Butterflies and Beetles Share the Willows at Cardinal Valley

This season at Webb City’s Cardinal Valley, willows are buzzing with life! Butterflies and beetles gather to sip the sweet willow sap, a simple reminder of how connected all creatures are when habitats stay healthy.

#CardinalValley

September is Bird Migration Month! Help our feathered friends reach their winter homes safely—turn off your lights at night. learn more @ lightsoutheartland.org #LightsOut #BirdMigration

Big wings, big news!
We spotted mating Cecropia Moths in Cardinal Valley! The largest native moth in North America. This beautiful moth isn’t just rare — it’s a sign that a diverse and healthy habitat is returning! Reduce light pollution and pesticides- plant natives.

Let's keep up the good work!

Spring Awakening at Cardinal Valley has brought a special surprise—migratory sandpipers have returned! These graceful travelers remind us that renewal is in the air and that nature’s rhythm never stops. #SpringMigration #BirdWatching #CardinalValley #GreaterYellowlegs

Master of deception: A Killdeer putting on an Oscar-worthy performance—looking injured so I won’t notice its ground nest hidden among the rocks. 🎭 #NatureDrama #WildlyGrounded #KilldeerWisdom

Ambitious beaver!

2 ways to spread the love for our nature documentary!

1. Make a tax deductible donation
Donate to our project through our fiscal sponsor, the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. In the space provided, be sure to let MEC know to direct the funds to “Cardinal Valley Documentary Group”.

🔥 Tis the season! Restoring balance at Cardinal Valley w/ controlled burns. This vital practice clears dead vegetation, promotes new growth, & improves habitats for wildlife. A step toward a stronger, more resilient landscape. #ControlledBurning #EcosystemRestoration #CardinalValley #WildlifeHabitat

✨ A winter feast! A flock of Cedar Waxwings visits Cardinal Valley, feasting on berries that fuel their journey. These nomadic beauties rely on healthy habitats to find food through the seasons. Restoring native plants means more wildlife thriving. #CedarWaxwing #HabitatMatters #CardinalValley

🩵🧡 A comeback story! A pair of Eastern Bluebirds feast on sumac at Cardinal Valley. 2021’s deep freeze devastated their numbers, but native food like sumac helps them bounce back. Healthy ecosystems provide food, shelter & resilience for wildlife. #EasternBluebird #HabitatMatters #CardinalValley

Fight the Constitutional Crisis

In a pair of social media posts, Trump suggested that laws do not apply to him and that he is a king, reiterating his clear intention to defy the Constitution and rule as an authoritarian.

5calls.org/issue/consti...

These birds were all spotted at Cardinal Valley, and the photographer, A. Wild, has generously shared the images with us for our fundraiser. The set contains 2 cards of each of the 4 birds; Cardinal, Prothonotary Warbler, Bald Eagle, and the Spotted Sandpiper.

From wasteland to thriving wildlife. Check out this story on the amazing transformation happening in Webb City, Missouri, because every community could benefit from this circular approach to land management.
Story by Jerod Thomas

storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5f5d...?

On the left: after mining and before compost.
On the right: after compost. Birds, pollinators, plants, and people are returning to the land.

This land was once wasteland. Chat piles. Waste from lead and zinc mining. No one could live there. Now, Webb City, MO is home to hundreds of plant, animal, and fungi species. And it's a pretty beautiful spot for us people, too.

Learn more at vimeo.com/914611754/20...?

Photo credit: A. Wild

Bringing nature back, one honk at a time! 🦆❄️ Geese on ice, restoring balance in the wild! #cardinalvalleyrestoration

A frozen moment bathed in sunlight—nature’s quiet reflection of winter’s beauty.

See the light shine on nature's creativity and patience?