Missouri Native Stewardship Services

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Vinita Park, MO
Missouri Native Stewardship Services

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Native landscape design and stewardship services in the Missouri and central Illinois marketplace

10/30/2026

MNSS enjoyed being part of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum Second Annual Arboretum Fall Field Day on October 24.

We joined AmeriCorps St. Louis, Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter, DarkSky Missouri, City of St. Louis Forestry Division, Missouri Prairie Foundation, Native and other organizations helping people care for the natural world around them.

At our booth, native plant conversations went hand in hand with our Young Stewards coloring pages and monarch migration maze—inviting the next generation to discover their own role in caring for habitat.

Thank you to James Faupel and the Bellefontaine team for bringing this community together. It’s a pleasure to share in the stewardship of this special place and see its beauty through the seasons. Looking forward to visiting soon.
If you haven't been, plan a day this fall for a visit.

”

10/30/2026

MNSS NEWS | From Pasture to Pollinator Habitat
Big plans for a little piece of Missouri!
Chuck is reporting from a privately owned property spanning more than 1,000 acres near Steelville, Missouri, where an exciting habitat restoration opportunity is taking shape.
Missouri Native Stewardship Services recently joined the landowner and representatives from the Missouri Dept. of Conservation(MDC), Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever in Missouri, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to explore converting approximately 100 acres of former pasture into native pollinator habitat.
Together, we walked the property, discussed restoration opportunities, and explored potential funding assistance through NRCS's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Converting former pasture to diverse native vegetation can provide valuable habitat for pollinators, grassland birds, and other wildlife while improving soil health and supporting the ecological resilience of the landscape.
Projects like this remind us that meaningful restoration is a collaborative effort. Landowners, conservation organizations, and experienced stewardship professionals each bring important knowledge and resources to the table.
We're looking forward to working alongside the landowner and these dedicated organizations as this exciting opportunity develops.
What can you do with your acres?
A new chapter in stewardship.

10/20/2026

What grows beneath the solar panels matters. 🌱☀️
Lisa Ross and Chuck Caverly represented Missouri Native Stewardship Services at the Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association Solar Summit, where MNSS is proud to be a Kilowatt Sponsor.
Chuck’s presentation, “Ecovoltaics in Missouri,” explored opportunities to give solar sites a second purpose:🌼 Ecovoltaics pairs solar energy production with native vegetation to support pollinators, protect soil, and improve water infiltration.
🐑 Agrovoltaics combines solar energy production with agricultural uses, including grazing livestock.
For MNSS, these conversations bring stewardship into the planning process. Plant selection, thoughtful site design, and ongoing care all help determine how well the land beneath and around an array can function. Solar Energy Industries Association
Thank you, MOSEIA, for the opportunity to share our perspective and connect with others working on the future of solar in Missouri!

10/16/2026

MNSS NEWS | Lessons from the Northwest — Part 2

From the orchards of Oregon to the spectacular Multnomah Falls, Chuck continues his travels through the Pacific Northwest.

It's a very different landscape from the prairies and woodlands we work with in Missouri, but a reminder that every region has its own ecological story.

Water, geology, climate, and plant communities all play a role in shaping the landscapes around us.

And while the species may change from one region to another, the importance of understanding and respecting those natural relationships remains the same.

Good stewardship begins with observation—and sometimes a change of scenery offers a whole new perspective.

10/16/2026

MNSS NEWS | Lessons from the Northwest — Part 1

Our work may be rooted in Missouri, but our curiosity takes us well beyond it!

Chuck is checking in from Oregon, where he's exploring a different growing region and taking in the sights at Mountain View Orchard.

From beautiful dahlias and apple trees to pumpkins ready for harvest, there's plenty to appreciate about the Pacific Northwest's horticultural landscape.

While the plants, climate, and growing conditions may differ from those back home, opportunities to observe, ask questions, and learn are everywhere.

At MNSS, we believe understanding our craft means looking beyond our own landscapes and appreciating the knowledge and experiences found in others.

Thanks for taking us along, Chuck!

