~ The Dragonflyer ~ Volume 15, Number 2 Boone s Lick Chapter February OUR NEXT CHAPTER MEETING Thursday February 6:30PM Extension Center

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~ The Dragonflyer ~ Volume 15, Number 2 Boone s Lick Chapter February 2019 OUR NEXT CHAPTER MEETING Thursday February 14th @ 6:30PM Extension Center Gardening 101: Things to Consider When Planting

Todd works as a Field Specialist in Agronomy at the MU Extension in Cooper County.

1 ~ The Dragonflyer ~ Volume 15, Number 2 Boone s Lick Chapter February 2019 OUR NEXT CHAPTER MEETING Thursday February 6:30PM Extension Center Gardening 101: Things to Consider When Planting Your Garden Presented by Todd Lorenz From seed to harvest, this program will provide additional insight into the process of starting your own garden. Todd works as a Field Specialist in Agronomy at the MU Extension in Cooper County. This program will be covering the basics, but even those of you that are seasoned garden-makers are sure to pick up a helpful tip or two! You have may already been to some of Todd s other outstanding presentations, including how to garden safely as you age, how to prune trees, and how to test your soil and read the results, and how to take good care of your lawn. Todd will also be presenting at the MU Extension s Mid-MO Expo on Saturday April 27th from 9am to 3pm at Battle High School in Columbia our chapter is a Gold Sponsor of the Expo this year! At this time this program is NOT approved to count as Advanced Training due to its primary focus on agriculture, but if there is enough content in the program to deem it AT-worthy, we will ask the Advanced Training to review it! Lanyards Available for Purchase at Meeting only $2! All meeting attendees are eligible for the FREE MONTHLY RAFFLE! The MU Extension Office is located at 1012 North Highway UU (I-70 Exit 121). 1

This month, lots of critters start mating, from minks to screech-owls, skunks to Bluebirds. I try to remember to get Bluebird houses cleaned out by Valentine s Day.

2 Sweets: Stacy Barr Savories: Janeen Osborne PRESIDENTIAL PONDERINGS Hello, Boone s Lick Chapter nature lovers. It s February and our meeting falls on Valentine s Day, so thanks for sharing your time, passion and enthusiasm to serve and protect nature. You rock! This month, lots of critters start mating, from minks to screech-owls, skunks to Bluebirds. I try to remember to get Bluebird houses cleaned out by Valentine s Day. Bluebirds are secondary-cavity dwellers who depend on primary cavity creators like Woodpeckers for their homes. Carolyn Flynn (Class of 2013) In Missouri, we have seven Woodpeckers (throughout the year) who excavate several new holes in mostly dead wood every year but rarely nest in the same one in consecutive years. Woodpeckers physiology makes them impressive sculptors. Their strong neck muscles, thick-walled skulls and beveled, chisel-like bills are supported by grasping feet with sharp, curved nails - two pointing forward, two backward, to form a triangular base to prop upright, with stiff tail feathers to steady them. The little Downy woodpecker at our feeders makes a one inch hole, but the larger woodpeckers create larger, differently-shaped holes. Woodpeckers tend to shun artificial, ready-made nest boxes because they re biologically conditioned to dig their own holes and the physical motions stimulate reproduction! Amazing, huh? Secondary cavity nesters (who can t create cavities) like our Bluebirds, Swallows, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Wrens, Wood Ducks, Flying Squirrels and Owls benefit from these master builders. We can help many species survive by leaving and protecting dead/dying tree snags and hollow logs. Dead wildlife tree cavities support 39 bird species and 23 mammal species, provide winter refuge and food, and create natural habitat. Thanks to our woodpeckers! Photo Credits: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, MDC Carolyn Flynn Boone s Lick Chapter President Missouri Master Naturalists mobeebalm@icloud.net 2

3 MEMBER S CORNER PRESIDENT: Carolyn Flynn (Class of 2013) for 1st Term VICE PRESIDENT: Jill Edwards (Class of 2013) for 1st Term SECRETARY: Lori Johnson (Class of 2017) for 2nd Term TREASURER: Stephanie Michels (Class of 2016) for 1st Term 3

The Columbia City Council voted to approve revisions to the original weed ordinance.

can have in their yard. Learn more here! Everyone s always saying that we need to offer more chapter field trips.

We will be going to visit the Missouri River Bird Observatory in Arrow Rock, around 45 minutes from Columbia.

We will be leaving Columbia by 5pm the mist-nests open at 6pm and will be checked several times until 10pm.

