Missouri Environmental Education News: January 2025
Welcome to the lastest edition of MEEA's Newsletter
Table of Contents
- Feature Article
- Lesson Resources
- Annual Conference & Professional Development
- Featured Events, Grants, Workshops & Webinars
- JEDIA: Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
- Green Schools Corner
- Missouri Nature Phenomena This Month
- News from the Field
Happy New Year, friends!
As we bring in 2025 together, I’d like to challenge all of us to focus on the places where we live…our land, our towns, our counties, our regions, and, ultimately, our state: The Great State of Missouri.
I was born and raised in the southwest region, Joplin mostly, but also the Branson area. I was inspired early on to observe and love Nature by experiencing what used to be Missouri’s four distinct seasons (including multiple ‘tornado seasons’ for sure!). My siblings and I were outside pretty much all the time–climbing trees, making forts, going fishing or swimming in Tablerock Lake or Shoal Creek, hiking to collect blackberries and being mesmerized by bats and bugs flying under street lights.
I love our State so much! Missouri has such diverse and interesting landscapes, and thinking of that as we move into the new year, I was inspired to focus on Missouri as Place; where we live, and how that impacts our lives. And also with a focus on remembering to educate more effectively by connecting what we teach to Place so that all of our learners feel empathy to the educational concepts they learn from us. They will remember what we teach if it feels real to THEM, where they live.
Therefore, this year be looking for articles and other submissions in this newsletter that speak to this concept of Place, and help us explore the multiple unique regions of Missouri. A few years ago, the amazing natural and cultural resources that the Missouri State Parks system manages were often referred to as Missouri Masterpieces. I’ve always been inspired by that metaphor–that these incredible features that surround us in our state are like epic paintings or sculptures, invaluable and so worth preserving forever.
So, friends, whatever MO region you are from, know that MEEA is here for you as you do the good work of Environmental Education! And I challenge you to take a look outside your own back door to be reminded of the absolute grandeur of where you live–a Place called Missouri.
Jamin Bray, MEEA Co-Director
Feature Article: Missouri’s “Masterpieces”
This year, let’s celebrate Missouri’s Natural Wonders by Regions
Article and lesson ideas submitted by:
Jamin Bray
MEEA C0-Director, Salem, MO
So many maps, so little time!! I am and have always been a total Map Geek 🙂 I guess it’s because I’m a very visual learner, and maps make things make more sense to me. Plus, they are at the same time artistic AND scientific–just like me! As a practical matter, maps can pretty quickly tell a story, and the story of Missouri’s regions becomes obvious when we study the many maps that show the evolution of the regions within which we Missourians live.
Let’s face if, humans have historically settled in areas where we can find what we need to survive. So, logically most of the population grew up over time near water. The drier and more rugged landcapes have fewer people, even to this day. Yes, we humans have managed to change the landscapes to hold back, move, or drill for water, but still most Missourians live in places first established by the big rivers and watersheds (St Louis, Kansas City, Springfield).
Over time we also found places where we could grow things–where there was decent soil and, of course, water. So we also adjusted the prairies so that we could harvest crops from larger and larger tracks of land. So, our state like so many others in the midwest became agricultural states, and our native prairies becam more and more rare.
Where I live, in southcentral MO on top of the ‘Salem Plateau,’ there really aren’t too many folks who actually live here. It’s rocky, there’s hardly any rich soil, the water table is about 500 ft below the surface, and we’re just about 2 1/2 hours drive away from any city or large airport. We do have some features that are super special in this region, including: large tracks of Oak-Hickory and Pine forests, scenic and pristine riverways, and fantastic parks and conservation areas for hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and other spectacular places to visit and explore.
My point here goes to the idea of connecting to place. In the work that we do as educators, we should try our best to connect our learners to their own experiences and to where they live. It’s much more effective to explore and learn about a forest ecosystem when it’s right outside your rural school door! A student who gets into the water of an Ozark Stream and observes the macoinvertebrates who cling to the rocks and require clean, oxygenated water will be more likely to care for that waterway. A learner who views a bison herd grazing in a tall grass prairie will better understand the importance of those ecosystems and their inhabitants in their region of Missouri.
