Conservation

Destination Discovery will feature a wildlife overlook, underground prairie dog cities, freshwater wilderness, water play area, flamingo habitat, network of tree houses connected by overhead tunnels, walkthrough aviary and several species of animals.

There are hundreds of volunteers who are already helping the Mark Twain National Forest, and there could be more out there. The forest service is looking to find them and better coordinate their efforts.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has started a new project to see how bald eagles in northwestern Missouri interact with wind turbines. Conservationists and wind energy advocates are both hoping that the results will advance both bird conservation and renewable energy goals.

Nearly 100 Antilles pinktoe tarantulas are the newest addition at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Butterfly House in Chesterfield.

Jordan Teisher and Matthew Albrecht are leading efforts at the Missouri Botanical Garden to bring back plants that have been extinct in the wild for more than 100 years.

Critically endangered elephants in the Congo Basin play a key role in creating forests, which in turn, store carbon and maintain the biodiversity of African rainforests.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is implementing a new strategy to focus on conservation efforts around the globe. Garden scientists say a large part of the research will go into improving forest ecosystems threatened by climate change.

Missouri conservationists have reached an important milestone in their effort to save hellbender salamanders. In August, the number released into the wild topped 10,000. Scientists say it’s an important moment for the endangered species.

The zoo plans a $230 million, 425-acre park in Spanish Lake where the animals can roam free in natural habitats.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed Mead’s milkweed as a threatened species in 1988. Researchers at the Missouri Botanical Garden have discovered that saving the species is much simpler than previously thought.