Leapin' Lizards

Italian Wall Lizard

Yes! Italian Wall Lizards are in Joplin, and they DON’T belong here! Some Joplin residents know this all too well! The rest of us need to be on the lookout for these invasive lizards. Competition with native lizards and other wildlife would be a major concern if they were to make their way to Wildcat Glades Natural Area or Silver Creek Glade.

But where did they come from? Apparently, Italian Wall Lizards (Podarcis siculus) escaped from a collector about 2001 when a feral cat dumped an enclosure set outside to give the lizards some sunshine. Since they are native to the Mediterranean region, the collector thought the winter would kill them…WRONG!

In 2013 a resident in the Murphysburg area of North Joplin contacted the Missouri State Herpetologist, Jeff Briggler, concerning a large number of lizards “infesting” his neighborhood. This was investigated, verified, and surveys have been conducted regularly to mark the spread of the lizard. They are commonly seen in rocky habitats, on walls, sidewalks, or building foundations in urban neighborhoods.

So why am I just hearing about this now? Residents were told to keep this problem quiet to prevent collectors from descending on the area to capture and spread them further. However, recently, this lizard was placed on the State of Missouri Prohibited Species List so they cannot legally be imported, exported, transported, sold, purchased, or possessed alive in Missouri. An article will appear in the Conservationist magazine this December.

What can I do about it? Report them when you see them! A research group from Texas A & M is tracking the range of these lizards and their impact on native species in the U.S. Submit photos to iNaturalist or to their research website (www.walllizards.com). If you see them on Wildcat or Silver Creek glades, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation right away!

Master Naturalist Training “Embrace Your Passion for Nature”

Are you passionate about the outdoors? Do you have a curiosity for the natural world and a desire to positively impact your community? If so, the Master Naturalist program might be just what you’re looking for. The Missouri Master Naturalist Program is a community-based natural resource education and volunteer initiative with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the University of Missouri Extension as partners. Our goal is to cultivate a group of dedicated volunteers in Missouri who are well-informed and eager to promote the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas. Our program brings together adult individuals from diverse backgrounds, all united by a love for nature and a commitment to lifelong learning.

On July 30, 2024, we invite you to join us for an information meeting to learn more about the Master Naturalist program. Discover how you can be part of a vibrant community that enjoys exploring Missouri's habitats, educating the public, gathering field data for citizen science, and working together on hands-on restoration projects, area cleanups, and testing water quality in our beneficial streams. At the meeting, you will be introduced to our training opportunities, hands-on service projects, and the camaraderie that comes with being a Master Naturalist. This is your opportunity to ask questions, meet current members, and find out how you can contribute to our local conservation efforts.

Pre-registration is required to attend. Click here to learn more and register:

Master Naturalist Information Meeting Registration

We hope you don’t miss this opportunity to turn your passion for nature into action. We look forward to seeing you there and embarking on this rewarding journey together!

What our members say…

“ The Chert Glades Master Naturalist chapter is a fantastic group for anyone with a passion for the natural world. The interests and expertise held by different members are so vast and diverse that you can get answers to questions you didn't even know you had. It is the kind of community that can make you grow as a naturalist, a community organizer, an educator, and a part of the environment."

Emily B. 

Class of 2022

"Hard to limit it to just a few lines, being part of a group with similar interests is always rewarding. Learning from others with varied skills and backgrounds makes projects rewarding." 

Jill F.

Class of 2005

"I would recommend the Missouri Master Naturalist program to anyone willing to learn how we can make a positive impact on our environment.  My goal is to learn as much as possible about nature so that I can inspire my children and grandchildren to take care of Mother Earth.  The MMN program in my opinion is one of the most important volunteer opportunities in our community." 

Patrick C.

Class of 2022

"If you’re passionate about nature, Missouri Master Naturalist can help find your people! Becoming a naturalist is a journey that lasts a lifetime. There is always something new to learn, understand, and share."

Val F.

Class of 2005

“When I first read about an upcoming training class, I knew immediately that I would love it. Ten years later I still love it.”

 Bonnie H.

Class of 2014

“I always thought I had a good understanding of the principles of conservation and nature. However, after joining the Missouri Master Naturalist Program, I have developed a new understanding of the essential need for native plants and trees to the ecology. I have also learned the importance of involving our community, an effort requires all of us for success in restoring our natural world.” 

 Cynthia N.

