Missouri Environmental Education News: Fall 2026
Welcome to the lastest edition of MEEA's Newsletter
Table of Contents
- Featured Article
- Upcoming Events
- What’s Happening in MEEA?
- News from The Field
- Green Schools Spotlight
A Season of Change, Gratitude and New Growth
Friends of MEEA,
There is something about October that makes you stop and pay attention. The air gets a little cooler. The leaves begin to change. Some things fall away, some things take on new color, and the landscape starts preparing for what comes next. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately because MEEA is in a season of change, too. Change can be exciting. It can also be a little uncomfortable. But just like the natural world, change is part of how organizations grow, adapt, and get ready for their next season. And there is a lot to be excited about at MEEA.
First, I want to take a moment to recognize Lesli Moylan and the incredible leadership she has provided to MEEA over the past eight years. I’ve only been in this role for a short time, but it didn’t take long for me to understand just how much Lesli has poured into this organization—and how much she means to the MEEA community. Thankfully, we aren’t letting Lesli go quite yet! She will continue helping MEEA as a part-time consultant, supporting the transition and making sure we don’t lose the institutional knowledge, relationships, and momentum she has built. She will also continue representing MEEA as our representative to the Conservation Federation of Missouri, keeping environmental education at that table and strengthening an important relationship for our organization. Lesli, thank you. Truly.
I also want to thank Mary Beth, who is transitioning out of her role as MEEA’s Administrative Manager. In just six months, Mary Beth has made an incredible difference. She has helped transform our internal processes, systems, and online tools in ways that are already making MEEA more efficient, more organized, and more effective. That work may not always be visible from the outside, but it matters enormously. Mary Beth, thank you for everything you have done to strengthen MEEA from the inside out.
And that brings me to Julie Moyer, who is joining MEEA as our new Administrative Manager. Julie brings a great combination of experience in program coordination, adult learning, education, nonprofit governance, and environmental and conservation work. She has served in program coordination roles in higher education and healthcare, earned a graduate certificate in Adult Learning, and has been actively involved in environmental and community organizations here in the St. Louis region. Julie and Mary Beth will be working together throughout October to make the transition as smooth as possible. I’m excited to welcome Julie to the MEEA family and look forward to seeing the experience, energy, and perspective she brings to the organization. Julie, welcome to MEEA!
And while we are saying thank you to people who have helped shape this organization, I want to say something else: MEEA is in a really good place. Our professional development work continues to expand. We are building our capacity to offer more eeCourses and developing new facilitators so that environmental educators across Missouri have more opportunities to learn and grow. Our Young Environmental Leaders program continues to connect young Missourians with one another and with opportunities to develop leadership skills and explore green careers. Show-Me Green Schools continues to grow and connect schools with the resources and people they need to turn sustainability into action. And our committees are working hard—often behind the scenes—to strengthen membership, fundraising, environmental justice resources, professional development, and our annual conference.
MEEA has a lot of upcoming events, both fun and professional. Be sure to check out the Upcoming Events section below.
That, to me, is what MEEA is all about. People coming together. Learning from one another. Building relationships. Giving back. And creating opportunities for the next generation to care, understand, and act for the environment. So yes, there is change happening at MEEA. But change doesn’t mean we are starting over. We are building on what has already been planted. We have strong roots. We have great people. We have dedicated volunteers, engaged members, committed partners, and programs that are making a difference across Missouri. Now it’s time to see what can grow from all of that.
I’m excited about the months ahead, and I’m incredibly grateful that I get to be part of this next chapter with all of you. So enjoy the leaves. Get outside. Take a walk. Find a little color. And if you see a MEEA member along the way, stop and say hello. We’ve got a lot of good things growing.
With gratitude,
Charles Whitt
Interim Executive Director
Missouri Environmental Education Association
Featured Article
Erin Graves, MEEA Board Secretary, Retired Biology Teacher, Herculanum High School in Dunklin R-V School District, awarded 2020 Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Teacher of the Year Semifinalist
After the balmy days of summer, October brings cooler temperatures, colorful scenery, and plenty of opportunities to take learning outdoors. Fall offers natural connections to science, math, history, art, and language arts, making it easy to incorporate environmental education into lessons for students of nearly any age. Whether students are tracking changing leaves, investigating pumpkins, creating art from natural materials, or writing about the season, the outdoors can become an extension of the classroom.
