Missouri Environmental Education News: July 2025
Welcome to the lastest edition of MEEA's Newsletter
Table of Contents
- Feature Article
- Lesson Resources
- Annual Conference & Professional Development
- Young Environmental Leaders
- Green Schools Corner
- Missouri Nature Phenomena This Month
Dear Friends,
This month I hope to clarify the concept of Inclusion. Three words: We Include Everyone!. In our mission statement, we confirm that we connect “every Missouri learner” to nature, and do everything in our power to set them up to take care of our earth. It’s honestly a simple, but also bold and powerful commitment. And we are determined to meet that challenge.
Rural communities across Missouri deserve inclusion, too, but sadly are often neglected when it comes to so many needs including education, job options, health care and access to services. That’s why we at MEEA are reaching out to some of the most important institutions in all communities, but particularly rural regions: Public Libraries.
I’m thrilled to feature a fabulous collaboration we recently completed with the Salem MO Public Library (in my home town way down in SE Missouri!). The L-A-D Foundation, which is based in Dent County but has regenerative forests across a large region, was kind enough to provide the funding support as we worked together with the Salem LIbrary to provide educational services to the community that will last for years (if not decades!).
Public Libraries are often a core space for community members to gather, read, study, connect, meet, and/or just “chill” and enjoy the positivity they can experience when surrounded by Learning. Support your local libraries any way you can! And, it is my hope that if you know of a library that would like to collaborate with MEEA, please let us know and we will connect and work some EE magic in their community, too 🙂
Jamin Bray, MEEA Co-Director
Feature Article–A SE Missouri Case Study: MEEA Collaborates with Regional Library
MEEA and the Salem Library Project
Note from Jamin:
One of the most exciting trends MEEA has discovered over the past year or so is the opportunity for us to work collaboratively with local and regional libraries (especially in rural areas) to expand environmental education and literacy. This article is an overview of an amazing experience we had this past year with the Salem Missouri Public Library (salempubliclibrary.net), thanks to the generous funding we received from the L-A-D Foundation. (We were also able to provide a professional development for educators using the Salem Library’s gathering space, with support from the NAAEE-Guidelines for Excellence Program)
We at MEEA are so grateful to the hard-working and brilliant Library Directors, Boards and Staff across Missouri, who care deeply about the citizens in their regions and the services they provide to their communities. For this particular project, we salute Kate McBride and all of her friendly staff who were behind the creative force that sparked this project and provided a fantastic “place” for us to serve educators and community members!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roots to Canopy: Connecting Dent County to Nature’s Classroom
A community project made possible through the collaboration between MEEA and the Salem, MO Public Library
with the generous funding from the L-A-D Foundation.
The Vision: Project Overview and Community Needs
Through the public library in Salem, Missouri, the headquarters of Pioneer Forest, MEEA sought to provide resources requested by the community that facilitate a connection to nature, promote place-based learning, and inspire environmental stewardship.
The Salem Public Library conducted a community survey, and results included items requested in this grant – nature-based reading and activity kits for families to check out, a telescope, and outdoor enhancements like nature-themed StoryWalks®. (StoryWalks® are an outdoor reading experience whereby a children’s book is deconstructed and the pages of the book are laminated and placed on portable stakes or in permanent kiosks along a walking trail.)
Not only did this project meet these tangible community requests, it also provided an opportunity to introduce MEEA and the many resources available through our varied networks to the Dent County community with a splash. Access to high quality environmental education resources in rural Missouri is a big issue in our state. Rural communities lack ready access to many EE support resources that are readily available in large metro areas, and schools and families must do for themselves many things that urban and suburban schools take for granted (i.e. recycling and compost collection).
In addition to our burgeoning relationships with rural libraries, MEEA can help fill this gap through our regional PD workshops, online credentialing, and our green schools programming.
Environmental Education Activities:
- Provided books and materials to create portable StoryWalks® (outdoor public installation to read a picture book along a trail); Salem Public Library id’d 10 local locations to rotate these StoryWalks® through.