Class of 2020

“I thought I knew a lot about plants, animals, birds, and nature in general until I went through the core training in 2007.  There is not a day since I graduated from the training that I haven’t learned something new.  You get out of the program what you put into it.  The Chert Glade Chapter is a very active group with volunteering, working, and educating the general public & one another with a wide variety of topics.”

 Karen G.

Class of 2007

2024 Fall Training Information Date

Save the Date

Missouri's Native Champions

G.O.A.T. stands for 'Greatest of All Time,' as in the ultimate champs. In Missouri, this means superstar plants that do wonders for nature…native plants that birds, bees, and butterflies depend on to thrive.

If you're a gardener curious about these amazing plants, swing by the 'Goats in the Garden' event at Empire Market on March 9th. The Missouri Master Naturalist, Chert Glades Chapter, will be there to reveal Top 10 picks for different interests and garden situations. 

Do you want to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden? Are you trying to save water, or do you have a problem with too much water? Is your yard all sun or all shade? Are you trying to connect children to nature, or do you just want things to look pretty? 

Drop by our table and discover which plants might fit your needs in the very best way.  Let's level up Missouri's green game, one awesome plant at a time!     

Look for us on March 9, 2024 from 10:00 - 2:00

Empire Market

998 E 3rd St, Joplin, MO 64801

No Flying Monkeys in the Ozarks; We have Barred Owls!

There are certain phone calls I receive that from the first few words of conversation I know what the subject is going to be. For example, the passion vine or passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) native to our region is so different looking that when a caller to the Shoal Creek Nature Center starts to describe a plant as “different looking” or “bizarre” I have a hunch to its identification.  The one topic, I like the most, are the dialogs where the caller first identifies themselves as intelligent, not irrational, nor on lots of medication. I’ve even had them say “I’m a normal citizen and have a job!”.  I just smile on the other end of the phone, because then they say, “I think I have monkeys in my woods”.

We have eight species of owls in Missouri, and four live here all year long.  The other four raptors visit our region during the wintertime. Which makes the cooler seasons the absolute best time for viewing and enjoying owls.  Barred owls are likely to be the easiest to observe for the average nature lover; there is no doubt they are the one to hear. Barred owls are just the noisy students in the forested outdoor classroom. They are vocal all the time. When I do education programs for elementary classes, I lead in with Missouri’s owls and their special adaptations. I always end with how owls communicate, and I usually shut the classroom door, so we don’t disturb other classes down the hall. While some of our owl species trill, neigh, and hoot or hooo…barred owls have a repertoire of vocals. Third through fifth grade students like to learn about their communication, especially the main territory calls of a series of hoots that can be placed in a familiar rhythm sounding like “Who Cooks for You, Who Cooks for You ‘all”. However, the barred owls are very social with their partners and during certain times of year with their older offspring (the teenagers); they hoop and holler and carry on for easily 20 minutes or more. It is this ballad disorder when they truly sound like monkeys in the treetops.

These owls stay on territory year-round, so if you have them in your neighborhood or on your farm you are likely enjoying the same birds year after year. Barred owls appreciate mature woodlands, and an ideal habitat is a heavily wooded stream or water environment. To keep their body weight down, owls will cough up a neatly packaged pellet of indigestible fur, scales and bones of their prey. This way the materials don’t have to be in their body for full digestion and makes flight more efficient. Their favorite branch perch will have some pellets on the forest floor below. An easy investigation of the owl pellets will give us evidence of meadow voles, crayfish, snakes, and wood rats. Frogs are part of the diet as well; however, they are easily digested and won’t have remains in the pellet. Naturalists appreciate their role in the environment for where they fit in the food web. Just as many people and school children are fascinated by their adaptations and attractive good looks.

Barred owls have dark eyes (of Teddy Bear quality), and their heads are rounded without feather tuffs. Males and females look similar, but females are slightly larger. Teenagers will have more reddish or brown tones, compared to more gray plumage of older adults.  I have to say, I think of them as good neighbors on my farm. Kansas’ Dorothy witnessed flying monkeys in OZ, but we never have to worry about them. And just like lovable neighbors…we all might hear their “music/songs” or conversations …but we smile and appreciate them in our community.

Jeff Cantrell is a local Stream Team biologist and specializes in conservation volunteer engagement. He assists MO Master Naturalist chapters in Joplin, Rolla, and Springfield and is proud to announce their 2024 recognition pin is the Barred Owl.  Thank you volunteers for serving our natural heritage!

Field notes by J. Cantrell, photos courtesy of the MO Dept. of Conservation

Plant a Native Garden