MO DNR Environmental Newsroom

Earth Day Community Event, Mastodon State Historic Site, April 22

Missouri State Parks announces Earth Day community events at Mastodon State Historic Site and Washington State Park April 22-25, 2026. Events include a recycling drive with electronics, paint, and medical equipment collection, plus a volunteer trash pickup at Washington State Park. All events are free and open to the public.

Spring Events Planned at Kansas City Area State Parks

MO DNR announced two volunteer events scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Knob Noster State Park and Battle of Lexington State Historic Site. Knob Noster volunteers will assist with park cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Battle of Lexington volunteers will clear invasive species to prepare grounds for a new hiking trail from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the national Park Day initiative sponsored by the American Battlefield Trust. Both events are open to individual volunteers, families, and groups.

Missouri Trails Advisory Board Meets April 18, Jefferson City

Missouri State Parks will hold its biannual Missouri Trails Advisory Board Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Jefferson Landing State Historic Site in Jefferson City. The meeting is open to the public and will include discussion of 2026 Recreational Trails Program grant applications and board recommendations on grant recipients.

Katy Trail Founders Day Celebration Scheduled for April 25

Missouri DNR announces Katy Trail State Park Founders Day celebration on April 25, 2026. The event marks the 36th anniversary of the park's opening and honors Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones who donated $2.2 million in 1990 to create the 240-mile recreational trail. Events include volunteer activities and live music at six locations along the trail from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

5.5-Mile Trail Extension Opens at Thousand Hills State Park

Missouri Department of Natural Resources announces the opening of a 5.5-mile trail extension at Thousand Hills State Park on April 18, 2026. The extension creates a 16-mile loop trail around the lake, developed in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation and Forest Lake Area Trail System.

Missouri DNR Seeks Contractor to Develop Critical Minerals Plan

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority, has issued a Request for Proposals to secure a contractor to develop a Missouri Critical Minerals Plan. The plan will analyze opportunities and challenges for critical mineral development, including cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, and zinc. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. May 6, 2026.

Missouri DNR releases Flood and Drought awareness app with real-time alerts

Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released a free mobile application providing real-time flood and drought monitoring data statewide. The Missouri Flood and Drought app uses data from the agency's streamgage and soil-moisture sensor networks to display current conditions and forecast impacts. The app is the first product from the Missouri Hydrology Information Center, created in response to devastating 2019 floods.

Missouri DNR grants Archie $158,000 for water project

Missouri DNR announced a $158,000 interest-free loan to the city of Archie for planning and design of drinking water system improvements. The full project is expected to cost $1.2 million with construction starting in 2028. The department estimates the loan will save ratepayers approximately $33,000 in interest over its five-year term.

Katy Trail Founders Day Anniversary Celebration Events

Missouri DNR announces the 36th anniversary celebration of Katy Trail State Park on April 25, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. The country's longest continuous 240-mile recreational rail-trail, established in 1990 through a $2.2 million donation by Edward 'Ted' Jr. and Pat Jones, will host volunteer honeysuckle hack and mulching activities along with live music at six trail locations across Missouri.

Missouri Historic Preservation Symposium

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announces the third annual Missouri Historic Preservation symposium on May 13-14, 2026, in Joplin. The event, themed 'The Road Ahead: Fueling the Economy through Historic Preservation,' is presented by the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office and cosponsored by multiple local organizations. Advance registration is required by April 30, with fees of $25 for standard attendance and $10 for students.

Missouri awards $2.4M to Fisk water system

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $2.4 million in financial assistance to the city of Fisk for drinking water system improvements. The funding consists of a $1.8 million grant and a $603,000 loan through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The city will replace all 175 water meters with cellular automatic read systems, upgrade treatment facilities, and replace two existing wells with new shallow sand wells.

$4.8M Wastewater Treatment Grant Awarded to Pilot Grove, Missouri

MO DNR awarded $4.8 million in financial assistance to Pilot Grove, MO for wastewater treatment system upgrades through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The funding includes a $2 million loan and $2.76 million grant, with the city contributing nearly $700,000 and securing an additional $750,000 Community Development Block Grant. Project completion is targeted for May 2027.

Missouri DNR Awards $50,000 Grant for Wastewater System Evaluation

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources awarded a $50,000 Clean Water Engineering Report Grant to the city of Mountain Grove. The grant will fund an evaluation of the city's wastewater system to identify necessary improvements for reliable service and reduced stormwater inflow.

Missouri DEQ Seeks Comments on Hazardous Waste Permit for Doe Run Facility

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comments on a draft hazardous waste permit for The Doe Run Buick Resource Recycling Facility. The draft permit outlines proposed conditions for storing, treating, and disposing of hazardous waste, and includes requirements for corrective action for soil and groundwater contamination.

MO DNR Seeks Comments on Draft Hazardous Waste Permit Modification for International Paper

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comments on a draft hazardous waste permit modification for International Paper Company's facility in Joplin. The modification proposes to remove a 0.48-acre access road from the permit and to remove 13 semi-volatile organic constituents from annual monitoring requirements.

MO DNR Awards $1.6M Loan for School District Energy Project

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a low-interest loan of over $1.6 million to the Hillsboro R-III School District for energy efficiency improvements. The project aims to reduce energy costs and conserve resources for the school district and its community.

Missouri DNR Aquifer Study Seeks Landowner Participation

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is conducting an aquifer study in Lewis County and is seeking participation from landowners with water wells. The study uses passive seismic surveys to identify potential underground aquifers, which could help locate favorable water well construction sites and ease drought impacts.

Missouri DEQ Seeks Comments on Unilever Remedy and Regulatory Release

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comments on a proposed final remedy for the Unilever HPC-USA facility. The proposal suggests no further corrective action is needed and seeks to release the facility from hazardous waste storage regulations.

Missouri State Energy Plan Development Project Launched

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has initiated a six-month project to develop a new State Energy Plan. This initiative will involve economic and power sector modeling, demand forecasting, and policy recommendations to address the state's changing energy landscape and increasing reliance on imported electricity.

WOW St. Louis Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced the upcoming WOW St. Louis National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School, scheduled for April 11-12, 2026. The event aims to empower families with outdoor skills and offers various participation options, including day classes and an overnight experience.