Chert Glades Volunteers Make a Difference At Joplin Creek

A volunteer challenge going on Nov 1-10th was brought to the Chert Glades Chapter’s attention Thanks to chapter member Scott Butler who was willing to volunteer and help coordinate two separate days, this challenge was successfully completed. The Joplin Creek runs through Joplin from 20th Street north through Murphy Blvd Park, Ewert Park, and follows the railroad tracks and Landreth Park eventually flowing into Turkey Creek. 

Chert Glades Missouri Master Naturalist dug into the trash along Joplin Creek in Landreth Park, filled up a pickup truck in 2.5 hours, and made a difference.

Before

For two consecutive days, the Chert Glades Chapter targeted trash along Joplin Creek in Landreth Park, ultimately collecting a half-ton of discards!

Volunteers sorting through the debris getting the trash.

Collecting trash bags from the pickup.

Volunteers with the results of their hard work. Scott B., Mie A. and Shayla L.

The result after the 2-day clean up. What a difference it made.

Posted on December 2, 2024 and filed under Joplin Creek Clean-up, Stream Team, Murphy Blvd Park-Joplin.

DON’T MIX YOUR LIZARDS!

While lizards may all look alike to you, they are entertaining and helpful to have around. They generally eat insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Recently, we have been warned about the Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis siculus), accidentally introduced into downtown Joplin some years ago. It has become well-established in town, and could compete with and endanger native lizards if it spreads into our rocky Wildcat and Silver Creek Glades.

Residents have been asked to report the location of Italian Wall Lizards inside the city to a research group at Texas A&M*, and to MDC if they see any on the glades. It has recently been placed on the Missouri “Prohibited List” which means you can’t hold them as a pet, even though they may be living in your yard. They also can’t be imported, exported, transported, sold, or purchased.  

Prairie Racerunner

 BUT here is where you need to become “lizard-aware.” There is a native lizard, the Prairie Racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineata viridis), that from a distance, looks similar to the Italian Wall Lizard. Both adult lizards are about 10” long as adults, but while the Prairie Racerunner has 6 or 7 definite, solid stripes, the Italian Wall Lizard has fewer stripes made up of a series of dashes or dots. Both lizards can have a greenish tinge.

Italian Wall Lizards

The Italian Wall Lizard is an urban species, originally from the Mediterranean area, comfortable on rock/brick/stucco walls and building foundations inside cities. They have been seen near City Hall! You may even see them sunning on a sidewalk in North Joplin. It is unlikely that they will ever disappear from Joplin. They have been here since 2000. Since the Italian Wall Lizard is territorial and known to be aggressive towards other lizards, we don’t want them on our glades

The Racerunner is found in open rocky areas, along gravel roads, railroad tracks, and commonly seen in our glades. They are a delight to hikers and part of our rich natural heritage. They are less likely to be seen inside Joplin City limits, but are welcome wherever they venture.

Do not confuse, or be afraid of either of these two lizards! Take a good look at these pictures, or the many you can see online if you look, and be sure you can recognize the difference.

*Take a picture and send it to: brichey@tamu.edu along with the address or GPS where you saw the lizard. If you see one (for sure) but did not photograph, still report with the location/address. Or if you have an iNaturalist account, enter it into the project called “Italian Wall Lizards in the United States”

Italian Wall Lizard

Plants are not the only Invasives in Joplin!!! Check it out!

                                                                Yes! Italian Wall Lizards are in Joplin!

They DON’T belong here!

If they invade our glade habitats, they will eliminate native lizard populations.

Be on the lookout and report any sightings!

Use the QR code to report directly to iNaturalist OR

Email with a photo and GPS location to brichey@tamu.edu.

 ANY GLADE SIGHTINGS SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY TO

(Missouri Department of Conservation).

Flyer below


Posted on August 17, 2024 and filed under iNaturalist, Invasive Lizard.

Leapin' Lizards

Yes! Italian Wall Lizards are in Joplin, and they DON’T belong here! Some Joplin residents know this all too well! The rest of us need to be on the lookout for these invasive lizards. Competition with native lizards and other wildlife would be a major concern if they were to make their way to Wildcat Glades Natural Area or Silver Creek Glade.

Italian Wall Lizard

But where did they come from? Apparently, Italian Wall Lizards (Podarcis siculus) escaped from a collector about 2001 when a feral cat dumped an enclosure set outside to give the lizards some sunshine. Since they are native to the Mediterranean region, the collector thought the winter would kill them…WRONG!

In 2013 a resident in the Murphysburg area of North Joplin contacted the Missouri State Herpetologist, Jeff Briggler, concerning a large number of lizards “infesting” his neighborhood. This was investigated, verified, and surveys have been conducted regularly to mark the spread of the lizard. They are commonly seen in rocky habitats, on walls, sidewalks, or building foundations in urban neighborhoods.

