Photo by Bruce Dupree, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
>CALLING ALL THOMAS HART BENTON GROUP PHOTOGRAPHERS<
There is still time to submit your photos.
Running June through September, the Thomas Hart Benton Group is hosting a photography contest!
Online submission of nature-themed photos taken in 2025 will open June 1st and will continue through September. Then, all Thomas Hart Benton Group members will be invited to vote on the winner or winners!
Interested in Joining our local Sierra Club Executive Committee?
Interested in joining the Executive Committee (ExCom)? Annual elections will take place in December to select new members of the Thomas Hart Benton Group's Executive Committee. If you are curious about what this two-year commitment involves, reach out to Jennifer Helber, Nominations Chair, at jthelber@hotmail.com.
In addition, there are openings for people to lead Committees in the THB Group. If you have an interest in Political, Legislative, Energy, Fundraising, Membership, or Volunteer Outreach contact a member of the THB Executive Committee.
In Case You Missed It: Powering Data Centers
In Case You Missed It: On August 20th, the Sierra Club hosted an information session about powering data centers.
There are several data centers proposed in the Kansas City area. This is an emerging issue that will impact energy costs, water resources, and overall cost of living for all of us. Take an hour to watch Data Centers: Power Plays - But Who Pays?
National Park Service 109th Birthday Action Toolkit
Recently at an outings leader meeting, Outings Leader Eileen McManus collected 20 birthday cards to send to the National Park Service for their 109th birthday. Included were messages of appreciation and support for the stewards of our public lands.
The National Sierra Club has furnished a toolkit with helpful talking points to help push back against funding cuts and to collect and share stories that will be delivered to members of Congress in September.
Thanks, Eileen, for supporting and telling us about this important action!
Native Plantings Update
By Jennifer Helber, Conservation Committee Co-Chair
SPECIAL CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
We are working with MoDOT on restoring habitat for monarchs at the Strother exit from northbound I-470. We need a few volunteers before the end of August to help spray herbicide on fescue, with a 30 lb backpack sprayer.
Each volunteer will spray about 5,000 square ft sections; should take about an hour. Long pants, insect repellent advised. Can coordinate time to deliver sprayer to the site.
Contact Jennifer Helber, 816-520-2689
In our continuing project, Monarch Habitat on Strother Road, we have had conversations with Rick Bredesen (MDC, James A Reed) and Brian Schyvinck (Lee's Summit MoDOT), who agree with the advice of Jerod Huebner (Missouri Prairie Foundation) on the necessity of treating the dominant fescue with a grass-specific herbicide in August. This will reduce the seed production that has begun, and provide a better chance for native grasses and forbs to take hold next year.
We've reached out to various volunteers to come help spray sections of the half-acre that was staked out with MoDOT in May. Our 300-square-foot test plot shows that the herbicide is effective in killing fescue while not harming the annual flowers we seeded at the end of May (seen in the photograph).
The seed mixture we are purchasing (thanks to grant money provided by the Eastern Missouri Group of the Missouri Chapter SIerra Club) will be used after a general herbicide treatment and mowing by MoDOT in November. The drill seed machine will be lent for use by MDC. The seeds being sown require an overwinter freeze so that they can germinate in spring. We may have a celebration with the sowing event. We hope to offer small seed packets to those who come and help volunteer.
Next spring, we will closely monitor the area for regrowth of invasive species. This will require volunteers on a monthly basis to maintain the area. We know that the local Audubon group tried a similar project several years ago—in a much larger area—and the planting did not succeed, due to lack of maintenance. So, volunteers are essential! This project will be an example of native habitat for those living in the area, and is also helping MoDOT to work on additional roadside habitat in our region. But, most important: we are helping establish monarch habitat in an area that has seen sprawling development take away trees and flowers needed for the life cycles of pollinators.
Photo: Gianna Calvert helps establish native plantings for Monarch habitat. Photo by Jennifer Helber
Dark Sky Missouri: How Light Pollution and Satellites Impact Dark Skies (In-Person Or Virtual)
Date: Wed., Sep. 10 Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Location: Plaza Library, 4801 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64112
Join DarkSky Missouri for a talk from Bill Wren, who will talk about the threat to ground-based astronomy posed by the growth of light pollution and the increasing numbers of artificial satellites.
For the vast majority of human history, we have enjoyed a view of the heavens unencumbered by outdoor lighting. Since the invention of the electric light a mere 150 years ago, night skies around the world are brightening at an astonishing rate, endangering conventional ground-based astronomical research.
Rapidly increasing numbers of artificial satellites in orbit around the Earth further compound the problem, threatening even the most remote observatories. Options are limited.
The talk will be in the Large Meeting Room at the Plaza Library, with time included after the talk for questions.
Tour National Natural Landmark Onondaga Cave and Cathedral Cave
Date: Saturday., September 13
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Onondaga Cave State Park
Descend into the depths of Onondaga Cave State Park and drop into a world of wonder: towering stalagmites, dripping stalactites, and active flowstones help make the cave a National Natural Landmark and illustrate why Missouri is often called “The Cave State.” We will take two guided tours into this underground wonderland. The 11:30 a.m. tour of Onondaga Cave near the Visitor Center is along a one-mile lighted concrete walkway and lasts 1.5 hours. The 2:00 p.m. afternoon tour of Cathedral Cave near the campground lasts 2 hours. It is not lighted and
the park provides flashlights or you can bring your own. The temperature in both caves is 57 degrees so bring a light jacket and wear sturdy shoes. Also, bring a sack lunch to eat between tours. The cost for both tours is $32 for adults and $29 for seniors which you will pay for at the Visitor Center.
There is a campground that you can stay at Friday and/or Saturday night. Reservations are on your own and not part of the structured activities organized by the Sierra Club. The campground fills fast and leaders have already reserved their basic sites #67 & #68 which are right across from the bathroom. You are welcome to join us for happy hour at our campsite each night for some brief discussion about the National Park Service and Missouri’s State Parks. BYOB.
Virtual Book Club: The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming (October 15)
For our next virtual book club, we return to the harrowing subject of climate change and its frightening effects on our planet. Author David Wallace-Wells argues persuasively that we need to start curbing carbon emissions yesterday–and that was in 2019.
Please watch our Meetup and subsequent newsletters as the October date approaches to sign up and receive the Zoom link.
Upcoming Events Led by Allied Organizations
We often have conversations about the connections between housing and the environment. If you are interested in learning more about how housing relates to the overall health of a city, check out the upcoming event at the Kansas City Public Library's Plaza Branch, "Housing as Economic Development" on Tuesday, September 30th at 6:00 p.m.
Text Alerts - Sign up for mobile text alerts here (By providing your mobile number you consent to receive cell phone and text communications from Sierra Club, the Sierra Club Foundation, Sierra Club PACs and Chapters concerning news, action opportunities, and other important information)
Sometimes events are planned after our e-newsletter goes out.
There is still time to submit your photos.
Recently at an outings leader meeting, Outings Leader Eileen McManus collected 20 birthday cards to send to the National Park Service for their 109th birthday. Included were messages of appreciation and support for the stewards of our public lands. 
