ACTION ALERT- IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED
STOP LARGE HOG CAFO FOR THE BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER WATERSHED

The Center for Biological Diversity and a local partner notified two federal agencies last week that we intend to sue over their failure to protect the Ozark hellbender, Hine's emerald dragonfly, Tumbling Creek cavesnail and two endangered mussels in Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest. We want the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to revisit the Mark Twain's 2005 forest plan to make changes that will help save endangered species and essential habitats on the forest -- aquatic species that have gained their federally protected status since 2005.

NOTE: The following letter was penned by our very own Tom Kruzen, who for various reasons is unable at present to post to this forum. Because the letter is worthy of re-publication, and this is as good a forum as any, here it is:

January 26, 2012

Dear Editor,

Federal agency finds Ozark hellbender endangered

By The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A federal agency has declared the Ozark hellbender an endangered species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule on Wednesday that places the aquatic salamander in the endangered category.
The amphibian lives in streams in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri and can reach two feet in length.

The agency says the main threat to the Ozark hellbender is damage to its habitat from mining, animal operations and fertilizer runoff.

(EDITOR's NOTE: The following is submitted for Tom Kruzen who is currently experiencing login problems.)

THOUGHTS ON THE ATOMIC AGE

One of the most common wild fruit trees in Missouri is the Wild Plum, of which there are five varieties. The most common and most widespread is the American Plum, Prunus americana Marsh. It is the largest and most important member of the plums as it is found rather generally throughout the state of Missouri, and is also found in Arkansas and elsewhere.

The other wild plum trees are the Chickasaw Plum, Prunus angustifolia Marsh., the Wild Goose Plum, Prunus munsoniana Wight and Hedr., Hortulan Plum, Prunus hortulana Bailey, and the Mexican Plum, Prunus mexicana.

This time of year one can see along roadsides, in and on both public and private lands, a beautiful wildflower, commonly called Yucca, Adam's Needles, or Spanish Bayonet. It is Yucca filamentosa L. and every single part of the plant is said to be useful.

Long, green sword-like leaves 12-32" in length, 1-3.5" wide, comprise most of the green portion, while the flower stalk arises centrally, erupting in a tall and beautiful display of large white blossoms having plenty roomy for a bumblebee. The plant may reach 4-5' in height.

A truly delicious wild green, similar in taste to spinach or lambsquarter, was pointed out by a neighbor who has eaten it in season for as long as he can remember. It is called Shawnee. It is cooked in the same manner as spinach or lambsquarter, and the main difference in taste is more of a texture, as it is "grainier" than the other two, yet still delicious steamed with a little butter or olive oil.

One of the most delicious foods this writer knows is Lambsquarter, Chenopodium album L. This tasty green is related to spinach, beets, and Swiss chard, and compared to spinach, this one is tastier in the opinion of many.

Ozark Chinquapin Tree Deserves Protection After 35 Years