Environmental Echo

Don Corrigan discusses his new book, "Nuts About Squirrels" with Kevin Killeen on KMOX's “Whole Nother Story.” For more information about Corrigan's new book visit www.environmentalecho.com.

Heather Navarro shares information and insights into the CLEAN Missouri Initiative and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. She was also recently elected to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen for the 28th Ward, which filled the seat formerly held by Mayor Lyda Krewson. In this wide-ranging interview, Navarro talks about the importance of the City of St. Louis becoming sustainable and combating the affects of climate change, urban and rural areas working together, the safety of residents living near the radioactive waste in North County, and measures that will be on the ballot for St. Louis City in 2018.

Jean Turney, the education coordinator at Forest Park Forever, shares her insights of the wild spaces open to everyone at the park. Everyone in the St. Louis area knows about the great institutions in Forest Park, like the Saint Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, and The Muny. However, many may not know about the natural wild spaces in Forest Park. From old growth forests, bird watching, fishing, nature walking trails, to outdoor learning opportunities - it's all there just waiting to be discovered. Pictured: Jean Turney, education coordinator at Forest Park Forever. Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Are you concerned the historic flooding in the Fenton, Pacific, Eureka, Valley Park, Sunset Hills, and the St. Louis area will happen again? You should be. David Stokes, the executive director of Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, offers insights into what lessons are not being learned from repeated mistakes, the hardships, the choices local areas face, and a few common sense solutions.

Peter Dykstra is an award-winning environmental journalist with diverse and collective knowledge of the issues confronting the environment, the industry that reports on the environment, and the policies that affect the environment. The former board member of the Society of Environmental Journalist talks with Don Corrigan about the origins of the journalism organization, activism, the current political climate, and many other topics related to the environment.

Hear Kevin Killeen, from KMOX Radio St. Louis, interview Don Corrigan about the new book Images of America: Forest Park. (Interview date was Wednesday, July 12, 2017) Images of America: Forest Park, a new book by Don Corrigan and Holly Shanks, is dedicated to the more than 13 million people who make Forest Park come alive with their visits each year.  The book is full of historic photographs and insightful stories that tell the significance of Forest Park, its history, and its world class institutions. The book will release on July 17, 2017, and can be purchase on Amazon.

The Fenton Board of Aldermen heard concerns from the residents and business owners about the recent flooding at its meeting on June 8. Historic flooding has plagued the area for the second time in less than 18 months. Comments ranged from the issues of floodplain development to the Valley Park levee.

Dan Zarlenga is the guest on this week's Environmental Echo podcast series. Zarlenga, the St. Louis Regional Media Specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, has a unique hobby - he photographs the star filled night sky while incorporating night-time landscapes. The photographs are stunning and Zarlenga shares his techniques, how long it took to learn the craft of nighttime photography, and his passion for the outdoors. See more of Zarlenga's photos at environmentalecho.com (all photos provided by Dan Zarlenga.)

A new book by Nancy Carver, Discovering Public Parks in St. Louis, Missouri, has put hundreds of St. Louis County and St. Louis City parks in one combined reference place. The details of each park are included and readers get a glimpse into elements, such as the history, sculptures, amenities, special features, size, location, and little-known facts about each park. The book is comprehensive and incorporates all parks, whether federal, state, city, county, or neighborhood. "Only three other major cities have more parks than St. Louis City and County combined. Only three other major cities have a signature park with more visitors than our Forest Park." Carver shares insights with Don Corrgian about her new book, and how St. Louis parks and the parks system developed, and why St. Louis should be considered a premier city with access to numerous local parks and green spaces.

Taylor Hale, the campaign organizer for Environment Missouri, is this week's guest on Environmental Echo. Don Corrigan visits with Hale about the organization Environment Missouri and her thoughts about the politics currently surrounding climate change action. Environment Missouri "is a statewide citizen-based environmental advocacy organization."

Sarah Willey is this week's guest on Environmental Echo. Willey is involved with local environmental and activists groups, such as the Sierra Club, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, and MOmentum: Missouri Moving Forward. Don Corrigan interviews Willey about her thoughts and opinions involving the EPA and climate change, the current political landscape, and 2017 becoming the "year of the march."

The St. Louis County Library seminar series "Science in St. Louis" is connecting scientists with the local community. The informal science talks give local communities the chance to personally interact with scientists working in the St. Louis area. The seminars are free and open to the public. Attendees can expect to learn about a variety of topics, such as how new drugs are designed, the real CSI: the science of forensics, how 3D printers help amputees and even the science of Missouri caves. Stacey Lewis, the St. Louis County Library Adult Programming Manager, shares insights into the program and Stacey Lewis, the St. Louis County Library Adult Programming Manager, shares insights into the popular program with Environmental Echo.

