River Relief

December 10, 2009

Big Muddy Sessions: "Natural Gems along the Big Muddy"

- Missouri Natural Areas along the River's Valley -

7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 12

presented by Mike Leahy, Mo. Dept. of Conservation Natural Areas Coordinator

Change of venue: Due to the snow, the presentation has been changed to the Richard Schoettger Conference Building at the Columbia Environmental Research Center at 4200 New Haven Rd. in Columbia, MO (directions below)

Missouri River Relief, Friends of Big Muddy and Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge are proud to announce that our January 12 educational program will feature MDC Natural Areas Coordinator Mike Leahy discussing the designated Natural Areas in Missouri River blufflands and floodplain from Hamburg Bend to the Confluence.

The Missouri Natural Area system provides a way to highlight and protect particularly unique ecological communities throughout the state. From glades to wetlands, springs to forests, caves to prairies, these areas represent a cross- section of the best nature Missouri has to offer.

Mike Leahy works across the state to monitor, manage and protect these gems, located both on private and public lands.

Plus, he's one of the best all around naturalists you'll ever meet.

From Hamburg Bend to the Confluence, there are several designated Natural Areas along the Missouri River that highlight special ecological communities unique to the Big Muddy. (photo on right: Pelican Island Natural Area, Florissant, MO, photo by Vicki Richmond)

The talk, hosted by Friends of Big Muddy, Missouri River Relief and the Big Muddy NFWR will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 12, at the Richard Schoettger Conference Building at the Columbia Environmental Research Center at 4200 New Haven Rd. in Columbia, MO.

Directions

From I-70 - Head south on US 63 for 3.1 miles. Take the New Haven/MO-AC exit. Take a left. After one mile, take a right into the second entrance for the Columbia Environmental Research Center. The presentation will be inside the Richard Schoettger Conference Building at the main entrance.

All programs are open to the public. You do not need to be a member of either organization to participate.

We hope you can come and learn more about the Missouri River!