4 The Columbia City Council voted to approve revisions to the original weed ordinance. Residents will still be required to mow turf grass to 12 inches or less, but there is no limit to the number of native plants a person can have in their yard. Learn more here! Everyone s always saying that we need to offer more chapter field trips. So let s do it and stay up WAY past our bedtimes too! We will be going to visit the Missouri River Bird Observatory in Arrow Rock, around 45 minutes from Columbia. Dana Ripper, Director of the MRBO, will teach us about saw-whet owls, and then we will hope to get to see some owl-banding. We will be leaving Columbia by 5pm the mist-nests open at 6pm and will be checked several times until 10pm. We will be inside and outside, so we will dress warm. Learn more about saw-whets here. This will totally be approved as Advanced Training once Jill turns in the form. Nice! Photo Credit: Cameron Rutt RE-POST: CHAPTER FIELD TRIP TO ARROW ROCK FOR SAW-WHET OWL Missouri River Bird Observatory WEDNESDAY NOV 6, 2019 (11/7 RAIN DATE) 5PM TO LATE (PERHAPS 11PM) 4

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IMAGE COMING SOON! SERVICE PIN FOR 2019: The Blanding s Turtle Become a Missouri River Relief Crew Member for River Education Events!

5 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IMAGE COMING SOON! SERVICE PIN FOR 2019: The Blanding s Turtle Become a Missouri River Relief Crew Member for River Education Events! Missouri River Relief is a grassroots, volunteer and equipment-based organization dedicated to directly connecting people to the Missouri River through river cleanups, recreation and education programs. MRR has hosted over 150 education programs, deepening 23,318 students and teachers understanding of the nation s longest river system. MRR believes thoughtful place-based and experiential education can build an engaged community of citizens young and old dedicated to promoting a healthy river. In 2018, MRR introduced 2,000 students and 200 teachers to the Missouri River. We ve expanded our partnership with the Columbia Public Schools to include all fourth graders in an on-the-river experience called Missouri River Days. Master Naturalists who enjoy sharing their knowledge with young people will be great allies for these programs. What will crew members do? Depending on the event, this activity may include assisting students and/or the general public with safety and preparation for boat rides, and other support activities during education events. Volunteers that have experience working on boats/the river may also be asked to assist deckhands and/or assist the boat captains with teaching. What will crew members learn? You will have a deeper understanding of the problems caused by solid waste on our streams and rivers. You will gain experience working with the next generation to share river and nature knowledge. Interested? All you need to do is request to be added to MRR s list you can do that on the website, or contact Kristen Schulte (MRR Education Director) at or kristen@riverrelief.org Project Service Code: (to be used for timesheets) MRREI 5

Share Your Knowledge at the Missouri River Bird Observatory s ARROW ROCK BIRDS AND BEES FESTIVAL Saturday May 11th 10am to 4pm The Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO) is launching a new festival

6 Share Your Knowledge at the Missouri River Bird Observatory s ARROW ROCK BIRDS AND BEES FESTIVAL Saturday May 11th 10am to 4pm The Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO) is launching a new festival aimed at increasing public awareness and enjoyment of Missouri s native birds, pollinators, and nature in general! In 2019 the Birds and Bees Festival will be held in conjunction with the Village of Arrow Rock s Garden Show and Vintage Bazaar, which typically brings in people interested in plants, gardening and aesthetics. Our goal is to provide a great new experience for Garden Show attendees, as well as bring in hundreds of other people of all ages to experience and learn about nature! We want to show that wildlife, habitat, and natural resources conservation is not only important but enjoyable. MRBO s small staff will be operating a bird-banding station, bird hikes, and a kids activity as well as performing general festival coordination. The festival will take place all along Main Street in Arrow Rock and throughout the Arrow Rock State Historic Site and Visitors Center. The Garden Show is held at the Schoolhouse, a public building on the west end of Main Street - the entire remainder of the street will be Birds & Bees! What will you do? We are looking for volunteers to operate their own booths and activities to provide visitors with a diverse, educational and fun experience. Here is a list of possible activities and topics that we would love to have at the festival - but we welcome all new ideas and the activities or presentations with which you already have experience! Any bird and/or pollinator activities, particularly hands-on learning experiences Educational stations for kids on bird or insect biology, adaptations, ecology, etc. Guided nature walks Native plant ID workshops or lectures Basic ecology and conservation experiences for any age level What will you learn? Volunteers will contribute to reaching a new audience with conservation and nature information. Participants will gain new or continuing experience with public outreach. 6

How Will You Help the Community/Environment? There is the potential that several hundred festival attendees will be exposed to new information on Missouri s native flora and fauna.