Don Corrigan interviews Dr. Meredith Spiekerman Byers, co-chair of Kirkwood School's PROJECT IDEA, about the outdoor project, the learning opportunities, the successes, and the future goals of the outdoor learning lab.

C.D. Stelzer, a local investigative journalist, has spent years following and reporting on nuclear waste issues in the St. Louis area. Stelzer spent five years creating, "The First Secret City," a documentary film that tells the story of St. Louis' radioactive history and the resulting harmful legacy. In Don Corrigan's latest podcast, he talks with Stelzer about the documentary film, the effort it took for Stelzer and project partner to create the film, and the continuing issues with nuclear waste contamination at the Westlake Landfill and Coldwater Creek areas. Pictured: C.D. Stelzer.

Bats in the U.S. are under threat from a fungus that causes a disease known as White Nose Syndrome. The disease has the potential to wipe out entire bat populations and is spreading. Jo Schaper is the guest on this week's Environmental Echo podcast. Recently, Schaper attended a conference about White Nose Syndrome, held in Denver, Colorado. She shares updated information about what wildlife and conservation organizations are doing to help stop the spread of the disease and what efforts are being implemented to help save the U.S. bat populations. Photo: Little brown bat; close-up of nose with fungus, New York, Oct. 2008. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Photo courtesy Ryan von Linden/New York Department of Environmental Conservation

The Rev. Mitch Hescox, Presidnet and CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network, is the guest with Don Corrigan's podcast series. Hescox explains what the Evangelical Environmental Network is all about and how evangelicals can help find conservative solutions to the pollution and environmental issues that harm God's creation, the earth, and our children. Photo is courtesy of Rev. Mitch Hescox.

The Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan, the rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Town and Country, talks to Don Corrigan about the idea that religion and science, specifically climate change science, can coexist.

Take a few minutes and listen to this week's Environmental Echo podcast featuring Jim Stroup, who's home will be a destination on the tour, and Terry Winkelmann, the founder of the St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour. Stroup shares his insights and experiences about opening his yard's many sustainable features to tour participants and the joys of working in the garden with his grandchildren. Winkelmann shares the reasons she started the Sustainable Backyard Tours and the best way to tour the backyards like a seasoned pro. Both interviews were pre-recorded separately with Stroup first followed by Winkelmann. Photo: Jim Stroup tending his backyard garden.

Jo Shaper is the guest on this Environmental Echo podcast wth Don Corrigan. She gives listeners an explanation of where the TCE contamination in Meramec Caverns came from, the geology of the Sullivan area that makes remediation almost impossible, the issues faced by Missouri caving enthusiasts, and the possible effects of the TCE contamination as it enters the Meramec River. Photo courtesy Jo Schaper. (pictured is Jo Shaper and her husband.)

Dawn Chapman, from the Just Moms STL group, is the guest on this Environmental Echo podcast edition with Don Corrigan. She talks the latest on the West Lake Landfill issues where an underground fire is slowly creeping toward buried nuclear waste. Pictured: Dawn Chapman (Left) and Karen Nickel, co-founders of Just Moms STL.

Chris Whitley, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7, shares the latest updates on the remediation efforts at Meramec Caverns. The popular tourist cave closed in March due to elevated contamination levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) vapors.

It's hot, and it's sticky outside - Welcome to summer in St. Louis! Do you have a garden wilting in the heat? If so, we've got some tips to help your garden continue producing well into the fall months. Jennifer Schamber, the general manager of Greenscape Gardens, shares how to protect your garden in the hot St. Louis summer weather. Pictured is Jennifer Schamber.

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is holding its fifth annual Great Race competition on Thursday, May 12, 2016. Kim Cella, executive director of CMT, is the guest on this edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain" with Don Corrigan. Corrigan and Cella discuss the meaning behind the race, the positive environmental impacts of public transportation, and he might even try to uncover a few race strategy ideas from Cella. Pictured is Don Corrigan as he finishes a previous year's race. Photo Credit: Webster-Kirkwood Times.

Meet John Hickey, the Missouri Chapter Director of the Sierra Club, who is the guest on this week's "Behind the Editor's Curtain." Hickey shares his insights into the Missouri Sierra Club - what the organization's environmental mission is based on, and also the organization's political advocacy goals and stance on a few current policies. The organization also manages to have a little fun as well, and Hickey tells Don Corrigan how important it is to get out into nature and enjoy what it has to offer. Pictured: John Hickey (left) on a float trip. Photo provided by John Hickey.

Grow Native! - a one of a kind program that began right here in Missouri. The program is a native plant marketing and education program of the Missouri Prairie Foundation. Bill Ruppert, a local St. Louis gardening and conservation expert, shares his insight into the diverse Grow Native! program. Photo from information booth at the Kirkwood, Mo, Earth Day Festival, April 16, 2016.

