Watershed Center of the Ozarks

We are hiring Conservation Technicians!

Do you know someone interested in working with the National Park Service to restore and maintain our historic lands?

Please send them our way!

You can find more information here.

***If you haven’t already seen the new Watershed Center shirts, check them out and place your order soon!  Pre-sale orders end Monday 4/15!   https://illuminecollect.com/collections/watershed
 

James River Basin Partnership

Click to read the 2023 Annual Report

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2024 JRBP EARTH DAY CLEANUP REGISTRATION. STILL HAS OPENINGS!!

Celebrate Earth Day by making an impact on our beloved James River and Lake Springfield. Join us for our annual cleanup on Monday, April 22, 2024, from 1:00-5:00 pm.

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The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave, Springfield

Alps Pharmacy 2560 W Kearny, Springfield

Cox Health
Mercy

UMKC School of Pharmacy, MSU downtown 

Greene County Sheriff's Office, 5100 W Division St. Springfield

Community Partnership, 330 N. Jefferson Ave., Springfield

Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, 2400 E Valley Watermill Rd, Springfield

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Children and Nature Network

Annual Report
Finding Nature News

 

Springfield Community Resource Guide

 

EPA

Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes First-Ever National Drinking Water Standard to Protect 100M People from PFAS Pollution

As part of the Administration’s commitment to combating PFAS pollution, EPA announces $1B investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to address PFAS in drinking water

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 - 11201 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

Contact Information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

 

LENEXA, KAN. (APRIL 10, 2024) – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’ Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children. This final rule represents the most significant step to protect public health under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses. Today’s announcement complements President Biden’s government-wide action plan to combat PFAS pollution.                                    

Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is also making unprecedented funding available to help ensure that all people have clean and safe water. In addition to today’s final rule, EPA is announcing nearly $1 billion in newly available funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. This is part of a $9 billion investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants – the largest-ever investment in tackling PFAS pollution. An additional $12 billion is available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for general drinking water improvements, including addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS.

 

EPA Administrator Michael Regan will join White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory to announce the final standard today at an event in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 2017, area residents learned that the Cape Fear River, the drinking water source for 1 million people in the region, had been heavily contaminated with PFAS pollution from a nearby manufacturing facility. Today’s announcements will help protect communities like Fayetteville from further devastating impacts of PFAS.

“Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That is why President Biden has made tackling PFAS a top priority, investing historic resources to address these harmful chemicals and protect communities nationwide. Our PFAS Strategic Roadmap marshals the full breadth of EPA’s authority and resources to protect people from these harmful forever chemicals. Today, I am proud to finalize this critical piece of our Roadmap, and in doing so, save thousands of lives and help ensure our children grow up healthier.”  

“President Biden believes that everyone deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, and he is delivering on that promise,” said Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “The first national drinking water standards for PFAS marks a significant step towards delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing environmental justice, protecting communities, and securing clean water for people across the country.”

“Under President Biden’s leadership, we are taking a whole-of-government approach to tackle PFAS pollution and ensure that all Americans have access to clean, safe drinking water. Today’s announcement by EPA complements these efforts and will help keep our communities safe from these toxic ‘forever chemicals,’” said Deputy Assistant to the President for the Cancer Moonshot, Dr. Danielle Carnival. “Coupled with the additional $1 billion investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help communities address PFAS pollution, the reductions in exposure to toxic substances delivered by EPA’s standards will further the Biden Cancer Moonshot goal of reducing the cancer death rate by at least half by 2047 and preventing more than four million cancer deaths — and stopping cancer before it starts by protecting communities from known risks associated with exposure to PFAS and other contaminants, including kidney and testicular cancers, and more.”

 

EPA is taking a signature step to protect public health by establishing legally enforceable levels for several PFAS known to occur individually and as mixtures in drinking water. This rule sets limits for five individual PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (also known as “GenX Chemicals”). The rule also sets a limit for mixtures of any two or more of four PFAS: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and “GenX chemicals.” By reducing exposure to PFAS, this final rule will prevent thousands of premature deaths, tens of thousands of serious illnesses, including certain cancers and liver and heart impacts in adults, and immune and developmental impacts to infants and children.

This final rule advances President Biden’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it as part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot, to ensuring that all Americans have access to clean, safe, drinking water, and to furthering the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice by protecting communities that are most exposed to toxic chemicals.

