Women Owning Woodlands to host chain saw safety events in November

COOK STATION, Mo. – The Missouri Chapter of Women Owning Woodlands will hold events on chain saw safety in November, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources specialist Sarah Higgins.

Speaking for the trees

BRAYMER, Mo. – Jim Ball says his motivation to plant trees comes from his love for the outdoors developed while growing up hunting, fishing, hiking and camping in Braymer, Mo. Ball put that outdoor experience to use during Army training in places like Panama, where he was designated a jungle expert, followed by a yearlong tour in Vietnam.

The woods: Missouri's other place to shop for food

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Look no further than your local woods for fresh, flavorful fruits and nuts, says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Kelly McGowan. In the woods, you’ll find a colorful and tasty assortment of edible delights, including wild strawberry, gooseberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, plums, mulberry, elderberry, grapes, persimmons, pawpaws and nuts, McGowan says.

Missouri Master Naturalists celebrate program's 20th anniversary

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri Master Naturalists recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the program during a state conference in Columbia hosted by the Boone’s Lick Master Naturalist chapter.

Lingering effects of recent cicada emergence

The cicada symphony may be coming to an end, but the effects of the performers are becoming apparent. Calls and emails are beginning to come into University of Missouri Extension offices from homeowners reporting the ends of many tree branches are turning brown and dropping off. “In the past few days I have answered more than a dozen inquiries related to cicada damage,” said Hank Stelzer, MU Extension’s forestry state specialist.

MDC, MU Extension thank Master Naturalists for 2023 accomplishments

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation and University of Missouri Extension thank the Missouri Master Naturalists for volunteering thousands of hours to conserving Missouri’s natural resources in 2023.

MU Master Gardeners 'Dreams' team grows love of gardening, education

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City and Master Naturalists use gardening to teach students to grow healthy food and dream big. The Extension Master Gardener group, called Urban Green Dreams, works with Kansas City youths using Eating From the Garden, a research-based MU Extension program for fourth and fifth grade students.

MU Extension horticulturist searches for rare Ozark butterfly

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Kelly McGowan is on the hunt for the elusive Ozark woodland swallowtail, a pollinator unique to the Ozark region of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.

Hostas: Emperors of the Shade

COLUMBIA, Mo. —Few plants add more interest to shady areas than hostas.