I have the luxury and opportunity to travel to all corners of Missouri to do my work with MEEA, and explore the many regions and diverse communities across the state. I’ve discovered that I love them all for the different masterpieces that can be found in each. The maps I’ve included are only a few that show how cool and multifacted Missouri is!
For more information about exploring Missouri’s regions:
morap.missouri.edu/index.php/ecological-classification-for-missouri/
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/natural-areas
dnr.mo.gov/document-search/surface-elevation-map-mo-pub2874
https://archive.org/details/2002MoEcoregionsAtlas
Lesson Resources
Learning About the Show-Me State
Here is a wonderful set of facts, figures, photos and other images to use to expand knowledge and understanding of our State.
kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/states/article/missouri
Journey across the state by looking into the amazing “Places” represented by Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites.
Go to MO State Parks YouTube Channel for more delightful ideas to add to your lessons!
AND, find lessons and other teacher resources at this State Parks Online Resources for Educators (SPORE) site:
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has some awesome and free resources! Check them out at:
Annual Conference & Professional Development
Planning is Happening!
MEEA Annual Conference 2025
What we know so far:
- Our 2025 conference will be in the Central MO (Jeff City/CoMo) area.
- End of Oct/First of November––Exact date TBD
- Our conference planning committee is meeting regularly to plan your event.
- Young Environmental Leaders will be super involved!
- Venues have not yet been confirmed, but the sky’s the limit for both great conference spots and amazing outdoor spaces in Central Missouri!
email us with questions, comments and feedback.
**Interested in what a MEEA Conference might look like? Feel free to take a look back at the 2024 conference we hosted in Springfield. It was EPIC!
Thanks to MEEA Co-Director, Lesli Moylan, you are also welcome to view the impressive 2024 Conference complete report here:
canva.com/design/2024 MEEA Conference Report
New Professional Development Workshop Coming Soon!
Guidelines for Excellence Train the Trainer & Climate Justice Workshop
Do you want to learn new strategies for teaching about climate issues? Are you interested in professional development that will support your goals and qualifications?
Register HERE for this new MEEA workshop for formal and nonformal educators!
Join us for a hybrid full-day workshop focusing on two PD opportunities:
- Recieve training on the new ‘Educating on Climate Action & Justice’ Guidelines. This set of guidelines is designed to assist educators in developing and implementing effective programs that focus on climate change, address injustice, and ignite action.
- Become a member of NAAEE’s Guidelines Trainers’ Bureau. The Guidelines Trainers’ Bureau consists of environmental educators who have participated in previous Guidelines for Excellence workshops and are further prepared to give presentations to a variety of audiences about how the Guidelines can be used to improve our practice. Participants in this workshop will learn about all of the publications in the Guidelines for Excellence series and be given access to training resources. To learn more about the Guidelines for Excellence and the Guidelines Trainers’ Bureau, visit: naaee.org/programs/guidelines-excellence/guidelines-trainers-bureau
The Climate Education Guidelines portion will take place in the morning, and educators can sign up to participate in this portion only, if desired. The Train-the-Trainers portion will take place in the afternoon. To become part of the NAAEE Trainers Bureau, participants will have to attend both morning and afternoon sessions. Participants that are inducted into the Trainers Bureau will be eligible
to become moderators for MEEA’s online learning eeCourses/credentials.
**In-person participants will receive printed bound copies of 7 Guidelines for Excellence books!** See all of the current Guidelines series here (the books are available on the link to download): eepro.naaee.org/resource/guidelines-excellence-series
This workshop is being offered with the generous support of NAAEE and the L-A-D Foundation. Thank you!
Featured…
Events
Featured Event Series:
Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO) Winter Learning Series (ongoing)
Sign up for our Winter Learning Series webinars here!
Grants
Featured Grant:
Meramec Regional Affiliate Grantmaking Program FY25
The Meramec Regional Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for individuals in the Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski, Osage, and Washington counties area through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership.
- Applications are due 11:45 p.m. on January 24, 2025.