Science and Math Lessons
Fall color provides an easy starting point for exploring both science and math. In Missouri, leaf color typically peaks around mid-October. Students can follow the changing landscape throughout the month using the Missouri Department of Conservation Fall Color Report, recording observations and turning their data into graphs or charts. Students can also collect fallen leaves to investigate why leaves change color. As green chlorophyll breaks down, previously hidden yellow, orange, and red pigments become visible. A simple leaf pigment chromatography experiment can separate these pigments into bands of color and give students an opportunity to observe and discuss their different chemical properties.
Pumpkins offer another seasonal laboratory. Students can weigh pumpkins, measure their circumference, compare sizes, and chart their results. After opening the pumpkins, younger students can estimate the number of seeds before counting and grouping them by tens, while older students can design investigations around questions such as whether pumpkin seeds sink or float. Take the experiment a step further by planting seeds from each group and comparing germination and growth. When the investigation is finished, the remaining seeds can even be roasted and eaten.
October is also a good time to look for orb-weaver spiders and their distinctive webs. Take students outdoors to search for webs or use an online orb-weaver web resource to examine their structures. Students can compare orb webs with other types of spider webs and develop explanations for why their structures differ. An engineering-focused spider web STEM project can then challenge students to design and build their own web, connecting biological structure and function with engineering.
Fall also provides opportunities to investigate larger seasonal patterns. Using resources from Project Learning Tree, students can observe local bird flocks and investigate migration and seasonal pathways. They can also record daily October temperatures, weather conditions, and daylight hours, then graph their observations to identify patterns associated with the changing season.
Even seasonal cooking can become a math lesson. Give students a fall recipe, such as pumpkin muffins, and ask them to double or halve the ingredients. Students can practice additional measurement skills by converting quantities to metric using a conversion calculator. In a foods or culinary class, students can put their calculations to the test by preparing the recipe.
History and Social Science
Missouri’s fall landscape also provides an opportunity to examine how human history has affected the environment. Numerous Civil War events occurred in Missouri, including events and battles during October such as the secession proceedings in Neosho and the Battle of Island Mound. The environmental consequences of the Civil War extended well beyond the battlefields. Warfare contributed to deforestation, damaged farms, soil erosion, livestock losses, habitat destruction, and contamination of soil and waterways. Students can explore these connections through resources examining the environmental impacts of the Civil War, considering how major historical events can alter both human communities and natural systems.
Missouri’s German heritage offers another connection between culture, agriculture, and the environment. German immigrants brought agricultural traditions that often emphasized caring for farmland as a resource that would support future generations. Grapes became an important crop in several German communities, with the fall harvest playing an important role in the agricultural year. Students can investigate German agricultural traditions, Missouri’s grape-growing history, and the ways cultural traditions can influence agricultural and land-management practices.
Art and Sensory Projects
The colors, shapes, and textures of fall provide plenty of materials for creative projects. Fallen leaves, twigs, acorns, seeds, and other natural objects can become collages, sculptures, models, or temporary outdoor artwork. These fall nature art ideas can provide a starting point while still leaving room for students to develop their own creations.
Students can also experiment with ways to preserve leaves, including dipping them in wax or soaking them in glycerin, allowing their collected specimens to become part of longer-lasting classroom displays or art projects. For inspiration, introduce students to the work of Andy Goldsworthy, whose artwork uses leaves, stones, branches, ice, and other natural materials. Students can then create their own temporary outdoor pieces using materials they find on-site.
Reading, Writing and Language Arts
Fall observations can easily become prompts for reading, writing, and reflection. Students can keep nature journals throughout October, choosing a particular tree or outdoor location to revisit regularly. They can record what they see through written observations and sketches, noting changes in leaf color, temperature, wildlife activity, and other signs of the season. For an additional project, students can even make their own nature journals using recycled materials.
