Organizations:
v Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Department of Home Missions
Follow
the links to DHM Ministries – Earth Care – Green Chalice for more information
about our denomination’s initiatives on creation care including the Green
Chalice program. The Olivet Board officially approved our congregation’s
participation in the Green Chalice program in April 2015.
v Mennonite Creation Care Network
Source of
environmental issues curriculum, Every
Creature Singing, used in one of our adult education classes fall
2015. Access the complete curriculum on line as well as other resources
v Creation Justice Ministries (formerly the
National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program)
Represents creation care and environmental justice policies
of major Christian denominations, including Disciples of Christ. This website lists news, advocacy campaigns,
and a variety of resources. Users can
sign up for regular emails about a variety of issues and have opportunities to
express their concerns.
v Blessed Earth
Organization founded by Matthew and Nancy Sleeth to inspire
faithful stewardship of all creation.
See website for educational materials and resources and downloadable Earth Tip Sheets on a variety of
environmental topics. The book Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a
Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life authored by Nancy Sleeth, was the
topic of study in one of Olivet’s adult education classes a few years ago.
Conservation Organizations/Areas:
v Runge Nature Center (Jefferson City,
Missouri)
A wonderful environmental
educational center located a quick drive from Columbia and is open every day to
the public. Featuring over 100 acres
with a visitor’s center filled with exhibits and live animal displays, special
events almost every day, many trails, demonstrations, and diverse natural
habitats.
v Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
The Xerces Society is a nonprofit
conservation organization, is a leader in the effort to conserve North America’s
native pollinators. It is named for Xerces blue – a beautiful blue
butterfly formerly in the San Francisco coastal dunes whose extinction was
caused in the 20th century by habitat destruction.
Founded in 1971, the society protects insects and other invertebrates through
advocacy, education, policy development and applied research projects aimed at
protecting and managing critical habitat.
v Prairie Fork Conservation Area (Williamsburg,
Missouri)
A 771 acre area that was donated
to the Missouri Department of Conservation by Pat Jones in 1997. The area provides natural resource education,
restoration of native prairie, management and research with a wide range of
ecosystems with prairie, forests, wetlands, and so much more! They host a wide array of activities, mostly
student groups from around the state come out for field trips.
Gardening:
v Grow Native
Lots of information about
Missouri’s landscape with native plants and how to use them to create garden
space. Full of photos, suggestions, and
hundreds of native plants to integrate into your own gardens/flower beds.
v Seed Savers Exchange (Decorah, Iowa)
A non-profit organization
dedicated to saving and sharing seeds. Newsletter and member seed sharing
network is available online and in print. Seed Savers also offers their
own annual seed catalog online and in print featuring over 600 varieties of
seeds available for purchase.
Local Contacts/Organizations:
v Bradford Research and Extension Center (University
of Missouri)
Keep up with events and projects
at Olivet’s ‘neighbor’- an almost 600 acre research farm about 2 miles
southeast of the church. Favorite annual community events include Native
Plant Day in April and the Tomato Festival in early September.
v Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Missouri)
A quick drive to Jefferson City
can show you 2 of Lincoln’s research farms including Busby farm which is an
organic farm which specializes in organic growing and integrated pest
management. George Washington Carver
Farm is also located in Jefferson City and does a lot of work with a seed bank,
soil, and water conservation. They host
many public events throughout the year as well as have a great staff of
extension agents that are always willing to help answer questions/assist with
your own projects.
Kid Friendly Sites:
v US EPA Learning and Teaching
about the Environment
A site designed with K-12
students in mind with resources for both students and teachers with many
interactive games, possible projects, videos, thousands of handouts/materials,
and so much more.
v Ducks Unlimited Greenwings
(kids)
A site designed specifically
for kids filled with information about ducks, duck conservation, wetlands and
more. Lots of children friendly games
and activities focusing on waterfowl and conservation.
v Xplor (Missouri Department
of Conservation magazine for kids)
A magazine that you can get
delivered FREE to your house or can
look at online. Filled with information
about conservation, upcoming events for kids across Missouri, animals, nature
crafts/activities, and so much more.