- Provided 3 nature-based backpack kits for families to checkout. Themes: Birds, Bugs, Plants. These kits are available! They have nature exploration materials and books included in each.
- Collaborated with a regional park to install a permanent StoryWalk® feature.
- Provided adult-focused Natural and Cultural history books and other resources (Salem, Ozarks, Gateway to Scenic Riverways).
- Provided a telescope for community members to check out.
**For more information about how MEEA can collaborate with YOUR local/regional Libraries, contact us via email at: director@meea.org
A recent StoryWalk® activity (one of the ‘portable’ stories that can be checked out from the Salem Library) set up at Echo Bluff State Park for visitors to enjoy
Lesson Resources
The following resource ideas are from: action.everylibrary.org/storywalks
StoryWalks: What They Are and How to Create Your Own
Find a local StoryWalk or create your own to get families outside and reading together!
Encourage your community to get outside and stay active while enjoying children’s stories as a family.
If you’re a lover of nature and the written word, you might be interested in learning more about StoryWalks! These are published books displayed along outdoor walking paths to encourage people to enjoy their outdoor surroundings while engaging with literature.
If you’re looking for a fun and educational activity that will entertain your whole family, consider looking into nearby StoryWalks around your neighborhood. Better yet, if you don’t have one in your community, make one yourself! Here’s what you need to know about StoryWalks and how you can get involved with the project.
What Is a StoryWalk?
With its original concept imagined by Anne Ferguson of Vermont, StoryWalks are literacy projects that display children’s books along a community walking route. A children’s book is selected and taken apart page by page before being posted in a public outdoor area.
Originally developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard library, StoryWalk is now a registered service mark under Ferguson’s name. Her goal with StoryWalks was to encourage families to get outside while interacting with literacy.
Where Do You Put a StoryWalk?
Although the concept originated by placing children’s books in nature, StoryWalks have expanded to urban settings. These typically consist of books set up along city sidewalks or areas with a lot of foot traffic, such as downtown areas. StoryWalks can be located anywhere, like ponds, school playgrounds, and main street shopping areas.
If you’d like to initiate your own StoryWalk, you may have to consider other factors like weather and vandalism. Otherwise, you can certainly get creative with your designated StoryWalk location.
How Do You Make a StoryWalk?
If you’re interested in creating your own StoryWalk, the process is relatively easy. The primary details to keep in mind are copyright laws since you’ll be working with published books. Copyright laws will allow you to use a purchased book for the project. However, you won’t be able to alter or enlarge the text in any way.
Once you’ve accumulated the story’s pages, secure them with something stiff like cardstock. Finally, laminate the pages to prevent weather damage.
Which Books Should You Use?
There are a few details to consider when selecting your StoryWalk book. For example, a plot-driven story will motivate people to continue reading while also moving along its designated path.
You should also try to select more illustration-heavy children’s literature without as many words. This makes your StoryWalk more accessible in case it’s difficult to read. It’s also important to keep your specific community in mind when it comes to the story’s language and messages.
Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries.
Be Creative with your StoryWalks®!
Submitted by Jamin-with a sprinkle of music, too!
Annual Conference & Professional Development
MEEA’s 30th Annual Conference 2025
This Year’s Theme:
Bringin’ It Home: Place-Based Environmental Education
Call for Presentations OPEN!
Submit your proposal HERE
What we know so far:
- Mark Your Calendars!…Friday-Saturday October 24-25, 2025
- Our Keynote Speaker is confirmed! We are so excited and grateful to announce and welcome:
- Ragan Webb, K-5 Science Coordinator with the Boone County Nature School, Columbia Public School District
- Our conference will be in Central MO
-
-
- Friday Activities in the Columbia area
- Afternoon Field Trips:
- Boone County Nature School
- Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (CCUA)
- Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary
- Evening Social:
- Bur Oak Brewery
- Afternoon Field Trips:
- Saturday Conference in Jefferson City at the Runge Conservation Nature Center mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/runge-conservation-nature-center
- Friday Activities in the Columbia area
-
-
- Young Environmental Leaders will once again be super involved!
email us with questions, comments and feedback.