EPA estimates that between about 6% and 10% of the 66,000 public drinking water systems subject to this rule may have to take action to reduce PFAS to meet these new standards. All public water systems have three years to complete their initial monitoring for these chemicals. They must inform the public of the level of PFAS measured in their drinking water. Where PFAS is found at levels that exceed these standards, systems must implement solutions to reduce PFAS in their drinking water within five years.

 

The new limits in this rule are achievable using a range of available technologies and approaches including granular activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange systems. For example, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, serving Wilmington, NC – one of the communities most heavily impacted by PFAS contamination – has effectively deployed a granular activated carbon system to remove PFAS regulated by this rule. Drinking water systems will have flexibility to determine the best solution for their community.

EPA will be working closely with state co-regulators in supporting water systems and local officials to implement this rule. In the coming weeks, EPA will host a series of webinars to provide information to the public, communities, and water utilities about the final PFAS drinking water regulation. To learn more about the webinars, please visit EPA’s PFAS drinking water regulation webpage. EPA has also published a toolkit of communications resources to help drinking water systems and community leaders educate the public about PFAS, where they come from, their health risks, how to reduce exposure, and about this rule.

 

“We are thankful that Administrator Regan and the Biden Administration are taking this action to protect drinking water in North Carolina and across the country,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “We asked for this because we know science-based standards for PFAS and other compounds are desperately needed.”

 

“For decades, the American people have been exposed to the family of incredibly toxic ‘forever chemicals’ known as PFAS with no protection from their government. Those chemicals now contaminate virtually all Americans from birth. That’s because for generations, PFAS chemicals slid off of every federal environmental law like a fried egg off a Teflon pan — until Joe Biden came along,” said Environmental Working Group President and Co-Founder Ken Cook. “We commend EPA Administrator Michael Regan for his tireless leadership to make this decision a reality, and CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory for making sure PFAS is tackled with the ‘whole of government’ approach President Biden promised. There is much work yet to be done to end PFAS pollution. The fact that the EPA has adopted the very strong policy announced today should give everyone confidence that the Biden administration will stay the course and keep the president’s promises, until the American people are protected, at long last, from the scourge of PFAS pollution.”

 

“We learned about GenX and other PFAS in our tap water six years ago. I raised my children on this water and watched loved ones suffer from rare or recurrent cancers. No one should ever worry if their tap water will make them sick or give them cancer. I’m grateful the Biden EPA heard our pleas and kept its promise to the American people. We will keep fighting until all exposures to PFAS end and the chemical companies responsible for business-related human rights abuses are held fully accountable,” said Emily Donovan, co-founder of Clean Cape Fear.

 

More details about funding to address PFAS in drinking water

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is making an unprecedented $21 billion available to strengthen our nation’s drinking water systems, including by addressing PFAS contamination. Of that, $9 billion is specifically for tackling PFAS and emerging contaminants. The financing programs delivering this funding are part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that have been historically marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

Additionally, EPA has a nationwide Water Technical Assistance program to help small, rural, and disadvantaged communities access federal resources by working directly with water systems to identify challenges like PFAS; develop plans; build technical, managerial, and financial capacity; and apply for water infrastructure funding. Learn more about EPA’s Water Technical Assistance programs.

 

More details about the final PFAS drinking water standards

• For PFOA and PFOS, EPA is setting a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a non-enforceable health-based goal, at zero. This reflects the latest science showing that there is no level of exposure to these contaminants without risk of health impacts, including certain cancers.

• EPA is setting enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels at 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, individually. This standard will reduce exposure from these PFAS in our drinking water to the lowest levels that are feasible for effective implementation.

• For PFNA, PFHxS, and “GenX Chemicals,” EPA is setting the MCLGs and MCLs at 10 parts per trillion.

• Because PFAS can often be found together in mixtures, and research shows these mixtures may have combined health impacts, EPA is also setting a limit for any mixture of two or more of the following PFAS: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and “GenX Chemicals.”

 

EPA is issuing this rule after reviewing extensive research and science on how PFAS affects public health, while engaging with the water sector and with state regulators to ensure effective implementation. EPA also considered 120,000 comments on the proposed rule from a wide variety of stakeholders.

Background

 

PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are prevalent in the environment. PFAS are a category of chemicals used since the 1940s to repel oil and water and resist heat, which makes them useful in everyday products such as nonstick cookware, stain resistant clothing, and firefighting foam. The science is clear that exposure to certain PFAS over a long period of time can cause cancer and other illnesses.  In addition, PFAS exposure during critical life stages such as pregnancy or early childhood can also result in adverse health impacts.