Also parent links/questions that you can ask your children as they read
through the magazine.
v Project Learning Tree
An award-winning
environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators,
parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade
12. A huge wealth of information consisting of full curriculum and educational
materials.
v Project WET
Their mission is to reach
children, parents, teachers, community members of the world with water
education that promotes awareness of water and empowers community action to
solve complex water issues. Similar to
Project Learning Tree but concentrating on water they have a lot of interactive
lessons and games that are all educational.
v Project Wild
Information about and sample
materials from an interactive, interdisciplinary wildlife conservation and
environment.
v Water Rocks!
An interactive site with
plenty of videos, games, and activities to teach children about water and
specifically precipitation, evaporation, condensation, and ultimately water
appreciation/conservation.
Nature Trails/ Areas close to Columbia:
Taken from Columbia Parks and Recreation
Trail Guide (https://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/Trails/)
Destination (Major) Trails
The Bear Creek Trail, Hinkson Creek Trail, and MKT
Trail are the premier multi-use trails in Columbia. These 10-ft. wide trails
with crushed limestone surfaces are good for walking, jogging, and biking.
These three trails along with the future Perche Creek Trail will make up the proposed
30-mile trail loop around the city.
County House Trail and the South Providence Trail
were added to the trail system in 2011. The Hominy Creek Trail (Phase I) and
Scott's Branch Trail were added in 2013. Grindstone Creek Trail was added in
2015. These trails are constructed out of concrete to reduce maintenance costs
and provide consistent trail conditions. County House, South Providence, and
Hominy Creek Trails have an alternative gravel side path along portions of the
concrete trail. All of these trails connect residential and business areas to
Columbia Trail System and the proposed
30-mile trail loop.
Each trail
generally has several access points. Various trailheads provide parking and
restrooms. Click on the links below for more information on individual trails.
v County House Trail - 2.0 miles, MKT Trail to Stadium Blvd., concrete with
limestone side path, (limestone only inside Twin Lakes Recreation Area)
v Hinkson Creek Trail - 4.25 miles (2 miles - City portion, 2.25 miles - UMC
portion), MKT Trail to Grindstone Nature Area, limestone
v Hominy Creek Trail - 1.2 miles, Green Valley Drive (near Stephens Lake Park) to
Lansing Avenue (near Woodridge Park), concrete with limestone side path
v MKT Nature & Fitness Trail- 8.9 miles (4.7 miles - City portion, 4.2 miles - County
portion), Flat Branch Park to Katy Trail State Park, limestone
v Scott's Branch Trail - 1.3 miles, Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary to Scott Blvd. at
Chapel Hill Road, concrete
v South Providence
Trail -1.7 miles, Old
Plank Road to Green Meadows Road, concrete with limestone side path
Major Trail Connectors
There are many connections that link neighborhoods
to Columbia's major destination trails. However, some of the larger connector
trails provide an enjoyable trail journey within themselves. Below are major
trail connectors that trail users may enjoy exploring in addition to the
premiere destination trails listed above.
v Blue Ridge Road Connector - 0.32 mile, Vanderveen Subdivision off Blue Ridge Road to
wetland loop at Garth Nature Area to Bear Creek Trail, concrete
v Greenbriar Connector - 0.4 mile, Greenbriar Drive (Green Meadows residential area)
to MU Rec Trail to MKT Trail, concrete
Trails in Community Parks, Regional Parks, and Nature Areas
Community parks
are typically 15-100 acres, with a service area generally up to three miles.
Regional parks are normally 200 or more acres, with a service area extending to
five or more miles. Many of these parks provide parking and/or restrooms.
Trails are usually just one of many recreation choices in these larger parks.
Nature areas usually feature trails to explore and enjoy the natural, preserved
green spaces.
Neighborhood Park Trails
Neighborhood
parks are typically 5-10 acres and are designed to be within walking distance
of surrounding neighborhoods. They typically do not include parking or
restrooms. Neighborhood park trails provide opportunity for park users to get
exercise near home, while tracking the distance covered.
v Eastport Park Trail - .37 mile (park trail only), limestone; 0.62 mile (loop),
limestone and sidewalk along the street
School Outdoor Tracks
The following
school tracks were funded in whole or part by the Park Sales Tax and are open
to the public when school is not in session.
No comments:
Post a Comment