Our chapter is based in Columbia and the surrounding area.
Contact info: [email protected]
Meetings are held sporadically, and you can learn about them and our other events by signing up for our email updates at [email protected]
We host tours in native gardens and natural areas such as prairies, as tools for learning about and caring for our world.
We also care for native plantings at several sites in the area as native plant demonstration areas. Work days at these sites are great learning opportunities for volunteers, and we welcome your participation.
Our sites include:
Capen Park Compost Demonstration Area native garden and rain garden
Forum Nature Area native beds at the end of the parking lot
Epple Field native planting area
We are also Partnering with Columbia Parks and Rec. and Missouri Master Naturalists to help maintain a 2 acre prairie planting oval and a small glade planting in the north end of Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary. At present we are mostly controlling invasive species and adding seeds for more diversity throughout the area.
We are also Partnering with Missouri Master Naturalist and the Hawthorn Chapter of the Native Plant Sociey to help care for a large native planting at the Columbia Early Learning Center North (CELN) in their Nature Explore outdoor play area. When possible, we involve the preschool students in helping care for this area with weeding, mulching, etc. (regular work parties will continue on Wednesday mornings in 2024, with the time changing as the season warms).
And we partner with several elementary schools in their pollinator gardens, woodlands, and prairie plantings, caring for these areas and involving students when possible.
If you have questions or want to get involved in caring for any of these areas, you may contact Lea at [email protected] or 573-864-7647, or just show up at one of our scheduled work days.