When we think about ocean conservation, it’s easy to picture coastlines and coral reefs. For educators and students in land-locked states like Missouri, the ocean can feel distant—something studied in books rather than experienced firsthand.

But one idea connects us all: we all live downstream.

Water that falls as rain here in Missouri flows through storm drains, creeks, rivers, and wetlands, finally reaching the Atlantic Ocean by the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Along the way, it carries everything it encounters—fertilizers, plastic waste, sediment, and runoff from what we use in our daily lives. What happens local does not stay local; it becomes part of a much larger story.

Why This Matters for Teaching and Learning

The ocean produces at least half of the oxygen we breathe and helps regulate Earth’s climate–whether or not we live near the coast. When inland waters are polluted, those impacts travel downstream, contributing to ecological problems such as such as coastal dead zones (hypoxia), plastic pollution, coral reef degeneration, bio-accumulation of toxins, and habitat loss.

For educators, this connection offers a powerful teaching opportunity. Watersheds show students that environmental systems are interconnected and that their choices matter. Caring for water close to home is one of the most tangible ways students can understand stewardship, responsibility, and cause-and-effect in the natural world.

What Educators Can Do

This World Ocean Day (June 8) educators can help students see themselves as part of the solution by grounding ocean conservation in local action:

• Teach your watershed. Help students learn which local streams and rivers their community drains into–and where that water eventually goes. Use the Missouri Stream Team Watershed Curriculum to share about watersheds in your classroom.
• Model watershed stewardship. Talk about why keeping trash, chemicals, and pet waste out of storm drains protects both local rivers and ocean ecosystems.
• Use local waterways as learning tools. Streams, wetlands, and rivers provide real-world examples of erosion, runoff, and pollution.
• Reduce plastic use at school and home. Encourage reusable bottles and containers and discuss how plastic travels from land to water.
• Connect local actions to global impact. Show students how protecting Missouri’s water helps protect marine life thousands of miles away.
• Play a Mission with Wonders of Wildlife: We All Live Downstream. Engage with students in Mission Conservation through an interactive, mission-based experience that connects everyday choices in Missouri to water quality, wildlife habitats, and ocean health—empowering students to see themselves as conservation stewards whose actions truly matter.

One Lesson, One Watershed, One Ocean

World Ocean Day reminds us that conservation is not only a coastal issue, it’s a shared responsibility. By teaching students to care for water where they live, Missouri educators are helping protect the ocean and empowering the next generation of conservation stewards.

No matter where we live, we all live downstream—and every lesson flows forward. 

I have been a Young Environmental Leader (YEL) for the past month, working as MEEA’s social media content generator. I construct posts & digital media that sheds light on people & organizations who are active advocates for environmental literacy. My mission is to bring awareness through visual communication, making information as accessible & easy to understand as possible.

Today, unearthing the benefits of environmental education has been a healing experience for my younger self. During my adolescent years, nature played a huge role in my emotional regulation & is still a tool I rely on in my everyday life. This is why I believe YELs are important because they set the stage for trailblazers who want to make a real & lasting difference when it comes to preserving nature.

Having a wider perspective on the world enables individuals to connect with others more effectively, empowering individuals to take meaningful action and contribute positively to society. This expanded understanding creates a more inclusive environment that nurtures collaboration and builds mutual support for personal development and community building.

Celebrating Missouri’s 2026 Green Ribbon School Honorees

Join us in celebrating three outstanding schools recognized as Missouri’s honorees for the national Green Ribbon Schools Award, presented by Show-Me Green Schools. With only 27 schools in Missouri history earning this distinction, this recognition reflects exceptional leadership and commitment to sustainability. This year’s honorees—Boone County Nature School (led by Ragan Webb and Andrew Kinslow), Shirlee Green Preschool (led by Principal Brandi Kanoya), and Ladue Horton Watkins High School (led by Sustainability Coordinator Kelley Krejnik)—have demonstrated excellence across the three pillars of sustainability: reducing environmental impact and costs, improving health and wellness, and advancing environmental and sustainability education. Their work highlights what is possible when schools prioritize whole-school sustainability and student-centered learning. 

“What stands out…is that sustainability is not treated as a side project for a few interested teachers. District leadership, facilities staff, and curriculum leaders are all interested in advancing practical sustainability efforts, but they need support in coordinating and implementing them. We are focused on both operational improvements, such as clean energy investments, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities for students. My evolving role reflects a shared recognition that sustainability education and responsible operational practices are becoming essential parts of preparing students for the future. For many of us, it is also an ethical obligation if we are in the work of caring for children and their Futures.” – Kelley Krejnik’s post-application reflection, Ladue HW HS

Educators and administrators interested in pursuing this recognition can learn more and begin their journey here: https://showmegreenschools.org/ed-grs/#jump-aboutjump-parti

Missouri Parks: Preserving Places that Connect Us

One of the newest members of the Show-Me Green Schools Network, The Missouri Parks Association (MPA) is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit citizens organization dedicated to the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites. Founded in 1982 during a financial crisis for the park system, MPA has remained a steadfast supporter and tireless defender of Missouri’s parks and historic sites. Through education and advocacy, the association’s members and volunteers continue to support the threefold mission of the Missouri state park system. 

A key part of MPA’s work is ensuring Missourians understand the importance of stable and adequate funding for the park system. In 1984, MPA spearheaded the citizen petition effort that led to passage of the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax. Since then, the organization has worked successfully to secure voter reauthorization in 1988, 1996, 2006, and 2016, when the measure passed with 80 percent support and received a majority vote in every Missouri county. The tax will again appear on the ballot in August 2026 as Amendment 1.

Today, this critical funding source provides approximately three-fourths of the budget for Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites while also supporting educational opportunities across the state. Through programs such as the Bus Grant Program, schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations receive assistance with transportation expenses for field trips and outdoor learning experiences at Missouri state parks and historic sites. These grants help connect young Missourians with the state’s rich natural landscapes and fascinating history while expanding access to outdoor education statewide. In addition, many state parks and historic sites offer interpretive programs focused on Missouri’s natural and cultural heritage, both on-site and in community settings such as schools, giving visitors and students opportunities to explore and better understand the stories, landscapes, and resources that make Missouri unique.