Getting Into Nature

Fall 2008 has finally brought some good news for local & national nature lovers and environmentalists. So which of the following events has you the happiest?

• Withdrawal of the planned Wal-Mart for Creve Coeur Lake flood plain.

• Passage of Prop C to promote renewable energy in Missouri.

• Election of pro-environment candidates to the Mo. Legislature.

• End of the reign of Anti-Environment Bush Administration in U.S.

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State voters should vote YES on Proposition C on Nov. 4. Known as the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative, the measure would require electricity providers in the state to move away from fossil fuels to renewable resources for power generation.

Proposition C would require at least 2 percent of electricity to be generated by investor-owned utilities from sources such as wind, solar, biomass and hydro-power by 2011. That mandate would increase to at least 15 percent by 2021.

Energy initiative supporters contend the Nov. 4 ballot measure will help break foreign oil dependency by the United States and slow the current economic crisis. There are virtually no opponents - no organized opposition - to this proposal. Ten years ago, that would have been unthinkable. The Rush Limbaugh crowd would have been crying out about unrealistic mandates by government. They would have denounced advocates as tree- huggers and environmental whackos.

Pity the fact that this Initiative should have been taken up 30 years ago nationwide. That was at the time of the first energy crisis and the first oil squeeze by the Middle East oil cartel.

Imagine where we would be with no fossil fuel dependency now. No war. No economic crisis. Far less air pollution. Far less climate change and erratic, destructive weather. And the polar bears might not be struggling for a piece of ice to stand upon!

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BULLETIN: CREVE COEUR NATURE LOSS

Despite the recent inundation of the flood plain adjacent to Creve Coeur Park by the torrential rains of Hurricane Ike, local officials continue to pursue the development of the area. They want a Wal-Mart, a strip mall, parking lots and big box stores. Chesterfield Strip Mall Redux (see archives)

Flooding in Creve Coeur Lake's Boathouse

The Maryland Heights Planning & Zoning Commission recently changed the zoning of the area known as Howard Bend Flood Zone to Mixed Use in an effort to pave the way for developers, and to pave over plants and animals and the outdoor recreation area. It is time to start naming names in this controversy. The boaters, hikers, rowers, runners, in-line skaters and birders have had enough of the urge to desecrate one of the last remaining wetland areas in Missouri.

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BULLETIN: REPUBLICAN GREENS MIFFED

The selection of Sarah Palin as the vice presidential candidate on the McCain ticket has some Republican Greens turning Red - maybe even Blue. Palin has an atrocious record on the environment and has actually encouraged the savage slaughter of wildlife in Alaska. Roy Gerdel, who was honored on the Into-Nature Site as a Nature Nurturer of the Week (see archive) was re-elected to the Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) Board in July. He recently resigned.

According to Gerdel, it‘s the selection of Sarah Palin that was the final straw that caused him “great consternation as to whether John McCain will be a champion for the environment.” Palin is no friend of the environment or of the bounty of nature, both plants and animals.

BULLETIN: FIGHT TO KEEP HIDDEN VALLEY OPEN

While some environmentalists take a dim view of ski resorts, the St. Louis winter recreation area known as Hidden Valley is credited as eco-friendly. Nevertheless, Wildwood officials have declared war on Hidden Valley and the land may succumb to development after this ski season.

It’s not just skiers and employees of Hidden Valley that will lose if the hilly, wooded area west of Highway 109 gets parceled for development. Hidden Valley has introduced thousands of school kids to the wonders of the outdoors in winter. Hidden Valley has provided a one-of-a-kind experience with its ski program for the disabled. Hidden Valley has joined Forest Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden with a program to provide refuge for declining bird species such as the Purple Martins.

Hidden Valley is an outdoor location that is incomparable on a moonlit night after freshly-fallen snow, although it is adept at making snow when nature falls short. It is one of the features that makes St. Louis tolerable during the long winter months. If you are outraged by the actions of the Wildwood officials and the prospect of losing this valuable outdoor asset for St. Louis, then visit  www.savehv.com to learn how you can help.

Comments are encouraged. Thank you.