Community Stewardship Seminar planned
March 25, 2010
St. Charles County, MO
As a part of ongoing efforts to emphasize the importance of preserving and restoring the natural heritage within our region, the Parks Department will host a Community Stewardship Seminar from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20 at the County Administration Building (Room 115, at 201 North Second Street in St. Charles). Open to all, the free program presents lectures on ways to improve community preservation efforts and concludes with a guided walk through the grounds of the future Spring Bend Park.
“The Community Stewardship Seminar is designed to educate and inform attendees on urban wildlife management, volunteer coordination and methods in which agencies and organizations can work together for the benefit of all,” Forestry Supervisor Ben Grossman said. “Our goal for the workshop is to demonstrate how various partners have made a tremendous impact on natural community management in our region.”
The seminar furthers the Parks Department’s cooperative partnership with the Harvester/Mid Rivers Optimists on executing a recently awarded Missouri Department of Conservation Community Stewardship Grant toward the Spring Bend Park project. Over the last 12 months, volunteer efforts have removed more than 16 acres of invasive Bush Honeysuckle from the “park-in-reserve” and planted 45 different native wildflowers to restore the prairie at the site. In addition to the hands-on activities, the grant calls for extensive public education on the ill effects of improper land management.
To extend the awareness, the day-long seminar will share input on successful open-space management practices. Erin Shank, of the Missouri Department of Conservation, will lead the opening seminar that discusses suggested means for managing wildlife in an urban community. The second session, led by Bill Pattison of the Friends of LaBarque Creek watershed, will talk about successful cooperative partnerships. Third, Send Me St. Louis’ Debbie Nash will present ideas for individuals and groups seeking to gain a positive volunteer experience. Following the discussions and an included lunch, Grossman and his staff will lead a guided tour of the prairie, woodlands, and trails at the future Spring Bend Park.
Advanced registration before April 14, 2010 is required for this free event, which is limited to just 50 participants. Registrations are online at www.stccparks.org or via telephone at 636-949-7535. For questions, please call Forestry Supervisor Ben Grossman at 636-949-1832.
From the St. Charles County Parks Department
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