Upcoming Programs
Our programs for members only are held the third Monday of every month at the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks’ building at Valley Water Mill Park. Come early for refreshments. The program starts at 6:30 p.m.
Programs are posted on our calendar, or for more details, you may contact our program chair, Charley Burwick, at 860-9505 or ozarkbirder@gmail.com. Here’s an image from our January program on snakes of Missouri by John Miller of the Missouri Department of Conservation. The photo is of Eli Kromrey.
Here is a program preview:
Feb. 20 – “The Real History of Bull Creek” by Dr. Stephen Jones, retired professor of biology and retired director of the environmental studies program, Drury University. Dr. Jones has long been involved in the study of the environmental health of lakes and streams in southwest Missouri. In 1999, he received a faculty research grant to study the biotic integrity of the Finley River. In 2001, he was a co-recipient of a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Drury University, Missouri State University, Wonders of Wildlife Museum and the James River Basin Partnership to assess the ecological health of the upper White River basin tributaries.
March 19 – “Trunk Talk” is an introduction to our chapter’s five trunk educational programs. Why do we call them “trunks”? Because all the cool stuff Jay’s assembled comes in a big plastic trunk for easy hauling. We’ll have 10-minute presentations from our trunk teams on bison, insects and spiders, birds, mammals/fur bearers of Missouri and reptiles and amphibians. If you’re interested in educational service hours, this is a good opportunity to learn what resources and “experts” we have and decide if you’d like to be trained to be part of a trunk team.
April 16 – “Alligator Snapping Turtle Active Research” by Day Ligon, assistant professor of biology, Missouri State University. Dr. Ligon grew up on a hobby farm in Loveland, Colorado. He earned a B.S. degree in biology at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. His interest in herpetology led him to Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, where he studied mud turtles in the desert southwest for his master’s degree, then many other types of turtles, including the alligator snapping turtle, for his dissertation. He joined Missouri State University in 2008 where he continues his 15-year study of turtles. He has been involved in alligator snapping turtle conservation and research since 2002.
June 18 – “Missouri Fisheries” by Allen Brandes, fisheries regional programs supervisor, Missouri Department of Conservation. Allen will give an overview of the fisheries program in southwest Missouri, including management of both warm- and cold-water fisheries.
Remembrance of Things Past: a Good Time was had by All
Fun, frolic, and food, glorious food, were the centerpieces of our Dec. 12 holiday party at Valley Water Mill Park. The tables were laden with wild game (trout, pig and venison), with all the trimmings, topped off with to-die-for desserts (think calories galore).
Below are some photos from the event, which also included a silent auction that raised $843 and induction of officers for 2012: Jennifer Ailor, president; Michael Baird, vice president, Barbara Lucks, treasurer; and Marlyss Simmons, secretary.
The evening’s entertainment placed outgoing president Carl Haworth center stage as Santa’s elves plastered him with badges of honor and gifts of homage. It seems that presidents of the Plateau Chapter are fair game, and the elves have long memories!
Recap of Past Programs
One of the strengths of the Springfield Plateau Chapter is its history of outstanding monthly programs for its members. Our programs have included presentations on snakes of Missouri, water resources, air quality, snapping turtles, journaling, mussels, cottonmouths, archery and firearms, feral hogs, taxidermy, nature photography, knots, rain gardens, flint knapping and points, fossils and lichens–just to name a few! 
These programs provide advance learning opportunities for members. Our chapter meets the third Monday of each month. Members volunteer to bring snacks, and we graze and network until the program begins at 6:30 p.m. Following the presentation by a guest speaker, typically about an hour, we have a business meeting, also about an hour.
Here’s a complete list of programs/advanced training presentations from June 2006 through November 2011.
Photos below are from the 2010 program at Sequiota Park on bats.
