According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is one of the most destructive invasive species in the St. Louis region. It negatively impacts native plant diversity, forest health, and local wildlife. Incredibly adapted to our region, this invasive species can quickly dominate St. Louis parks, trails, and neighborhoods, negatively impacting human health and recreation when left unchecked. The Open Space Council is proud to support Crestwood and its community by aiding in removing this invasive shrub.
MDC Back To Nature StL Grant
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) works with and for communities to sustain healthy fish, forests, and wildlife. One of the ways it does this is by offering funding for conservation-friendly projects in St. Louis area parks through a unique partnership and funding opportunity: The Back to Nature StL Grant. This grant program supports terrestrial and aquatic habitat improvement in urban area parks, encouraging partnerships for supporting community conservation efforts, native habitat restoration and long-term natural landscape management, and engaging the public through conservation education and volunteer opportunities.
The City of Crestwood was recently awarded a grant through the MDC Back To Nature StL program to conduct various habitat restoration projects at Crestwood Park, including invasive species removal, stream restoration, woodland enhancement, and prairie savanna wetland, and pollinator gardens.
Can’t help ut this time? Check out our event on April 30th at Crestwood Park linked here!