Programming
There is a strong body of research confirming that interaction with nature reduces stress, increases a sense of coherence and belonging, improves self-confidence and fosters a broader sense of community.

Under the umbrella of Operation Backyard Recovery, programs will not only provide high quality environmental activities, but will also integrate art therapy, nature journaling, volunteerism opportunities, and other learning activities to help the community of Joplin connect with nature, while educating and inspiring them to become more deeply engaged in stewardship. The opportunity is great, the need is urgent.

Wildcat Glades is reaching out to numerous local community organizations to offer additional summer camps and environmental education programs free of charge to those affected by the tornado. Partners in the healing process include the Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Haven, Turnaround Ranch, Joplin Family Y, area day care centers, and summer schools.

In addition, Wildcat Glades Center is offering ALL of their Saturday programming free through September to those affected by the tornado. Based on funding available, we will offer these free as long as possible. One of the programs we are offering on Saturday mornings is the Nature Club. It is designed for youth to participate in hands-on environmental education programs while their parents and guardians work to restore their homes or are volunteering in clean-up efforts. This serves an urgent need as areas affected by the storm are hazardous and pose serious health and safety risks for children who may be injured handling debris.

One of the activities we will offer during our programs will bridge the short-term with the long-term: building bird houses. Children and families will build hundreds of birdhouses for placement throughout the tornado impacted areas. In addition to engaging children and families in this endeavor, the project will also serve to engage schools, civic organizations and other groups across the region and provide a nature-based activity that fosters a sense of service and rebuilding of our community’s backyard landscape.

Houses for Birds Program
This component of Operation Backyard Recovery will focus on birdhouses that can be built by children and families and erected in the tornado impacted areas. Emphasis will be placed on house designs for cavity nesting and roosting birds such as woodpeckers, titmice and chickadees, all of which are permanent residents in Missouri.

Using basic designs available through the Audubon at Home program, Wildcat Glades will work with local Audubon chapters and community groups in the four state area to host a series of “Birdhouse Clinics” where children and families can build their own houses and learn about proper placement at their home.

Plant Native Trees and Shrubs Program
Thousands of trees, shrubs, and plantings were lost, and many thousands more damaged across the community. Along with them, the homes and habitats for birds and other wildlife that depend on these important places were lost. It is estimated over 80,000 trees where damaged or destroyed. We often take for granted the value of our urban trees and landscapes for shading and cooling, windbreaks, aesthetic enjoyment, and the wildlife value that many animals receive from living and dead portions of trees. Wildlife use trees, shrubs and native plants as roosting or nesting sites, cover and sources of food, such as seeds, fruit, and insects.

For those urban birds that over winter in Missouri; birds like cardinals, bluebirds, juncos, bluejays, and others, the loss of their roosting, cover, and feeding sites may affect their very survivability this winter and in years to come. For many others that return each spring from southern reaches to breed and feed here; birds like summer tanagers, Mississippi kites, and Swainson’s thrush, the loss of nesting sites and feeding areas will be obvious. As massive areas start the reconstruction, the importance of replacing these trees and habitats across the community is vital and the opportunity to utilize native plant material is great.

Wildcat Glades, working with Audubon Chapters, the National Audubon Society, and a number of other partners in the southwest Missouri region is positioned well for the challenge of promoting the planting of native trees, shrubs, and gardens to replace those lost during the storm and encouraging homeowners to restore their yards with bird- and wildlife-friendly plant species. The Center will purchase and distribute trees and native plants to residents who were impacted by the tornado and hold local workshops that promote and explain the benefits of using native plants in community and residential landscapes, and the benefit of rain gardens, erosion and water quality, and other efforts that promote healthy and ecologically beneficial backyards.

The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center has long partnered with the Joplin region and stands at the ready to help the city—it will take a massive effort to restore this community for people and other wildlife. Please consider joining us and donating to help children and families in the Joplin community cope with this crisis and to help us make our community even more beautiful.