Outdoors

By My Courier-Tribune Some gardeners consider waterlilies to be the ultimate challenge. Many admire them but few grow them, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Though waterlilies may appear exotic and fragile, they are tough and durable, Trinklein said. “Once established, waterlilies flower well into late summer and provide an exotic addition to

By My Courier-Tribune Just like kids heading back to school, August brings many firsts for animals. For most people, spring tends to be the time that people see as baby season in the natural world, but August brings lots of little ones as well, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Copperhead snakes are born

By My Courier-Tribune Pollinator wings can be tiny like on a sweat bee or large like on a luna moth. They can be colorful like a monarch or drab like a fruit fly. Their wings are all fragile however, and so much of life depends on them. Plants and insects form the foundation of the

By My Courier-Tribune While being outside and enjoying nature is usually a fun and relaxing experience, practicing safety measures when visiting one of Missouri’s state parks or historic sites helps keep the day from turning into a disaster with a visit to the emergency room. “Safety of our visitors and team members is our No.

By My Courier-Tribune Spring in Missouri is a time for newness. New flowers are budding, new sprouts are pushing their way through the soil, and newborn animals are learning to make their own way in the world. Wild animal babies are an adorable representation of springtime and produce a happy, excited response from all who

By My Courier-Tribune The Missouri Department of Conservation is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on a multi-year study to better mediate conflicts with black vultures. Landowners, cattle ranchers, birdwatchers and others may contribute to the study by reporting sightings of black vultures marked with tags on their wing. Black vultures play a role

By My Courier-Tribune Edible blooms give flower power to spring meals, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Edible flowers add nutrition, texture and color to your plate, Warmund said. They can be candied, stir-fried, added to butters, steeped for teas and added to breads, soups, sauces, desserts or salads. Some of the culinary

By My Courier-Tribune Sporadic flashing yellow or green lights will soon show up in yards around the state, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Fireflies (also called lightning bugs) are small beetles that use bioluminescence to communicate. The adult beetle’s abdomen blinks a specific pattern that, when combined with specific flight patterns, helps attract

By My Courier-Tribune Whether you are a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals or the Kansas City Royals, you can show your true colors in a baseball-themed garden this summer, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund, in a release from the extension office. “Fortunately, there are several plants with red and white flowers