FARMINGTON – The Ste. Genevieve Levee Wildlife Refuge will be the topic presented Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the East Ozarks Audubon Society meeting at the public library in Farmington at 7:00pm.
Have you ever enjoyed a hike to the Mississippi River from the Ste. Genevieve Levee Wildlife Refuge parking lot yet? Come to this meeting of the East Ozarks Audubon Society to find out more about this property.
The Mississippi River is one of this nation’s most beloved yet most beleaguered rivers in the world. Millions of people turn to this great river for business pursuits, for recreation, and because of its beauty and central importance as a major flyway for countless birds and a home for fish and other wildlife. Yet this critical corridor is being degraded by water contamination, destruction of wetlands, and by escalating flood damage.
At the East Ozarks Audubon January meeting, the Ste. Genevieve Tourism Wildlife Refuge Task Force will give a presentation on the history and development of the Ste. Genevieve Levee Wildlife Refuge dedicated in 2021.
In addition, environmentalist John Karel and Ste. Genevieve community advocate Mary Elise Okenfuss have been promoting the inclusion of the Ste. Genevieve Levee Wildlife Refuge in the Mid-Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge.
The entire long stretch of Mississippi from St. Louis to south of Cape Girardeau is a special area of river unchecked by the lock and dam system. Bob Mueller, a respected local historian, has gathered a number of interesting images that will help illustrate the talk. They will discuss what has been accomplished in acquiring and improving property to date, how the refuge is currently being utilized, its future inclusion in the Mid-Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge and the latest info about the status of the Refuge.
A discussion will follow on potential ways the Eastern Ozarks Audubon Society and Ste. Genevieve can work together to promote and utilize the refuge. Your input is encouraged.
The program is free and open to the public and will take place in the Farmington Public Library, 101 N A St, Farmington.
It will begin with social and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m.