Across the country, PFAS contamination is impacting millions of people’s health and wellbeing. People can be exposed to PFAS through drinking water or food contaminated with PFAS, by coming into contact with products that contain PFAS, or through workplace exposures in certain industries.

 

Since EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the PFAS Strategic Roadmap in October 2021, EPA has taken action – within the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach – by advancing science and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. The actions described in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap each represent important and meaningful steps to protect communities from PFAS contamination. Cumulatively, these actions will build upon one another and lead to more enduring and protective solutions. In December 2023, the EPA released its second annual report on PFAS progress. The report highlights significant accomplishments achieved under the EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

 

Native Plant Sales  Click HERE to go to a dedicated page for native plant sales, 2024

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Grow Native! professional member Gaylena’s Garden will sell native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and more.

Web link

Springfield, MO (March 25, 2024)—The Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) and host Bass Pro Shops® will hold a native plant sale on Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1 Bass Pro Dr, Springfield, Missouri.

Native plants beautify landscapes and help support songbirds and other cherished wildlife. Buy native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and more from Grow Native! professional member Gaylena’s Garden.

“Choosing native plants for home landscaping is one of the best actions homeowners can take to support nature’s web of life and add beauty to their yards or property,” said Carol Davit, MPF Executive Director.

Gaylena’s Garden accepts cash, checks, and Venmo, so please plan accordingly. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own crates or boxes for transporting their purchased plants home. Shoppers can also pre-order plants and have their orders ready for pick up at the event. Email gaylenasgarden@gmail.com for a plant list and to pre-order by April 25. Note that you are ordering plants for the April 27 sale in Springfield.

 

Dish to Dirt Program

Read to find out how to subscribe and see what events are coming up.  Learn about composting, free workshops and more! Click HERE.

The Ozarks Clean Air Alliance (OCAA)  Go HERE to find out more. and the Clean Air Action Plan

 

White River Sierra Club

 

Temperate grasslands and prairies in the Midwest are among the most endangered

ecosystems on the planet. The White River Group of the Sierra Club is hosting Brian

Edmond, a member and volunteer with the Missouri Prairie Foundation, to talk about

these lands and the plants and animals that live there.

 

This important program is being held on Weds, April 17th from 6:30 to 8 in the

Community Room of the Schweitzer-Brentwood Branch Library , 2214 S. Brentwood

Blvd. in Springfield. The program is free and open to the public.

The Missouri Prairie Foundation protects over 3,700 acres in Missouri. Come hear

about this amazing organization and the good work it does in our state.

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The Schoolcraft Ozarks Society

The Schoolcraft Chapter of the Ozark Society presents "Nature's Best Hope," a presentation by Doug Tallamy, best-selling author of Bringing Nature Home and The Nature of Oaks on Saturday, May 18, at 2 PM at the Darr Agricultural Center, 2401 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield, MO. The City of Springfield's Environmental Services will also be presenting on their Yard Ethic program. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Ozark Society members can attend free. A native plant sale will also be held the same day at the Darr Center from 8 AM to noon (while supplies last).

To register for the event, click here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/natures-best-hope-featuring-doug-tallamy-tickets-846457706787

To become an Ozark Society member, click here: https://www.ozarksociety.net/membership/

See Flyer here

Planet Unity Recycling Event, April 13, 9-12. Unity of Springfield is once again hosting a community-wide recycling event. You're invited to bring your old or unwanted paper, electronics and metal and we will recycle it for you. The paper shred truck charges $5 per box and the metal and electronics recycling is free. We will be accepting monetary donations.

 

 

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Dark Sky Missouri (Click here for more information)

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Missouri Institute of Natural Science

We are looking for a part-time Museum Assistant to help with administrative tasks. Below is a job description. Let me know if you have any questions - Samantha Forir (MINS Board Member) Go to for more details:  https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=829612045838643&id=100063695647578&mibextid=qC1gEa

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Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA)

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Missouri Recycles (MORA)  

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Check out what can be recycled at Staples. https://www.staples.com/stores/recycling

 

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Department of Natural Resources will host four free pesticide pickups in 2024

 The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will offer four free waste pesticide collection events in 2024. All of the events will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and are open to all Missouri farmers and households.​​

• Sept. 7 – Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center, 14548 State Road H in Mount Vernon.

