FESTIVAL OF EAGLES – STELLA MISSOURI

It’s that time of year again   —  time to view the eagles at Stella.  The Chert Glades Master Naturalists will be hosting  the Festival of Eagles  on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Stella, Missouri.  Activities begin at 10:00 a.m. and go until 3:00 p.m.  There will be scopes set up for getting up close and personal views of the eagles who visit Stella every year.

Representatives from the Missouri Department of Conservation  and Missouri Master Naturalists will be available for answering questions.  There will be a life-sized eagle nest replica, a life-sized eagle wingspread to compare your “wing span” to that of an eagle, face painting, and more.  Volunteers will be scouting the area for good viewing opportunities and maps will be available to help you get the best views.  Every year the town of Stella has some goodies available for those who visit.  There will be hot coffee, hot cocoa, and baked goodies available at the Methodist Church.

For directions to Stella, you can check mapquest or google maps.  Here are simplified directions:  from Joplin, take I 49 south to Neosho, exit 24 (US 60).  Turn left.  Go 1.3 miles.  Turn righ on I 49 BUS/MO 59/US 71 BUS S.  Go 1.3 miles.  Turn left on Lyon Dr.  Go 1.5 miles.  Turn right on Doniphan, go .8 miles.  The road will curve left and become Hwy. D.  Go 10.6 miles.  Turn left onto Hwy. A.  Go .8 miles and you will be in Stella.  The activities will be located at the city park on the corner of Carter & Ozark streets.

So, come join us for a day of fun in the great outdoors. Dress for the weather, bring your camera and binoculars, if you have them, but mostly just come to enjoy the day.  It’s a great opportunity to spend time with your family, learning about one of the great successes of conservation.

In winter, Missouri is a leading migratory stop for Bald Eagles, and Stella is a great place to see them!

Bald Eagle recovery is a spectacular conservation success story!

• 1782 – Adopted as national symbol; 100,000 nests (est)
• 1800’s(early) – Nesting eagles common in Missouri
• 1900 – Numbers declining; eagles shot on sight to protect livestock; no Missouri nests
• 1940 – In danger of extinction; Bald Eagle Protection Act makes harming, possessing or harassing illegal
• 1962 – U.S. nesting pairs dwindle to about 400; Silent Spring(Rachel Carson) is published linking the pesticide DDT to thinning eggs that  break during incubation or otherwise fail to hatch
• 1972 – DDT banned
• 1978 – Listed as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act(ESA)
• 1983 – First report of re-nesting in Missouri
• 1995 – Status upgraded to “threatened” (ESA)
• 2007 – Bald Eagles completely de-listed (ESA)
• 2007-present – More than 2000 Bald Eagles winter in Missouri with 200-300 nesting pairs!

Photography:  Kevin Mouser, Ken Middick, Katharine Spigarelli, Becky Wylie

Eagle facts:  Val Frankoski

- See more at: http://chertglades.org/?p=2012#sthash.0RqA0N1a.dpuf

GET RID OF THE WINTER BLAHS By Ann Butts

If you are not careful, you’ll catch the winter blahs. You know them, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, and STRESS! It’s not the flu, but it is a sickness. Some people call it cabin fever, some use technical terms like Seasonal Affective Disorder. I call it TOO MUCH TIME INDOORS! But there is a cure. Take a nature walk. Get outside, regardless of the weather. Even fifteen minutes outside can cure the winter blahs. You will feel better.

Studies have shown that just being outdoors contributes to overall good health.  There are two kinds of benefits from getting outdoors.  The first is improvement in your cognitive thinking; clear your mind so you can think.  The second is an improvement in your mood.  A side effect is improvement in physical health.  Observing nature takes your mind off your troubles and relieves your stress.

There is a lot to see if you know where to look.   Even on an icy, rainy day, you can find treasures.  In a park, along a walking trail, or in your back yard, there are winter wonders waiting for you to discover. Droplets forming on limbs, bright blue seeds on a green cedar tree, and birds at your feeders. 

Walk along a stream and just listen to the soft rushing of the water.  Observe ducks or geese in a pond, they can be fun and hilarious to watch. Get far away from civilization and listen to the sounds of nature in winter.  A night time hike will open your eyes to the beauty and sounds of the night skies.

 Winter walks can be so peaceful!  It will restore you!

Studies have also shown that looking at pictures of natural scenes, while not the same as being there, can have calming affects.  Enjoy this slideshow of  pictures from members of our chapter who have been outside this winter, then make a commitment to getting outside to improve your physical fitness relieve your stress, and  get rid of the winter BLAHS!