of some of the Master Naturalists involved with shrub plantings and rain gardens.

 

Christian County Watershed Festival 2012

Since 2004 The James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) has partnered with other organizations to offer Watershed Education Festivals to 5th grade students in counties within the James River Basin. Master Naturalists Bob Ranney (pictured left), Mort Shurtz, and a friend, J.D. Slaughter, seined
crayfish just below the Valley Water Mill Dam for the Christian County Watershed Festival held in Nixa on February 8th-9th and 14th-16th.

 

Calendar

Keep up to date with Springfield Plateau Chapter volunteer opportunities, monthly programs, field trips and more at our calendar.