7 How Will You Help the Community/Environment? There is the potential that several hundred festival attendees will be exposed to new information on Missouri s native flora and fauna. The goal is to raise awareness of, and appreciation for, our shared natural resources in an enjoyable setting. Interested? Please contact Dana Ripper at or dana.ripper@mrbo.org Opportunity Code (to be used for timesheets): REGEI More Volunteer Opportunities see the Chapter Calendar for details! Every Wednesday from 7:30am to 4:30pm: Birding Trip with Bill Clark (Columbia Audubon Society, in State Park or Conservation Area, fledgling birders welcome the best way to learn about birds is by birding with an expert! Meet at SW Corner of Parkade Center parking lot, call Bill at to RSVP. (Timesheet Code CAS) ADVANCED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES For updated information on advanced training opportunities, please see the online Chapter calendar. To submit an opportunity for advanced training consideration, use the form on the chapter website and it to MMNATrain@gmail.com. SCIENCE CAFÉ COLUMBIA 2nd Monday of Every Month at 6pm Broadway Brewery in Downtown Columbia A "Science Cafe" cafe is an informal gathering of people interested in listening to or participating in a discussion on a popular science topic. Science Cafe's are grassroots, community-run organizations that seek to inspire minds and share scientific knowledge within the community. This fall the focus will be speakers that will explain how their work relates to the elements of Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. All are welcome! MONDAY MARCH 11TH, APRIL 8TH, AND MAY 13TH Like on Facebook: Science Café Columbia Advanced training does not require a timesheet code only volunteer hours require you to enter a timesheet code. 7

Advanced training does not require a timesheet code only volunteer hours require you to enter a timesheet code. NOTEWORTHY See an interesting video or article online?

8 Advanced training does not require a timesheet code only volunteer hours require you to enter a timesheet code. NOTEWORTHY See an interesting video or article online? Please share your link via to mmndragonflyer@gmail.com Having a Bad Day? Not After Watching This Puppy Get Mad When the Ocean Destroys His Sandcastle Polar Vortex Could Knock Back Invasive Tree-Killers for a While 8

9 She Shared her Deer-Poaching Story on a Dating App. Turns out, the Guy was a Game Warden. Columbia Will Use a Grant to Help Restore Monarch Butterfly Habitats Butterflies, Bulldozers, and Barbed Wire Rally Border Wall Opponents Golden Eagle Rescued, Recovering in Southeast Missouri Video of Trains Plowing Through Big Snows A Duke Professor is Using Star Trek to Teach about Science Life in a Cubic Foot of My Lawn Tiger Kills Potential Mate on First Date Nearly Frozen Waves Captured on Camera by Nantucket Photographer First Bison Calves Born in Canada s Banff National Park in Over 140 Years This Vermont Farm Harvests and Sells Spider Webs Keep Having a Good Day: Family Mourning Loved One s Death Gets Mysterious Visit from a Friendly Bird OUR NEXT CHAPTER MEETING Thursday March 6:30pm MU Extension Missouri Master Naturalists Boone s Lick Chapter 2019 Officers Please Join Us on Facebook: Missouri Master Naturalist, Boone's Lick Chapter President Carolyn Flynn (Class of Advanced Training 2013) MMNATrain@gmail.com MMNblpresident@gmail.com Vice Jill Edwards (Class of 2013) Communications Jill Edwards (Class of 2013) President MMNVicePres@gmail.com MMNDragonflyer@gmail.com 9

10 Secretary Lori Johnson (Class of 2017) Hospitality Sally Swanson (Class of 2005) Treasurer Stephanie Michels (Class of Public Relations Jill Edwards (Class of 2013) 2016) Chapter Becky Bohlmeyer (Class of Training Suzanne Wright (Class of 2005) Historian 2010) Phil Knocke (Class of 2006) Volunteer Opportunities & Project Approval Chapter Co-Advisors Kent Shannon Bob Pierce University Extension University Extension To promote awareness and citizen stewardship of natural resources through science-based education and community service. 10

~ The Dragonflyer ~ Volume 14, Number 10 Boone s Lick Chapter October OUR NEXT CHAPTER MEETING Thursday October 6:30PM Extension Center

~ The Dragonflyer ~ Volume 14, Number 10 Boone s Lick Chapter October 2018 OUR NEXT CHAPTER MEETING Thursday October 11th @ 6:30PM Extension Center HOW OLD IS A ROCK? Presented by Alan Whittington, University