Ozark Soul

Go to Native plants sales page

​

This is a Rare Opportunity for Missouri Educators

Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA), with support from the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) is hosting this hybrid workshop in Salem, Missouri!

 

Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
Salem, MO Public Library
 

Both workshops will be both offered virtually and in-person

• Guidelines for Excellence Program in the morning, 9 am to noon

• Guidelines Trainer's Bureau Workshop in the afternoon, 1 pm to 4 pm

**For lots more information and to register while there’s still space left, go to this link**  More details and registration 

Here's your chance to dive into the brand new Climate Education materials developed by NAAEE, PLUS be able to become eligible for the NAAEE “Guidelines for Excellence Trainers Bureau,” an elite group of certified EE trainers.  Participants will take away a full set of ALL 7 Guidelines for Excellence publications shown in this image:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missouri Prairie Foundation

–January 24: Application Cycle Deadline for 2025 MPF Prairie Garden Grants Program

 

Ozark Society

(see flyer, click here)

The Ozark Society is a non-profit organization established in Arkansas in 1962 to protect the Buffalo

River and its surrounding wilderness area from development, thus allowing it to remain a free-flowing

and scenic river. Today, the Ozark Society continues to advocate for conservation of natural resources,

preservation of scenic places, and environmental education.

​

The Youth Grant Program (K through 12th grade) was initiated in 2020. The purpose of this program is to

support youth engagement and participation in conservation and environmental education projects.

Since inception, the program has awarded a total of $53,000 to 33 projects with 7,500 youth

participants from Kindergarten to 12th grade.

​

Who are beneficiaries of Youth Grants? Grants from $500 - $3,000 are awarded to conservation and

environmental programs in schools or small non-profit organizations from any region in which there is an

active Ozark Society Chapter including central and northwest Arkansas, Springfield Missouri and north

Louisiana

What types of projects are awarded? Proposals should focus on some aspect of conservation or

environmental education, which aligns with principles of the Ozark Society. Examples of more specific

focus for a project are: water quality/stream restoration, preservation of wild spaces or natural

resources, native plant gardens and native tree projects, habitat restoration, sustainability projects,

enhancement of access to nature, and unique/innovative projects that address local environmental

problems.

​

Ozarks Clean Fuels Coalition

 

MO PSC Paint Workgroup 

Updated Resources:
Below are the updated flier, FAQs, and fact sheet for MO Paint Stewardship. Both the flier and fact sheet are great for general audiences, while the FAQs document goes into more detail about paint stewardship.
Please share these resources with anyone who you think might be interested and would benefit from this information! 

BRINGING PAINT STEWARDSHIP TO MISSOURI - SB239

SB 239: PAINT STEWARDSHIP FAQS
PAINT COLLECTIONS ​

 

SW Missouri Local Government Briefings

 

2025 Earth Day Festival, Springfield, MO. Earth Day Festival tickets are now on sale! FLYER

Find more details at https://www.earthdayspringfieldmo.org/

#earthdayfestival #sierrahull #caseyandtheattaboys #ozarksbelladonna #sgfmo

​

​​​​​​Missouri Butterflies, host plants and Caterpillars

Go here to see a great poster of common butterflies and their caterpillars!

 

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

 

Watershed Center of the Ozarks

2024 Annual Report

Join the Team:  two seasoal internships with Watershed Natives

James River Basin Partnership.

​2024 Annual Report

​

JRBP Volunteer Opportunities On The Horizon:

March 11th - Pearson Creek Water Quality Monitoring

March 13th - Fassnight Creek Water Quality Monitoring

April 22nd - Earth Day Cleanup

June 7th - River Rescue Cleanup

July 12th - Snapshot Sampling Event

 

Plus: education events, tree planting, and more!

 

Hear about more opportunities as they come available by signing up to be a volunteer:

Volunteer Sign Up

​

​

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: PROJECT MANAGER

 

The James River Basin Partnership is seeking to hire a full-time Project Manager. This position is responsible for grant and contract deliverables, annual events, and general support for other activities of the organization. The application deadline is Monday, March 10, 2025.

Learn More

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for tracking deliverables outlined in grants and contracts, including federal 319 grants, small grants, community contracts, and more.

• Create quarterly and annual reports as outlined in grant and contract obligations.

• Oversee rebate programs, including advertising, managing communications, processing applications, and reporting.

• Manage the soil testing program, performing soil tests and creating nutrient management plans.

• Plan and coordinate water quality monitoring events, keeping equipment clean and organized and staying up to date on trainings and certifications.

• Contribute to developing educational materials and executing outreach alongside JRBP’s Education Outreach Coordinator.

• Coordinate annual cleanup events including River Rescue, Earth Day Cleanup, Adopt-A-Stream, and United Way Day of Caring.

• Serve as volunteer coordinator for JRBP projects and events.

