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A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
St. LOUIS, Mo.—The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites you to help make a clean sweep of invasive bush honeysuckle at O’Fallon Park in St. Louis as part of the Back to Nature project.
The O’Fallon Park Honeysuckle Sweep takes place this Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers will learn about exotic and invasive plants, like bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), that threaten Missouri’s natural beauty and biodiversity while causing annoyances for humans too. There will be a chance to pitch in and help remove invasive plants to beautify the woodlands of O’Fallon Park.
Volunteers should plan to meet at the O'Fallon Park Rec Complex, 4343 West Florissant Road.
No experiences is necessary and tools and gloves will be provided. All volunteers will also be treated to a free breakfast. Friends and neighbors from the O’Fallon Park area and anyone wanting to help are welcome. Wearing sturdy, closed-toed shoes and bringing a re-usable water bottle is recommended.
Participants can make a real difference as they learn how bush honeysuckle causes critical damage to the natural ecosystem and decreases human enjoyment and recreation in green spaces.
The Honeysuckle Sweep is part of the Back to Nature project, funded by an MDC grant. The goal of the multi-year project is to revitalize and beautify the park, in addition to restoring habitat for native plants and animals.
Other partners helping to make the Back to Nature project possible include North Newstead Association, St. Louis ReCast, Shaw Nature Reserve, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, the City of St. Louis, Brightside St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Master Naturalists and BiodiverseCity St. Louis.
Back to Nature at O’Fallon Park is part of MDC’s continuing effort to work with and for Missourians to create a better environment for people and wildlife. For more information on other community conservation funding opportunities in the St. Louis area, go to https://tinyurl.com/ydephpw5.