10/15/2026

Meet Ethan! 🌿
We're excited to welcome Ethan Barrera to the MNSS crew!
🎓 A St. Louis native, Ethan holds a Horticulture Certificate from Horticulture at STLCC - MeramecMeramec and is a Certified Grow Native! Professional.
🌎 An AmeriCorps St. Louis alumnus, he's served across Missouri, Illinois, and Montana. He also interned at Shaw Nature Reserve, working with native plants in their trial gardens.
🥾 An avid hiker and aspiring botanist, Ethan loves exploring landscapes, identifying plants, and photographing the natural world.
📸 Fun fact: Ethan has logged more than 23,000 observations on iNaturalist, ranking among the top 10 observers in Missouri!
🌼 Favorite natives: Ozark Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) and Fremont's Leather Flower (Clematis fremontii).
We're glad to have Ethan's curiosity, botanical knowledge, and enthusiasm for stewardship on our team!

10/14/2026

WINNER-Jamie Hubert (Facebook submission) captured a bumble bee visiting what appears to be Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida). These bright fall blooms offer food late in the season, while the bee helps move pollen from flower to flower—a small moment of stewardship happening right before our eyes. 🐝💛 Thank you to all who submitted! This was a fun way to keep the buzz going.

10/13/2026

What does tree cover have to do with a community’s health?
-From summer heat and stormwater to mental well-being and wildlife habitat, trees shape our daily lives.-
At a Cool Cities STL pop-up, Chuck Caverly discussed these connections—including the 3-30-300 rule, a guideline for bringing nature closer to everyone.
🌳 3 trees visible from every home, school, and workplace
Even a view of greenery can help reduce stress and restore attention. Connecting with nature can begin right outside our windows.
🌳 30% tree canopy in every neighborhood
Tree canopy—the area covered by trees’ crowns—provides shade, helps cool streets and buildings, and intercepts rainfall to reduce stormwater runoff. The goal applies to each neighborhood so these benefits reach residents throughout a community.
🌳 300 meters to a park or green space
A short walk—roughly 1,000 feet—to green space gives people more opportunities to move, gather, relax, and spend time outdoors.
🦚What we plant matters, too.
Native trees support the insects, birds, and other wildlife that share our neighborhoods. Keystone plants such as native oaks have an especially large role in sustaining these food webs.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, 96% of terrestrial birds rely on insects for food. Protecting the native plants that feed those insects helps sustain the birds we love to see and hear.🦉
Community greening takes long-term stewardship: protecting mature trees, planting suitable native species, and caring for them as they grow.
Thank you, Cool Cities STL and the City of Clayton, Missouri, for encouraging this conversation about healthier communities—for people and wildlife alike.

10/07/2026

🌱 Supporting plants AND people.

At Missouri Native Stewardship Services, caring for our community goes hand in hand with caring for the land.

Lisa and Chuck attended Feast for Change, and MNSS was proud to support Operation Food Search as a Beekeeper-level sponsor.
Operation Food Search helps connect people across our region with nutritious food—a mission we’re grateful to support.

Thank you to the OFS team and everyone helping nourish a healthier community. 💚

Learn more or get involved: https://www.operationfoodsearch.org/

09/30/2026

🐝 Don’t Kill My Buzz!
The garden may be winding down, but bees are still busy. -Honey bees are gathering late-season nectar and pollen to help their colonies through winter. -New bumble bee queens are feeding before they find a place to overwinter. -Carpenter bees may return to their tunnels in wood, while many other native bees spend winter in soil or plant stems. 🌱
How can we help the bees that help us? Let fall-blooming native plants such as goldenrod and asters flower. Leave some stems and leaves in place, and avoid disturbing bare soil where bees may be nesting.
A little less fall cleanup can make a real difference.
Now show us the bees you’ve spotted! Reply 📸 photo or DM us your favorite bee photo by October 14.
We’ll choose one, and the photographer will win a Don’t Kill My Buzz T-shirt.
Plant MO-native. Keep the buzz going. 🌼

Address

8465 Delport Drive
Vinita Park, MO
63114

Telephone

+13147646677

Website

http://www.mo-native.com/, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/missouri-stewardship-summit-tickets-1980416736771?aff=oddtdtcrea

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