Creative writing can also draw directly from students’ experiences outdoors. Ask students to write about a favorite fall memory—jumping into leaves, carving pumpkins, hiking, or watching leaves change color—or use the season as inspiration for a spooky Halloween forest story. Encourage students to build a strong sense of place by describing what their characters can see, hear, smell, and feel. A short walk outdoors before writing can give students real sensory details to bring back into their stories.
2026 Fall Foliage Forecast. Explore Fall’s interactive 2026 Fall Foliage Map provides daily estimates of changing leaf color across the Lower 48, from little or no color through peak and past peak. The map is updated throughout the season based on current weather conditions, making it a useful tool for planning fall hikes, drives, and outdoor adventures. Map Credit: ExploreFall.com
Build Your Own Spider Web. Put engineering skills to the test with this hands-on Spider Web STEM Project! Students can explore how spider webs are designed, investigate structure and function, and then use what they learn to design and build a web of their own. Activity Credit: I’m The Chef Too.
German Agricultural Traditions in Missouri. Explore how German immigrants helped shape Missouri’s agricultural heritage through traditions rooted in resilience, innovation, and long-term stewardship of the land. This resource examines the connection between German heritage and farming, offering a starting point for exploring how culture can influence agricultural practices across generations. Resource Credit: CLAAS FARMPOINT
Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years. Explore 50 years of Andy Goldsworthy’s work and discover how the renowned artist uses leaves, stones, branches, ice, and other natural materials to create art inspired by—and often transformed by—the natural world. Use the video as inspiration for students to look at familiar outdoor materials in a new way and create nature-based art of their own. Video Credit: National Galleries of Scotland
Upcoming Events
2026 Missouri and Kansas Environmental Education Conference
October 26–27 | Kansas City
The 2026 Missouri & Kansas Environmental Education Conference is almost here! Join environmental educators from across Missouri and Kansas for two days of learning, connection, and inspiration around this year’s theme, “From the Soil to the Stars: Systems Connect Us All.”
Check out the Conference Program to view all the amazing sessions, keynote speakers, and more!
Reconnect with colleagues, meet new partners, explore new ideas, and celebrate the environmental education community that connects our two states.
Save the Date: Friday the 13th Trivia Night!
MEEA is gearing up for Friday the 13th Trivia Night Fundraiser on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Kirkwood Community Center! Gather your friends, family, colleagues, or fellow environmental education enthusiasts for an evening of trivia, friendly competition, and fun—all while supporting environmental education across Missouri.
Registration is $240 for a table of eight or $60 for two seats. And since Trivia Night really does fall on Friday the 13th, embrace the theme! Get creative with your table decorations for a chance to take home the prize for Best Friday the 13th Table Decorations.
Register for MEEA’s Friday the 13th Trivia Night Fundraiser →
River de Peres Trash Bash & Watershed Festival
Saturday, October 24
Get outside, give back, and connect with the St. Louis environmental community! Our friends at Open Space STL are bringing the community together for the Watershed Festival, following this year’s River des Peres Trash Bash.
Spend the day making a hands-on difference by helping clean up the River des Peres watershed, then stick around for the festival and celebrate the people and organizations working to protect our local waterways and natural spaces. It’s an opportunity to volunteer, connect with others, and see environmental stewardship and community action at work.
Mound City Film Festival – November 7
Get ready for a full day of film, art, music, food, adventure, and community at the inaugural Mound City Film Festival, Saturday, November 7, at Atomic by Jamo in St. Louis. The festival features regional films from St. Louis and Midwest filmmakers alongside acclaimed Mountainfilm selections, plus live music, environmental art and demonstrations, filmmaker and artist panels, climbing activities, local food and drinks, and more. The festival is free and open to the public, and you can now reserve your seat for one of four film sessions. Learn more and reserve your seat at www.moundcityfilm.com.
Wild Arts Learning Announces 2026 Conference and Workshops for Educators in Springfield, MO
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Cina Canada: Founder and Director of Wild Arts Learning, presenting on materials literacy, papermaking, and nature journaling.