Brian Ettling, a seasonal park ranger at Crater Lake National Park, is the guest on this week's "Behind the Editor's Curtain" with Don Corrigan. This podcast is an interesting look inside the life of a national park ranger and his first-hand accounts about how the warming climate is changing what he sees year to year in nature. Pictured: Brian Ettling

Jennifer Schamber, the general manager of Greenscape Gardens, gives gardening advice and tips in this informative podcast. Schamber talks about a variety of interesting gardening topics, including the importance of soil type, the place to find free plastic pots, the tried and true collection of veggies from Gateway Greening's Perfect Picks, and even why many grocery store tomatoes don't have that great homegrown tomato taste. Pictured: Jennifer Schamber.

Jim Kramper, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in St. Louis, talks with Don Corrigan about what a day in the life of a weather warning coordinator is like, weather safety, weather pattern myths, and what can be learned from Missouri's past severe weather events. Picture courtesy National Weather Service.

"Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites: Exploring Our Legacy," is an updated comprehensive guide to each of Missouri's State Parks unique opportunities to enjoy the State's outdoor spaces. Susan Flader, Ph.D., talks to Don Corrigan about the new State Parks added to the book, the 100th Anniversary of the parks system, and several surprising facts and issues surrounding Missouri's State Parks. Pictured: Roaring River State Park Photo credit: Kyle Spradley

Missouri Rep. Bill Otto, D - Dist. 70, is the guest on this edition on "Behind the Editor's Curtain" with Don Corrigan. Otto shares his thoughts about the importance of the environment in the upcoming elections and issues of public safety relating to the Westlake Landfill radioactive waste topic. Pictured: Rep. Bill Otto

Missouri Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D - Dist 14, is the guest on in this edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain" with Don Corrigan. For more information, visit http://environmentalecho.com/ Pictured: Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal.

Associate Professor of Biology at Saint Louis University, Jason Knouft, talks with Don Corrigan about possible issues from raw sewage being pumped into the Meramec River because of the damaged Fenton Sewage Treatment Plant. Pictured: Jason Knouft. Produced by Holly Shanks. Music provided by House of Cowboy.

Kim Visintine, one of the founding members of the organization, "Cold Water Creek: Just the Facts Please," is the guest on this edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain" with Don Corrigan. Visintine shares the story of how radioactive waste from Cold Water Creek has been spread throughout North County over the decades. She and a group of childhood friends, who grew up in the Cold Water Creek area in the 1970s and 80s, reconnected years later through social media. After a short time, they discovered that sickness and rare health issues plagued almost everyone they knew, including the passing of some of those health issues genetically to their children. For more information visit http://environmentalecho.com/ Photo provided by Kim Visintine. (from left to right): Laura Puent Reeves, Jenell Rodden Wright, Angela Helbling and Kim Visintine. The photo was taken in 2013 at a Missouri Conservation for the Environment Event where the group received an award.

Carolyn Finney, Ph.D., is the guest on this edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain" with Don Corrigan. Finney is the author of “Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors.” For more information, visit www.environmentalecho.com Pictured: Carolyn Finney. Photo provided by Finney.

Jan OberKramer, the Executive Director of The Green Center in University City, Mo, is the guest on this edition of "Behind The Editor's Curtain." Oberkramer talks with Don Corrigan about nature deficit disorder, the importance for all children to get outdoors, and what The Green Center is all about. Photos provided by The Green Center. For more information, visit www.environmentalecho.com Produced by Holly Shanks. Music provided by House of Cowboy.

John Vogel, Missouri Department of Conservation's Wildlife Regional Supervisor for the St. Louis area, talks to Environmental Echo about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), changes to the upcoming deer hunting season regulations and other issues affecting Missouri's deer population. For more information, visit http://environmentalecho.com/ Music provided by House of Cowboy.

Jessie Hoagland, the founder of Green Spiral Tours, is the special guest on this edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain" with Don Corrigan. Green Spiral Tours is an "eco-adventure school designed to connect people with their place on the planet." Pictures provided by Green Spiral Tours Produced by Holly Shanks. Music provided by House of Cowboy. For more information or to leave feedback visit, www.environmentalecho.com

Gracie MacDonell, the vice president customer relations at Bellefontaine Cemetery, located in St. Louis, Mo, is the special guest for an Environmental Echo podcast with Holly Shanks. MacDonell gives insight into the history of natural burials, the process involved with choosing a natural burial, and the options family members have when taking care of a loved one's last wishes at the end of life. Photo of wicker casket provided by Gracie MacDonell, Bellefontaine Cemetery. For more information or comments, visit www.environmentalechol.com Music provided by House of Cowboy.