• Oct. 5 – 901 S. Main St. in Carrollton.

Accepted (Limited to 8,000 lbs. total product weight):

• Herbicides.

• Insecticides.

• Fungicides.

• Rodenticides.

• De-wormers.

• Fly tags.

• Fertilizers containing pesticide.

Not Accepted:

• Pesticide rinsate: For rinsate management information, visit mo.gov/document-search/pesticide-rinsate-management-pub2870/pub2870.

• Paint, explosives.

• Fire extinguishers.

• Yard waste.

• Electronics.

• Trash.

• Pesticides from businesses, pesticide-production facilities, pesticide distributors, pesticide retailers or similar entities.

Register for one of the collection events at pesticidecollectionregistration@dnr.mo.gov. More information about the Missouri Pesticide Collection Program is available online at dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/what-were-doing/events-collections-trainings/missouri-pesticide-collection-program.

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Department of Natural Resources offers funding to improve water quality

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The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has funding available for projects that will protect Missouri’s waters from pollution caused by stormwater runoff, also known as nonpoint source pollution. Responses to a new Request for Proposals for this federal grant funding are due by
May 1, 2024. An information session to learn more about this funding opportunity will be held
April 2, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. virtually via Webex.         

To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must implement pollutant-reducing land management practices from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and department-accepted
watershed-based plan. Watersheds with active watershed-based plans include: Black Creek (Shelby County), Deer Creek (St. Louis County), Spring River, James River, Keifer Creek, Perry County Karst, Town Branch-Piper Creek, upper Little Sac River, Greater Bonne Femme, and North and Middle Fabius rivers. Local governments, state agencies, educational institutions and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for the grant funding. Research, land purchase and NPDES permit requirements are not eligible.

Grant awards can range from $50,000 to $400,000 and projects can span up to three years. Authorized by Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act, the grant funding is provided by EPA and administered by the department.  

Nonpoint source pollution occurs when excess surface runoff from rainfall or snowmelt carries pollutants, such as chemicals, bacteria, sediment and debris, into nearby waters. Nonpoint source pollution is the greatest threat to water quality in Missouri and the nation. Controlling this type of pollution is particularly challenging. Because stormwater runoff travels across the landscape collecting pollutants, it is difficult to pinpoint and address their specific sources.

To respond to the Request for Proposals, visit dnr.mo.gov/water/what-were-doing/nonpoint-source-pollution-section-319/subgrants. For more information about the application process or about watershed-based plans, contact the department’s Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program at 573-751-5723 or 800-361-4827, or by email at MoDNR.NPSprogram@dnr.mo.gov.

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Earth Day Festival Springfield, MO  

𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

We are excited for a unique and diverse day of music!

Be sure to snag those tix at https://www.earthdayspringfieldmo.org/ and remember ALL PROCEEDS of your ticket purchase go to local environmental organizations!

Schedule of Events

 

EPA

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There are upcoming webinars on climate and energy topics offered by federal agencies and others. All webinars are free of charge, but space may be limited or require registration in advance. Let us know if you have upcoming webinars you would like us to include in future newsletters. Our previous webinars can be found here.

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Federal Webinars

The following webinars are being offered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies this month.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) webinars  

 

Portfolio Manager. ENERGY STAR offers several webinars on Portfolio Manager every month. These webinars explain how to navigate different parts of Portfolio Manager, from basics to advanced features.

Find dates and register

 

Portfolio Manager – Ask the Expert. Every other Wednesday at noon, ENERGY STAR holds Portfolio Manager "Ask the Expert" webinars that give users an opportunity to ask their questions directly to EPA experts in an open forum. Want to talk to a “real” person? Have a question about how Portfolio Manager calculates your score? Want to learn more about switching to Green Power? Join this public forum to ask your Portfolio Manager questions.

Register

 

Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) Energy Code Webinar Series

Join the DOE Building Energy Codes Program for the 2023-2024 Energy Code Webinar Series! This monthly webinar series, regularly scheduled for the third Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. (Eastern), will provide an opportunity to learn, discuss, and engage on timely and important energy code topics throughout the year. Each monthly webinar will be presented across a range of engaging formats, from topic-based lectures to expert panels and interactive discussions. 

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Ozark Soul

Ozark Riverways Foundation
Ozarks Greenways

Missouri Department of Conservation  

 

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