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Kyle Bird: Owner and artist at Craftwork Ceramics, leading sessions on integrating “wild” clay into classroom curriculums.
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Myke Gemkow: Montessori educator, discussing the optimization of spaces for natural learning.
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Justine Lines: Environmental Educator, exploring brain and nature-based hands-on learning.
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Jen Welton: Heritage craft advocate, teaching botanical printing and natural dyes.
What’s Happening in MEEA?
Professional Development Committee Update
The PD Committee has been busy expanding professional development opportunities for educators across Missouri! This August, a group of educators from across the state completed Nature and Human Wellness, exploring connections between nature, learning, and well-being while adding new ideas and resources to their educator toolkits.
Our next opportunity, Teaching and Learning Outdoors, begins September 28. This 10-week eeCourse is designed for both formal and nonformal educators and provides an introduction to environmental education along with practical experience integrating teaching and learning outdoors across subject areas. The course is applicable to educators working in traditional classrooms, homeschool settings, and other educational programs. Throughout the course, participants will build their understanding of environmental education and learn strategies for incorporating outdoor learning into their own educational settings. Participants should plan to complete readings, videos, activities, Course Journal responses, and assignments associated with each module. Registration for Teaching and Learning Outdoors is open NOW! Educators interested in participating can learn more and register through the Teaching and Learning Outdoors course page. Additional professional development opportunities are available through the MEEA Environmental Education Courses website. We’re also expanding our capacity to offer more courses by training several new moderators. Growing our team of trained facilitators will allow MEEA to provide more professional development opportunities for both formal and non-formal educators throughout Missouri.
There’s more good news for our work with rural educators: Phase 3 of MEEA’s Vital Farms grant has been funded! This continued funding will allow us to build on previous phases of the project by connecting with rural teachers and providing professional development opportunities in communities across Missouri.
With a new course beginning, additional moderators being trained, and continued support for rural educator outreach, the PD Committee is looking forward to a busy fall and more opportunities to support educators and strengthen environmental education across the state.
Membership and Fund Development Committee Update
The Membership/Fundraising Committee has been busy this fall, with several projects underway to strengthen our membership, support MEEA’s continued growth, and bring our community together. Our 2026 Member Insight Survey: “The Community Impact” has officially been sent to all 176 active MEEA members! As one of our members, your perspective is important in helping us understand how MEEA can best support you—whether you’re teaching in a classroom, leading a nature center, facilitating community programs, or supporting environmental education in another capacity. Survey responses will give us a baseline for tracking our growth while helping us better understand the needs and experiences of our members. We’ll use what we learn to reflect on where we are as an organization and identify ways to strengthen the resources, services, and opportunities we provide. Members, be sure to check your inbox—and your junk or spam folder! The survey was distributed through MEEA’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, so it may not have landed in your primary inbox. There’s also an incentive to participate! Complete the survey by October 31, 2026, and you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift card or free registration for our next workshop. If you are a member, click here to take the 2026 Member Insight Survey: “The Community Impact”
Young Environmental Leaders (YEL) Update
The Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA) is proud to support its Young Environmental Leaders (YEL) group, which provides young Missourians ages 16–26 with opportunities to care, understand, and take action for the environment.
Through quarterly webinars, online resources, leadership and skill-building opportunities, and more, YEL aims to connect young people with a community of like-minded peers while providing opportunities to:
- Build knowledge and awareness of environmental issues
- Develop leadership and professional skills
- Explore and pursue green career pathways
- Make a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond
- Have fun and build lasting connections with fellow young environmental leaders!
This year, MEEA Board Members Erin Graves and Erin Reinhart, with support from Jamin Bray, will be working alongside YEL members to strengthen and improve the program. Together, we hope to create an even more engaging, supportive, and meaningful experience for young environmental leaders across Missouri. If you are interested in joining our YEL program please complete this form. JOIN HERE.
Save the Date: Friday the 13th Trivia Night!