Upcoming PD Opportunity!
Justice, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion in EE
The eeCourses provide educators with the knowledge, tools and skills to more effectively deliver environmental education to students in a variety of settings and across the curriculum. The courses are asynchronous, allowing you the opportunity to complete the coursework at your own pace within the opening and closing dates of the course.
Young Environmental Leaders-Membership for the Future
Who are MEEA Young Environmental Leaders?
Our newest and fastest-growing membership group!
Some of our YEL members making a difference at our Annual Conference
Description (a note from Co-Director Jamin Bray):
A couple of years ago, both Lesli and I started the process of creating a membership focus on Missouri’s youth. We both have GenZ kids, and understand their desire to have a voice about the future: their Planet, their health, their freedom, and their ability to thrive. That’s how the Young Environmental Leaders (AKA “YELers”) membership was born. Since then we have recruited bright and energetic youth, ages 16-26, to not only empower them to support our Mission, but also voice their brilliant ideas for how to take action. We expanded the reach statewide with support from the NAAEE and ee360 in the past year, and since MEEA launched the YEL membership, this cohort has grown to more than 40 members.
We are so grateful to the first group of YELers who joined us in person and virtually to create a strategy for a group with a solid purpose. So now it’s your urn! No matter your passion or skills, you all have a say in the future to Care, Understand, and Act for the environment.
So now, we are ready to dive in, expand and move forward with even more experiences! We would love to get you onboard as a member!
How to get involved:
Want to become a “YELer?”
Join as an individual: MEEA Individual Membership options
Join as a Group (for example Science or other school club): MEEA Non-profit Organizational Membership options
Opportunities & Resources for YELers
Our SECOND Quarterly Meeting (July) on Zoom was a great gathering!
Video of the meeting Young Environmental Leaders Webinar: Exploring Native Plants and Horticulture Careers
Opportunities to Care, Understrand & Act for the Environment
Our first Quarterly Meeting (April) on Zoom was also fantastic!
Check out the video of that meeting: Young Environmental Leaders Webinar: Resume, Social Media, and Networking Basics
Each quarterly meeting will feature:
- Guest speaker(s) on a particular topic relevant to Missouri’s Youth, with green career advisement included as much as we are able
- Information on MEEA projects we need your help with and can provide some funding compensation for
- YELers’ iNaturalist Collection — shoutouts and prizes each month!
Resources
- Jobs boards to check out:
- Green 2.0. https://greentwopointzero.org/careers/?mc_cid=369600201d&mc_eid=8b092c2079
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources (currently LOTS of seasonal positions!) https://hiretrue-prod.com/hiretrue/
- Support for job seekers:
- Green 2.0 recently launched a LinkedIn group for job seekers to network and support one another in the environmental sector. This is a space to connect, share job opportunities, and exchange resources. Join the group HERE.
Green Schools Corner
Our Schools Need MENTORS!
2025-2026 Green Schools Quest
Message from Deborah Rogers Curtis, Ed.D. | Green Schools Coordinator,
LEED Green Associate, Missouri Gateway Green Building Council
-
- Consider signing up again to mentor a new school, or return to the school you mentored previously!
-
- Click here to register as a Mentor
-
- This year’s theme is water, and schools will be taking on projects on a wide variety of topics. You don’t have to be a water expert to support them on their sustainability journey!
- This year’s theme is water, and schools will be taking on projects on a wide variety of topics. You don’t have to be a water expert to support them on their sustainability journey!
-
- Recruit a colleague to join the Green Schools Quest as a Mentor
-
- We have two Mentor Info Sessions coming up on Thursday, July 24th at 12:00pm or on Thursday, July 31st at 3:00pm for any newcomers to learn about the program, or for any veterans to get a refresh
-
- I’m also happy to meet one-on-one with anyone interested in the program, or happy to email the info out as well – sharing my contact is easiest (drogers@mobot.org or 314.541.2956)
-
- There is also a recorded Mentor Info Session from last week that can be viewed anytime
