Basic History
The U.S. gained Missouri from France in 1803, and the territory was admitted as a state following the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Throughout the pre-Civil War period and during the war, Missourians were sharply divided in their opinions about slavery and in their allegiances, supplying both Union and Confederate forces with troops. However, the state itself remained in the Union.
Environmental History
Representative trees of Missouri include the shortleaf pine, scarlet oak, smoke tree, peachleaf willow, cottonwood, cypress, and cedar. American holly is now considered rare. Among the threatened or endangered plants listed are the running buffalo clover, pondberry, Missouri bladderpod, and prairie fringed orchid.
Indigenous mammals are the common cottontail, muskrat, white-tailed deer, and gray and red foxes. 17 species were listed as threatened or endangered in Missouri, including three species of bat, bald eagle, gray wolf, pallid sturgeon, and three varieties of mussel.
Green Initiatives
Environmental Health and Safety Department of Missouri addresses fundamental responsibility of environmental stewardship, and communicates ongoing and continuous improvements to that end. Some of the environmentally friendly programs and procedures are: energy conservation by using time-controlled thermostats and by updating systems, enhancing the effort through building renovations and further updates of antiquated heating, cooling and lighting systems; transportation, parking and fleet maintenance, and reduction in vehicle-dependency; sustainable growth and development.
Several non-profit organizations are equally focused on endeavors to help make Missouri a more lively, beautiful and sustainable place to live and work. They are working to implement the following: use of ‘occupancy sensors’ in buildings; overhauling lighting systems to more efficient systems; increasing online usage and cutting down on paper usage; using Green Certified cleaning chemicals; striving to purchase recycled products; reducing carbon footprints via less driving, less lighting; introducing walkable/bikeable community master plan; use of programmable and low-volume irrigation systems for landscaping; recycling as much scrap materials, found across the cities, as possible; use of solar LED lighting; introducing geothermal programs; and planting more trees.