The committee is also preparing for MEEA’s Friday the 13th Trivia Night Fundraiser, happening Friday, November 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Kirkwood Community Center. This event is open to everyone, so gather your friends, family, colleagues, or fellow environmental educators for an evening of trivia, friendly competition, and support for environmental education across Missouri. Registration is $240 for a table of eight or $60 for two seats. And because Trivia Night really does fall on Friday the 13th, teams are encouraged to get creative with the theme. Decorate your table for a chance to win the prize for Best Friday the 13th Table Decorations! Register for MEEA’s Friday the 13th Trivia Night Fundraiser!
In addition to the Member Survey and Trivia Night, the committee has been working behind the scenes to update MEEA’s Gift Acceptance Policy and rubric and pursue grant opportunities that can support our goals, strengthen and grow the organization, and expand the services and resources available to our members. There’s plenty happening this fall, and we’re looking forward to hearing from our members through the survey, gathering together for Trivia Night, and continuing to build a strong and engaged MEEA community.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (JEDIA) Committee
The current focus of the JEDIA committee is improving MEEA’s existing Environmental Justice Issues resource page. The page highlights environmental justice concerns across Missouri, including air pollution, lead contamination, brownfields, water quality, concentrated animal feeding operations, access to parks and green space, and other issues that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. It also includes teaching resources and materials to help educators explore environmental justice in classrooms and community settings.
The committee is reviewing the page to identify opportunities to improve its relevance, expand its geographic representation, update existing information, add current research, and include resources that reflect community-led work and diverse perspectives. We are especially interested in resources that are Missouri-specific, place-based, culturally responsive, accessible to educators, and appropriate for different age groups and ability levels. We also welcome recommendations for lesson plans, reports, videos, organizations, articles, local case studies, classroom activities, and other materials that could help educators teach about environmental justice. If you know of an issue or resource that should be included or have feedback on the existing resources, please share it with the committee chair (pbperkins16@gmail.com) or contact MEEA at director@meea.org.
We are welcoming a new member, Emily Antrobus, to the JEDIA Committee! Emily is a north St. Louis educator who will be helping update the JEDIA resources page. We also want to thank Susan Flowers for her service and contributions to the committee. Susan’s work on the MEEA values statement and her expertise in improving the resources accessible to educators was invaluable, and we wish her and her family the best. We appreciate and will miss her perspective, energy, and commitment she brought.
Conference Committee Update
The Conference Committee plans and delivers MEEA’s annual professional conference each year, bringing together formal and informal educators, natural resource professionals, nonprofit leaders, students, and community partners to strengthen environmental education across Missouri. Through engaging keynote speakers, field experiences, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities, the committee creates a collaborative space where participants can exchange ideas, discover innovative teaching strategies, build partnerships, and advance environmental literacy throughout the region.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Missouri & Kansas Environmental Education Conference, From the Soil to the Stars: Systems Connect Us All, co-hosted by the Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA) and the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE). This annual conference is the premier gathering for environmental educators in Missouri, and this year’s partnership with our Kansas colleagues promises an outstanding opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate. Conference details continue to be added as planning progresses, so be sure to check the website regularly for updates. We look forward to welcoming you to Kansas City this fall!
Important Details:
- Conference: Missouri & Kansas Environmental Education Conference
- Theme: From the Soil to the Stars: Systems Connect Us All
- Dates: October 26–27, 2026
- Registration Deadline: October 16
- Location: Kauffman Conference Center, Kansas City, Missouri
- Day 1: Field trips, Night Walk, Opening Keynote, and Networking Social
- Day 2: Concurrent educational sessions and Lunchtime Keynote
- Registration & Proposal Submission: https://meea.org/professional-development/annual-conference/
I Want to Join a MEEA Committee!
MEEA members are the driving force behind the organization’s impact across Missouri — and there are many ways to get involved beyond membership alone. If you are interested in supporting environmental education, connecting with fellow educators and advocates, or helping shape future programs and initiatives, consider joining a MEEA committee. Opportunities are available in areas including Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (JEDIA), Missouri Green Schools, Membership & Fund Development, EE Credentials, Annual Conference planning, and flexible short-term projects. Whether you have a few hours to give or are looking for ongoing involvement, your voice and expertise are welcome. Current MEEA members can sign up through the MEEA Member Volunteer Interest Form.