• Assist in the planning and implementation of annual fundraisers including Sunset Soiree.

• Occasionally perform media interviews and public presentations.

• Other duties as assigned.

See Full Description, Qualifications, and Compensation

How to Apply:

Application deadline is Monday, March 10, 2025. Qualified candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to BrentonStock@JamesRiverBasin.com or mail to:

 

James River Basin Partnership

Attn: Brent Stock

2754 S. Campbell Ave

Springfield, MO 65807

For questions, please contact:

Brent Stock

(417) 413-0415

BrentonStock@JamesRiverBasin.com. 

 

Children and Nature Network

 

Springfield Community Resource Guide

 

EPA

​

Jim Macy Appointed to EPA Region 7 Administrator
Former NDEE director to lead EPA’s Heartland Region

Contact Information: Jonathan Klusmeyer, klusmeyer.jonathan@epa.gov, 913-313-2991

LENEXA, KAN. (FEB. 6, 2025) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that President Trump has appointed Jim Macy to become EPA Region 7 administrator. Macy will lead the implementation of the president’s environmental agenda in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations.

“With decades of experience working to protect our energy and environment, Jim Macy is the right person at the right moment to lead Region 7,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “I am proud to have him on team EPA and know that he will help exceptionally implement President Trump’s agenda across the region.”

“It is an honor to be appointed by President Trump to implement a common-sense approach to protecting clean air, water, and land, while promoting economic development,” Macy said. “Under Administrator Zeldin’s leadership, I will work with Region 7 staff, our state and tribal partners, and community stakeholders to expand environmental stewardship and conservation efforts across our region.”

“I am so pleased to welcome Jim to the Region 7 team,” said Deputy EPA Region 7 Administrator Edward H. Chu. “He brings nearly 40 years of environmental protection experience to this role and is nationally recognized for his environmental leadership and commitment to strengthening EPA’s relationship with the states.”

Prior to joining EPA, Macy was appointed by then-Governor Pete Ricketts to lead the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality in 2015. In 2018, Macy also served as the interim director of the Nebraska Department of Energy, guiding the merger of these two agencies to become the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) in 2019.

Prior to joining NDEE, Macy spent nearly 30 years at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR). At MoDNR, he served in various roles, including regional director of the Kansas City Regional Office and director of the Financial Assistance Center. From 2019 to 2020, Macy also served as the president of the Environmental Council of the States.

Macy and his wife have two children and one grandchild. He enjoys the outdoors and is an avid fly fisher.

What They Are Saying

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (NE): “Jim Macy is a great choice to lead the EPA’s Midwest Region. As director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy when I was governor, he cleaned our environment, streamlined permit times, and promoted economic development. He will help President Trump and Administrator Zeldin restore a more balanced EPA.”

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (NE): “I am excited that Jim Macy will take on this appointment. Through his years of service at the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, he has a great track record of implementing common-sense policy. I look forward to working with him in this role.”

U.S. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06): “I’m excited to see Jim taking over the reins at EPA Region 7. He’s got decades of experience working with farmers, ranchers, and landowners in both Missouri and Nebraska. Jim is a proven leader who knows the EPA works best when it works with farmers and ranchers, instead of attacking them. I can’t think of a better choice to help President Trump and Administrator Zeldin roll back burdensome regulations, like the last administration’s WOTUS overreach, and implement a common-sense approach to protecting clean air, water, and land.”

U.S. Representative Mike Flood (NE-01): “President Trump has made a great selection in Jim Macy. Jim brings broad experience as a regulator who listens to stakeholder input, while being a good steward of our natural resources and keeping our communities safe. His time working in Nebraska and across the Midwest means he understands the issues that matter most to our ag and manufacturing sectors. Congratulations to Jim – I look forward to working with him in this new role.”

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon: “We’ve had the pleasure of working with Jim for several years in Missouri and Nebraska. He deeply understands the environmental issues facing this region, and we look forward to working with him at EPA.”

Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Kurt Schaefer: “We in Missouri look forward to partnering with Jim in bringing greater focus to compliance assistance as we manage the natural resources of our state. Jim spent several years at MoDNR, so he is familiar with many of the issues we face and will be ready to hit the ground running. Jim’s focus on customer service will serve him well as he takes the helm at EPA Region 7.”

​

Dish to Dirt Program

Read to find out how to subscribe and see what events are coming up.  Learn about composting, free workshops and more! Click HERE.

The Ozarks Clean Air Alliance (OCAA)  Go HERE to find out more. and the Clean Air Action Plan

 

White River Sierra Club

​

The Schoolcraft Ozarks Society

Dark Sky Missouri (Click here for more information)

​

Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA)

​

Missouri Recycles (MORA)  

​

Check out what can be recycled at Staples. https://www.staples.com/stores/recycling

 

Ozark Riverways Foundation
Ozarks Greenways

Missouri Department of Conservation

​