The Backyard Naturalist

In An Environmental Journey, Loring Bullard chronicles Missouri’s attempts to protect its environment, its ups and downs, from the perspective of his lifetime of working on its behalf. The future is still unwritten, he says, and the power to shape it lies in our hands. From the smallest actions in our homes to the largest decisions in boardrooms and government halls, every choice matters. The environmental challenges of today are more severe, more complicated, than those of the past. But while these problems are daunting, they are not insurmountable. As he makes clear, however, solving them will require collective effort, a shared vision, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.

In Living Waters, Loring Bullard follows the broad history of Missouri’s springs as gathering places and social centers. His survey is historically based, adding credibility and context. This formula allows him to educate and motivate even the most casual readers. I understand more, observe more, and care more than when I turned the first page. Bullard’s work is important for all who value water, both supply and quality, now and into the future.

Missourians love their beautiful lakes and clear, swiftly flowing streams. We see this attraction demonstrated every summer, as crowds flock to Missouri’s popular float streams. But hidden in the less traveled corners of the Ozarks are some streams equaling these nationally recognized streams in water quality and scenic beauty. Bull Creek, in southwest Missouri, is one of these. Unlike the Current, Jacks Fork or Eleven Point, Bull Creek has no special protection. In Saving Bull Creek, Kipfer and Bullard argue that Bull Creek is certainly worthy of protection, but it will take a special effort from those living in its watershed to make it happen. Like a tossed stone, the authors suggest, the love for Bull Creek must ripple across the entire watershed.