Reciprocity in Action

Missouri Conservation Corps (MCC) is a grassroots organization where volunteers are working together to restore the web of life in our parks and public spaces. We plant native trees, hack invasive species, and discover why it matters. When the web of life is restored by nurturing native plant communities, other ecosystem functions begin to heal as well like cleaner air, water, and healthier populations of pollinators.

I am dedicated to working with MCC as a naturalist because I am passionate about developing educational programs that inspire participants to then engage in environmental stewardship activities like restoring native plant communities, understanding bird populations in relation to native plants and studying monarch populations. 

By supporting MCC you will be supporting my ability to host conservation programs as a naturalist among other outreach efforts. Last summer and fall I was able to host seven Monarch Journey programs for over 160 people. These programs explored the Monarch life cycle and conservation efforts that helped us better understand what Monarchs need to survive. Other programs explored bird biology and how restoring habitat leads to stronger, more resilient food webs. We learned about the challenges birds face raising a brood, migrating, and hunting for prey with experiential lessons. 

By the end of an MCC program I feel a calm invigoration settle in my bones. This is immersion learning at its finest; diving into the forest or prairie, getting covered in plant material, wading through tall grass, finding deer beds, hearing birds sing above my head from the tops of giant flowers. This is life worth sharing, worth connecting with, worth supporting. Please consider donating to Missouri Conservation Corps.