So why am I just hearing about this now? Residents were told to keep this problem quiet to prevent collectors from descending on the area to capture and spread them further. However, recently, this lizard was placed on the State of Missouri Prohibited Species List so they cannot legally be imported, exported, transported, sold, purchased, or possessed alive in Missouri. An article will appear in the Conservationist magazine this December.

What can I do about it? Report them when you see them! A research group from Texas A & M is tracking the range of these lizards and their impact on native species in the U.S. Submit photos to iNaturalist or to their research website (www.walllizards.com). If you see them on Wildcat or Silver Creek glades, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation right away!

Master Naturalist Training “Embrace Your Passion for Nature”

Are you passionate about the outdoors? Do you have a curiosity for the natural world and a desire to positively impact your community? If so, the Master Naturalist program might be just what you’re looking for. The Missouri Master Naturalist Program is a community-based natural resource education and volunteer initiative with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the University of Missouri Extension as partners. Our goal is to cultivate a group of dedicated volunteers in Missouri who are well-informed and eager to promote the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas. Our program brings together adult individuals from diverse backgrounds, all united by a love for nature and a commitment to lifelong learning.

On July 30, 2024, we invite you to join us for an information meeting to learn more about the Master Naturalist program. Discover how you can be part of a vibrant community that enjoys exploring Missouri's habitats, educating the public, gathering field data for citizen science, and working together on hands-on restoration projects, area cleanups, and testing water quality in our beneficial streams. At the meeting, you will be introduced to our training opportunities, hands-on service projects, and the camaraderie that comes with being a Master Naturalist. This is your opportunity to ask questions, meet current members, and find out how you can contribute to our local conservation efforts.

Pre-registration is required to attend. Click here to learn more and register:

Master Naturalist Information Meeting Registration

We hope you don’t miss this opportunity to turn your passion for nature into action. We look forward to seeing you there and embarking on this rewarding journey together!

What our members say…

“ The Chert Glades Master Naturalist chapter is a fantastic group for anyone with a passion for the natural world. The interests and expertise held by different members are so vast and diverse that you can get answers to questions you didn't even know you had. It is the kind of community that can make you grow as a naturalist, a community organizer, an educator, and a part of the environment."

Emily B. 

Class of 2022

 

"Hard to limit it to just a few lines, being part of a group with similar interests is always rewarding. Learning from others with varied skills and backgrounds makes projects rewarding." 

Jill F.

Class of 2005

"I would recommend the Missouri Master Naturalist program to anyone willing to learn how we can make a positive impact on our environment.  My goal is to learn as much as possible about nature so that I can inspire my children and grandchildren to take care of Mother Earth.  The MMN program in my opinion is one of the most important volunteer opportunities in our community." 

Patrick C.

Class of 2022

"If you’re passionate about nature, Missouri Master Naturalist can help find your people! Becoming a naturalist is a journey that lasts a lifetime. There is always something new to learn, understand, and share."

Val F.

Class of 2005

“When I first read about an upcoming training class, I knew immediately that I would love it. Ten years later I still love it.”

 Bonnie H.

Class of 2014

“I always thought I had a good understanding of the principles of conservation and nature. However, after joining the Missouri Master Naturalist Program, I have developed a new understanding of the essential need for native plants and trees to the ecology. I have also learned the importance of involving our community, an effort requires all of us for success in restoring our natural world.” 

 Cynthia N.

Class of 2020

“I thought I knew a lot about plants, animals, birds, and nature in general until I went through the core training in 2007.  There is not a day since I graduated from the training that I haven’t learned something new.  You get out of the program what you put into it.  The Chert Glade Chapter is a very active group with volunteering, working, and educating the general public & one another with a wide variety of topics.”

 Karen G.

Class of 2007

Posted on June 30, 2024 and filed under EDUCATION, TRAINING.

Missouri's Native Champions

G.O.A.T. stands for 'Greatest of All Time,' as in the ultimate champs. In Missouri, this means superstar plants that do wonders for nature…native plants that birds, bees, and butterflies depend on to thrive.

 

If you're a gardener curious about these amazing plants, swing by the 'Goats in the Garden' event at Empire Market on March 9th. The Missouri Master Naturalist, Chert Glades Chapter, will be there to reveal Top 10 picks for different interests and garden situations. 

 

Do you want to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden? Are you trying to save water, or do you have a problem with too much water? Is your yard all sun or all shade? Are you trying to connect children to nature, or do you just want things to look pretty? 

 

Drop by our table and discover which plants might fit your needs in the very best way.  Let's level up Missouri's green game, one awesome plant at a time!     

 

Look for us on March 9, 2024 from 10:00 - 2:00

Empire Market

998 E 3rd St, Joplin, MO 64801

Posted on March 1, 2024 and filed under EDUCATION, Gardens, shrubs.

The Wonders of a Wetland

Celebrate World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2nd! Wetlands are one of nature’s most fascinating ecosystems.  They are distinctive habitats full of hidden treasures ready to be discovered. Wetlands are important enough to have their holiday.