News from the Field: Ideas, Innovation, & Impact
From the National Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE)
From youth-led solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges to new research exploring how children develop relationships with the natural world, there is plenty happening across the broader environmental education community. This fall, we’re highlighting two opportunities from the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and its partners that demonstrate the many ways education, research, and innovation intersect in our field..
Young Innovators Take on Marine Conservation
The 2026 Youth Innovation Challenge, a program of the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP) in partnership with the Taiwan Ocean Conservation Administration, challenged young people ages 15–30 from around the world to develop innovative, research-informed solutions to marine issues using environmental education. This year, 15 winners and finalists were recognized for ideas addressing marine debris, water quality, conservation, ocean literacy, and other challenges.
Among the three winning projects is AquaNode, developed by a team from Kazakhstan. Students assemble a low-cost DIY buoy using materials such as recycled plastic bottles and sensors that measure water temperature and turbidity. Their observations can then be transmitted to a shared global data map. The project combines hands-on STEM learning with real-world water-quality monitoring, giving students an opportunity to contribute meaningful information about the health of their local waters.
Another winner, Team Ocean Heroes ITB from Indonesia, developed the Ocean Heroes Learning Kit for students in grades 4–6. Designed to build marine-debris literacy, the kit combines a choose-your-own-adventure story, cooperative board game, worksheets, and teacher guide. Students explore how marine debris affects ecosystems, human health, livelihoods, and coastal communities before considering actions they can take—from reducing single-use plastics to identifying local waste sources and creating classroom environmental action plans.
The third winning project, The Floating Guardians, comes from Bashir Abdullahi Sani of Nigeria. The project takes a community-centered approach to marine litter in the Lagos Lagoon, combining low-cost bamboo barriers designed to intercept floating debris with ocean-literacy efforts that engage youth, traditional leaders, and waterfront communities in long-term stewardship.
These are only a few of the ideas represented in this year’s Challenge. The full list of winners and finalists offers plenty of inspiration for educators interested in youth leadership, environmental problem-solving, STEM, citizen science, and ocean literacy.
Meet the 2026 Youth Innovation Challenge Winners & Finalists
Research Opportunity: How do Children Connect with Nature?
For our researchers, university faculty, graduate students, and others interested in the research behind environmental education, NAAEE’s eePRO recently shared a Call for Submissions for a special issue of Ecopsychology titled “Children and Nature: Experiences, Connectedness, and the Foundations of Care for the Natural World.”
The special issue asks an important question for our field: How do children develop meaningful relationships with nature, and how do those experiences ultimately influence their identities, values, well-being, environmental behaviors, and willingness to care for the natural world? Researchers are invited to explore topics ranging from awe, wonder, and curiosity to environmental action, mental health, climate anxiety, equitable access to nature, Indigenous and cross-cultural perspectives, family and community influences, and the developmental pathways of nature connectedness.
Submissions may include original research, reviews and meta-analyses, theoretical or conceptual papers, methodological work, and practice-based contributions. Titles, authors, and 300-word abstracts are due November 8, 2026, with selected authors invited to submit full manuscripts by April 1, 2027.
While the call is particularly relevant to researchers and those working in higher education, the topics themselves have much broader relevance. For classroom teachers, nonformal educators, nature-center staff, and other EE professionals, the research questions offer an opportunity to consider why the experiences we create for children matter—and what helps transform an experience outdoors into a lasting relationship with the natural world.
From the Conservation Federation of Missouri
MEEA is an Affiliate of CFM, and CFM is the Missouri Affiliate for National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Below is a federal policy update from NWF. For more information, contact MEEA’s CFM liaison, Lesli Moylan at moylan@meea.org.
Federal Policy Updates
- Roadless Rule – In August, the USDA moved to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule has protected millions of acres of National Forests for over two decades by prohibiting the construction of roads. Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri would be impacted. Comments extended to October 6th. Go to https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/20/2026-16965/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation to register a public comment.
