![]() ![]() Alternatively, the community of Rock Port, located in far northwestern Missouri, Atchison County, received only 2.39 inches. The highest rainfall total came from extreme southwestern Missouri, in McDonald County, where the community of Noel reported 14.55 inches. A few southern border counties and the Bootheel reported more than 10 inches for the month. Generally, 5-7 inches fell over northern and central sections whereas 7-9 inches were common across southern Missouri. Preliminary numbers indicate the statewide average total for the month was just over 6.5 inches, or about 2-inches above normal. Numerous rain events throughout the month led to above normal precipitation for most locations. The month was also accompanied by tragedy when a historic and deadly tornado devastated the community of Joplin. Preliminary data from Missouri indicated slightly below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation for the month of May, but much of the month was dominated by highly contrasting air masses over the region, leading to periods of much warmer than normal and much cooler than normal weather. Thank you for the support shown to Joplin.May 2011 Weather and Its Impacts on Missouri Pat GuinanĬommercial Agriculture/University of Missouri Extension Please join us and donate to help children and families in the Joplin community cope with this crisis, and help us work with our community partners to rebuild the urban forest. The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center has long partnered with the Joplin region and stands at the ready to help the city-it will take a massive effort to restore this community for people, and for birds and other wildlife. We will build upon existing partnerships with the city, schools and civic organizations to plan and hold local workshops that promote our Audubon at Home program explain the benefits of using native plants in community and residential landscapes, and the benefit of rain gardens, erosion control and water quality, and other efforts that promote healthy and ecologically beneficial backyards. Operation Backyard Recovery will also focus on the long-term issue of replacing native habitat lost during the storm and working with homeowners to restore their yards with bird- and wildlife-friendly plant species. While our thoughts are first and foremost with the people who have experienced complete devastation, we also realize the homes and habitats for birds and other wildlife have also been destroyed. Programs will be tailored to integrate art therapy, nature journaling, volunteerism opportunities, wildlife identificationand obeservation, and other learning activities to help the community of Joplin, especially children, experience the healing power of nature. Audubon is reaching out to our local partners, some of the most disadvanteged, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, Association for the Blind, Turnaaround Ranch, and the Autism Center, to offer additional summer camps and environmental education programs free of charge during the duration of this crisis. This program focuses on both the short-term and long-term issues our community now faces. ![]() ![]() In keeping with the Center’s role as a vital community resource for nature education and inspiration, we are launching Operation Backyard Recovery. Our hope is WGCAC will provide all of these in a safe and soothing environment for children and families during this initial time of despair and the coming years ahead of healing. There is a strong body of research confirming that interaction with nature reduces stress, increases a sense of coherence and belonging, improves self-confidence and fosters a broader sense of community. WGCAC has long partnered with the Joplin region and is ready to help now, and in the difficult months and years ahead. The toll and reconstruction effort for both people’s lives and the community will be massive. While our very own Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon center (WGCAC) staff and facility were spared, hundreds of churches, businesses and public buildings were devastated-more than 60% of Joplin’s schools have been destroyed or damaged, and thousands of homes and other places children go have been decimated in a 13 square mile path of the tornado. All of us at Audubon are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and the impact of the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri. ![]()
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