Workshops & Webinars
Featured Workshop:
MDC Discover Nature Schools
Upcoming Teacher Workshops across Missouri:
see calendar here: education.mdc.mo.gov/resources/teacher-workshops
JEDIA: Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility
Note: This document has so much detail, I will definitely keep a copy of it in our event planning files! JB
Planning Accessible Meeting and Events Toolkit
Created by the American Bar Association
Overview
Planning meetings and events—whether in-person or virtual—that are fully accessible for persons with disabilities might seem overwhelming, but with proper planning can become second nature. An effective approach begins with learning more about disabilities and the barriers that limit or preclude participation by persons with disabilities.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults in the United States has a disability that impacts a major part of their life. At some point during their lifetime, most everyone is likely to experience having a disability or know someone who has one, whether due to aging, chronic disease, illness, injury, etc. Every reasonable effort must be made to ensure that no person with any type of disability is prevented or
discouraged from attending—and from fully and equally participating in—any part of the meeting or event. Planners should reach out to persons with diverse types of disabilities, disability organizations, independent living centers, and the ADA National Network Centers for guidance and assistance. americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/commission-disability-rights/accessible-meetings-toolkit.pdf
Green Schools Corner
Apply for a Scholarship to the Green Schools Conference in Orlando, Florida!
Missouri and Southern Illinois educators who are currently enrolled in any of the Show-Me Green Schools programs** are invited to apply for a scholarship to attend the Green Schools Conference in Orlando, Florida on March 3-4. Applications are due by January 14th.
The 15th annual Green Schools Conference (GSC) will bring together all stakeholders involved in creating and advocating for green schools, focusing on those leading their schools and school systems toward whole-school sustainability. Each year, the conference program includes a variety of educational formats that offer a deep dive into the most pressing green school topics within the areas of environmental impact, health and wellness, environmental and sustainability education, and whole school sustainability culture. Visit greenschoolsconference.org to learn more and see the lineup of speakers, sessions, and field trip experiences.
For those interested in a scholarship to attend the conference, please apply below. Educators representing schools with over 50% of its student population qualifying for Free and Reduced Price Lunch will be prioritized. Winners of the scholarship will be announced January 20th.
**Show-Me Green Schools programs include the Green Schools Quest, Missouri Green Schools, and the US Department of Education’s Green Ribbon School Award
Are you interested in what it means to become a Green School?
Start by exploring here!
Green Schools employ practices to reduce environmental impacts and costs, improve health and wellness, and foster effective place-based education. They are healthy, high performing places that yield better learning for students, more effective teachers, fiscal responsibility, and resource conservation while engendering hope, connection, and agency in young learners.
Many schools want to go green, but don’t know how to start. Show-Me Green Schools, a suite of three free programs co-managed by Missouri Gateway Green Building Council and Missouri Environmental Education Association, provide structure, resources and recognition to support every Missouri PreK-12 school in becoming a green school – no matter their starting place.
For more information: showmegreenschools.org
Nature Phenomena This Month
News from the Field
Missouri News
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program
Grant Round is now open
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 7, 2025 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks is now accepting applications for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program. The National Park Service is anticipating recommending between 25-40 projects per year in the nationwide competition.
Eligible applicants include other state agencies and local governments, such as cities and counties, as well as special-purpose districts, including park districts, located within a community having a population of 25,000 or more in the 2020 Census and located within a designated underserved community.
Project request amounts are limited to a maximum of $15 million and a minimum of $300,000. The deadline to submit a project application is March 25 and Aug. 19 each year from 2025-2029.
For more information about this program and the application process, please visit mostateparks.com/page/55065/outdoor-recreation-grants.
see news release at: dnr.mo.gov/communications/news/outdoor-recreation-legacy-partnership-program-grant
National News
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report Released:
K-12 STEM Education and Workforce Development in Rural Areas
Rural areas can provide a rich context for learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but these communities and the students in them are often overlooked in ongoing efforts to expand access to high-quality K-12 STEM education and workforce development. Addressing barriers, often related to funding, and promoting unrecognized assets for STEM learning can enhance the ability of individuals in rural areas to further engage in and contribute to their communities or to broader scientific exploration and discovery.
K-12 STEM Education and Workforce Development in Rural Areas makes recommendations to federal, state, and local educational agencies, programs, and other relevant stakeholders to advance STEM education and workforce development for rural America. This report comes in response to a mandate within the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
See the National Academies report here.