- Endangered Species Act (ESA) Harm Rule – The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has finalized a rule that rescinds the current definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act. Previously, legal precedent from the 90’s allowed the FWS to consider harm to a listed species’ habitat a violation of the ESA. This new move by FWS would no longer consider habitat destruction as a violation of the ESA. Currently, NWF and several affiliates have a lawsuit against the FWS over this action. Additionally, NWF is supportive of an effort led by Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) to use the congressional review act to reverse this decision. It’s possible that this CRA is considered by the Senate before the end of the year because a group of 30 Senators could petition to discharge it from committee then any one Senator could motion to consider the CRA on the Senate floor. All that is to say – there’s possible action in Congress sometime this fall, but it’s not clear when or if it will happen.
- Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) – Senator Heinrich and Senator Tillis’s office made moves earlier in the summer to have RAWA attached to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senate Democrats blocked a procedural vote to move forward with the consideration of the bill over concerns with the Iran War. There hasn’t been any forward motion on the NDAA in the meantime, and recent reporting has indicated that Majority Leader Thune doesn’t intend to bring the NDAA to the floor unless there’s a pathway forward. There is some outreach being done to position RAWA for inclusion in an end of year package, but nothing is certain at the moment and no call to action.
- Farm Bill – In July, the Senate held a committee markup to consider their version of the Farm Bill. While Senator McConnell was out recovering from injury, the Senate Ag committee Republicans were down one vote from having the majority needed to move the bill out of committee. In September, the committee reconvened to vote again on the bill, now that Senator McConnell has returned and the bill advanced out of committee. Overall, sentiment that a Farm Bill will pass this Congress is souring, and some don’t see this as high enough of a priority for Members of Congress to pass before the end of the year. NWF is looking for affiliates to do op-eds in support of passing a Farm Bill and why it is important to get it done.
- Grasslands – The North American Grasslands Conservation Act is planning to be reintroduced, pending the support of a Senate Republican. Lead sponsors in the House are Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Nancy Mace (R-SC).
Green Schools Spotlight
Missouri Green Schools is a free program for PreK-12th grade schools across Missouri and Southern Illinois to support schools on their sustainability journey. MGS provides free professional development for staff on how to take on specific sustainability initiatives to lower a school’s environmental impact and provide a healthier space for both people and planet. Registration is always open – enroll today!
Green Schools Conference 2027: Missouri Educators in the Spotlight
Registration is open for the 2027 Green Schools Conference (GSC), happening February 8–10, 2027, in Austin, Texas! Presented by the Center for Green Schools in partnership with the Green Schools National Network, the conference brings together educators, school leaders, sustainability professionals, designers, and advocates from across the country who are working to make healthier, more equitable, and sustainable schools a reality.
The 2027 conference will feature two days of sessions, expert-led workshops, and networking opportunities, followed by optional post-conference tours highlighting sustainability in action throughout the Austin area. If green schools, sustainability, or environmental education are part of your work, now is the time to make plans to attend—and Missouri will be well represented in this year’s program!
One featured session, “Puppets to Programs: Engagement to Action for K-12 Schools & Partners,” includes Missouri educators and partners from St. Louis County DPH, Ladue School District, and Pershing’s STEAM classroom. Beginning with an interactive puppet show about recycling, the session explores how student engagement can grow into lasting change. Participants will examine place-based learning, identify achievable “quick win” projects, and consider how small initiatives can develop into larger school sustainability efforts.
Missouri is also represented in “Case-Making for Your Projects: Securing Buy-In for Sustainability.” This workshop tackles a challenge familiar to many green-school champions: turning sustainability goals into projects that receive institutional support and funding. Presenters, including a representative from Neosho School District, will share strategies for building support, addressing common barriers, and developing proposals that can help move sustainability initiatives from ideas to action.
With Missouri voices contributing to the national conversation, this year’s conference is a great opportunity to support colleagues from our state while connecting with green-school leaders from across the country. Attendees can bring home new ideas, strategies, resources, and connections to strengthen sustainability efforts in their own schools and communities.