Professor Bob Criss, with the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, is the special guest on this edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain" with Don Corrigan. Criss talks with Don Corrigan about the recent flooding in St. Louis, the decisions being made he thinks facilitates more frequent and severe flooding and the consequences of allowing development in flood plains. Photo by Diana Linsley, Webster-Kirkwood Times. Produced by Holly Shanks. Music provided by House of Cowboy. Visit www.environmentalecho.com for more information.

"The parents and grandparents of the people in St. Louis are the big heroes," Bob Wyss said. "They looked at a problem and they resolved it, and they should be credited for what they did." Bob Wyss, an associate professor of journalism at the University of Connecticut, created a blog called, "A Coal Black Sky." Wyss is this week's guest on "Behind The Editor's Curtain" with Don Corrigan. Wyss and Corrigan discuss environmental information and more about the history and stories from "A Coal Black Sky." For more information, visit www.enviromentalecho.com Photo provided by Bob Wyss. Produced by Holly Shanks. Music provided by House of Cowboy.

Campbell talks with Don Corrigan about his newsletter, his experience as a retired petroleum investment advisor, his take on the political scene, and the upcoming presidential elections on this edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain." Photo by Diana Linsley, Webster-Kirkwood Times.

David Henry walked 1,000 miles, across several states, to talk with strangers about climate change. He braved rainy weather conditions, difficult roadways, and dodged texting drivers. Henry talks with Don Corrigan about his journey across part of the U.S. on this edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain." Photo from the back cover of Henry's new book "David and the Giant Mailbox." Produced by Holly Shanks. Music provided by House of Cowboy.

Webster graduate and environmental journalist, Dawn Reeves, attended the U.N. Climate Conference in Paris. Reeves shares insights from the conference and explains elements of the agreement reached by countries attending the conference with Don Corrigan on this week's edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain." Pictured: Dawn Reeves. Photo provided by Dawn Reeves. Produced by Holly Shanks. Music provided by House of Cowboy. For more information, visit www.environmentalecho.com

Tim Christian, from the St. Louis for Safe Trains organization, is the interview guest with Don Corrigan on this edition of "Behind the Editor's Curtain." Photo by Ursula Ruhl, Webster-Kirkwood Times.

Jeff DePew, a wetland and climate change scientist, talks to Don Corrigan about his viewpoints, thoughts, and opinions on the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris on this week's "Behind The Editor's Curtain" podcast. Photo provided by Jeff DePew. Jeff DePew (right) and Julia Gabbert, former Webster University student, are pictured above.

The invasive Asian Carp is the topic of discussion on this week's "Behind The Editor's Curtain." For the last several years, Jill Moon, a reporter and editor for The Telegraph, Alton, IL, has followed the Asian carp issue. Moon talks with Don Corrigan about the carp invasion, the environmental and economic issues they create, and a few of the efforts underway to curb their spread. Photo by Jill Moon/The Telegraph, Alton, IL

"I put a carrot in the ground and all hell broke loose" - Ron Finley In South Los Angeles, a handful of "gangster gardeners" started something beautiful where beauty was in short supply. They planted vegetables in abandoned spaces, along curbs, and in other unused spaces. What grew out of the ground was a whole lot more than fresh produce. Holly Shanks spoke to Gateway Greening's new executive director, Matt Schindler, and Annie Mayrose, volunteer and outreach manager, to find out more about the movie screening and how Gateway Greening brings life to community garden programs in the St. Louis area.

Never underestimate the power of women in a book club! Don Corrigan speaks with Patricia Schuba, president of the Labadie Environmental Organization, on "Behind the Editor's Curtain." Their conversation talks about the hazards of coal ash from coal-fired electricity plants, about the organization’s beginnings from a local women's book club, the long process of getting results for environmental concerns, and the importance of community collaboration. Photo provided by Patricia Schuba.

Interview with Larry Lazar, co-founder of Climate Reality St. Louis, about the movie showing and discussion of the documentary "Merchants of Doubt" at Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, Mo, on November 15, 2015, is all about.

Don Corrigan interviews Dawn Chapman and Karen Nickel, co-founders of Just Moms STL, in this edition of "Behind The Editor's Curtain." The duo shares their insight, research, perspectives, updates, and history about the issues surrounding the West Lake Landfill and their struggle to protect their kids, their family, and their community. "The hardest thing is not getting people to action, but getting people not to lose hope," Just Moms STL said. "The bureaucracy in this issue is huge and it's so disgusting that people lose heart and say that nobody is going to come in and save us." Picture provided by Just Moms STL. Dawn Chapman (Left) and Karen Nickel, co-founders of Just Moms STL.

Don Corrigan talks with Tom Kruzen, recipient of the 2015 Lewis C. Green Environmental Service Award, in this edition of "Behind the Editors Curtain." Kruzen shares some of his experiences about working to protect Missouri's natural resources for nearly four decades. Photo provided by Tom Kruzen. Angel Kruzen (left), Ken Midkiff (center), and Tom Kruzen (right).