The October talk, which is tonight, October 14, is about the Hazards of Spent Lead Ammunition to Wildlife and Humans, and presented by John Weber of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Environmental Contaminants Specialist John Weber will share the science behind new regulations limiting the use of lead based ammunition and the history of lead’s effects on wildlife. Background: Last year, Roger Giles—who spends a lot of his time on the Missouri River—rescued a struggling bald eagle right out of the river on the banks of Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area. The bird was first suspected of suffering from lead poisoning. Testing showed that was not the case, but the event did reveal to many of us the fact that lead poisoning is a very common cause of sick and injured eagles. Raptor Rehabilitation Project officer Christa Moore said at the time, “They get it through the food they eat, lead shot,” she said. “They will pick up a lot of lead in their system which is toxic to them in high quantities.” Here’s the article (with great video on Roger’s boat) from KOMU-TV. Recent research is revealing surprising levels of contamination in people and wildlife, especially birds, due to exposure or ingestion of lead shot or bullet fragments used in hunting and lead sinkers used for fishing. But there are alternatives out there that work and new regulations are working to reduce lead contamination from recreational activities. John Weber, environmental contaminants specialist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Columbia Ecological Services lab, will describe the fate of lead (Pb) based ammunition in the environment and its potentially toxic impacts to wildlife and humans following ingestion. John will address the scope and history of the problem as well as progress that has been made limiting Pb in the environment. Additionally, John will discuss effective alternatives to Pb-containing ammunition readily available in the local marketplace. Directions and more details here.
The October talk (tonight) will be at the regular location: lower level of Les Bourgeois Vineyards Bistro, 14020 W Hwy BB, Rocheport Missouri. Both the November and December talks will have a special time and location: 6 pm at Ragtag Cinema, 10 Hitt St, Columbia, Missouri. Check the calendar in January 2015, as the talks should resume at the regular Rocheport location.
Upcoming presentations:
Bag It—Is your life too plastic?
Tue, Nov 11, 2014, 6 pm, Ragtag Cinema
Community leaders at Sierra Club/Osage Group and Missouri River Relief are hosting a screening of the award-winning environmental documentary Bag It (2011)] [NR] [1:19].
The movie follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he tries to make sense of our dependence on plastic bags. Although his quest starts out small, Jeb soon learns that the problem extends past landfills to oceans, rivers and ultimately human health. The average American uses about 500 plastic bags each year, for about twelve minutes each. This single-use mentality has led to the formation of a floating island of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean more than twice the size of Texas. The film explores these issues and identifies how our daily reliance on plastic threatens not only waterways and marine life, but human health, too. Two of the most common plastic additives are endocrine disruptors, which have been shown to link to cancer, diabetes, autism, attention deficit disorder, obesity and infertility. The screening at RagTag Cinema is part of a local charge to pass an ordinance limiting the use of single-use plastic bags. Many cities including Washington DC, Chicago, and now the whole state of California, as well as Ireland, Italy and China have already implemented similar policies to curb their plastic use.
Big Muddy Moose—The Missouri River on a Stand Up Paddleboard
Tue, Dec 9, 2014, 6 pm, Ragtag Cinema
Film screening by Missouri River Relief: Scott Mestrezat filmed his entire journey as the first stand up paddleboarder to travel the entire Missouri River. We will be one of the first audiences to see the final result—this inspiring and beautiful film of an amazing river trip. In 2013, Scott quit his job, built a wooden stand up paddleboard, and then paddled the entire Missouri River. From Three Forks, Montana, through the string of massive lakes, then down to the Confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi River, Scott finished his journey below the St. Louis Arch. It is hoped that Scott can join the event via Skype. Optional $8 donation.
