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City of Columbia, MO - Office of Sustainability

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City of Columbia, MO - Office of Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is one of the most important challenges facing future generations. Investing time and funds in these issues is not a trend, but a lifestyle. We are dedicated to environmental improvements that foster a sustainable future and lead to social and economical improvements in the community which we serve. Our commitment is to work locally to improve the social, economical, and environmental well-being of our community.

09/16/2026

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 🚫 NO food containers for rotisserie chickens, meal prep kit trays & lids, and ready-to-eat meal trays from online food subscription services. (𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦)

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀:
✅ Plastic bottles (such as sports drink, water or soda bottles)
✅ Plastic containers (such as detergent jugs, milk jugs or shampoo bottles)
✅ Aluminum beverage cans
✅ Metal food cans

📞 Questions? 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆'𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝟱𝟳𝟯.𝟴𝟳𝟰.𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 (𝟮𝟰𝟴𝟵) 𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆@𝗖𝗼𝗠𝗼.𝗴𝗼𝘃 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

09/15/2026

♻️ 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧! 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀

🚫 NO clamshell produce/deli containers sometimes come with cellophane tops, hinged lids, or plastic tops (containing tomatoes, blueberries, grapes, strawberries, nuts, or side dishes such as coleslaw, potato salad, hummus)

Please help keep our recycling stream clean by placing these items in the trash instead.

09/15/2026

What month do turtles hibernate? Turtles enter a state called brumation, which is similar to hibernation, in late fall in response to shorter days and colder temperatures. Brumation is a deep sleep that's necessary for turtles' health and reproduction. The exact time turtles start brumating depends on the species and location, but it's usually between mid-September and mid-October and lasts until early spring.

Turtles hibernate in water because their body temperatures stay stable and don't drop below 0°C. Many turtles will return to the same place to hibernate each year, such as the bottom of a lake or wetland, where they may bury themselves in the mud. During brumation, turtles' metabolic rates and activity levels decrease, but they remain alert and may sometimes move or drink water.

Some turtles, like box turtles, may take short breaks from brumation on warmer days in the winter. If you see a turtle in your yard, you should leave it alone.

09/14/2026

🔧✨ FIX-IT FAIR at MACCLab – Parkade Plaza! ✨🔧

Got a broken household item sitting around that you just can’t bring yourself to throw away? Bring it to the Fix-It Fair and let’s give it a second life! ♻️

Local volunteers will be on hand to help you troubleshoot, repair, and learn how to fix common household items. Whether it’s a small appliance, household gadget, or another item in need of some TLC, we’ll do our best to help!

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
⏰ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 MACCLab – Parkade Plaza
601 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO 65203

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/qrNnp4xfRnGTF45P7

📌 Good to know: MACCLab is located downstairs on the basement level of Moberly Area Community College – Columbia at Parkade Plaza. There is plenty of free parking available.

Don’t toss it—fix it! 🛠️♻️

We look forward to seeing you there!

09/14/2026

🌱 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗿 - A healthy lawn doesn’t need to be a heavily fertilized lawn. Using too much fertilizer can send excess nutrients into storm drains and local waterways when it rains, contributing to water quality problems.

You can help protect our watershed with a few simple steps:
🌿 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹 before fertilizing to find out what your lawn actually needs.
💧 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗿 and follow the application directions. More isn’t always better!
🌧️ 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 and avoid fertilizing before heavy rain.
🚫 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀, 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 where it can wash into storm drains.
🌱 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘂𝘀-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗿 unless a soil test shows your lawn needs phosphorus.
🍂 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗻 when mowing. They return nutrients to the soil and can reduce the need for fertilizer.

Small changes in your yard can make a big difference downstream.

𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀. 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱.

Learn more: www.como.gov/watersheds

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆.

#𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 #𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆

09/13/2026

Maintenance is the #1 activity we spend time on in our yards, but creating a more natural landscape can mean less work for you and more benefits for pollinators, wildlife, and the environment.

There are many reasons to embrace the use of Missouri’s wonderful native plants. They create beauty and interest with a progression of flowers and fruits, and they furnish food and cover for butterflies, birds and other wildlife.

In addition, they:
• Are adapted to our climate.
• Are adapted to our soils.
• Require little or no irrigation.
• Seldom require fertilizer or pesticides.
• The current mix of Missouri native plants has been here since the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago.
• Native plants evolved with Missouri’s geology, climate and wildlife.
• Many wildlife species prefer native plants for habitat and depend on them for survival.
• Well-established and maintained native-plant communities help resist invasive
non-natives that threaten wildlife habitat and crops.
• Native plants help preserve our natural diversity.

Where to Buy Native Plants this Spring - Here in Mid-Missouri, we are fortunate to have multiple nurseries that offer native plants.The following are a few options:

Sunrise Gardens
Established in 2011, Sunrise Gardens is a local nursery dedicated to wildlife gardens and sustainable landscapes. Find them every Saturday at the Columbia Farmers Market, or order online from their website for nursery pickup!
https://ayrs.io/3hj9rm/

Missouri Wildflower Nursery
Located in Jefferson City, Missouri Wildflower Nursery offers a wide variety of native plants seed and transplants. If you’re looking to cultivate a tidy garden, use their “formal landscape filter” and select plants rated three or four stars!
https://ayrs.io/TdL_mx/

Superior Garden Center
Superior Garden Center can be found off the Midway exit west of Columbia. Search “Missouri Native” in their plant inventory to identify native options for your garden. As a part of Rost Inc. they also offer landscaping services that utilize native plants.
www.rostlandscaping.com/superior-garden-center/

CMSE Giving Gardens
For over 50 years, CMSE’s goal has been to offer meaningful work to people with disabilities. They offer a variety of plants, including some native perennials. You can find them off of S. Bearfield Rd.
https://ayrs.io/ZuDhDQ

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

09/13/2026

50 Fall Flowers and Plants for Autumn!
www.almanac.com/best-fall-flowers-your-garden

09/12/2026

🐦 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬🌻Few of our common crops have such a long and storied history as the humble pumpkin! These orange gourds are part of our family traditions, our favorite meals, and the cultural fabric of our nation.

🎃 Pumpkins: The Icon of Autumn
Pumpkins are more than just a fall decoration — they’re a fascinating and nutritious part of our history and diet. Scientifically a type of winter squash from the Cucurbita genus, pumpkins are technically a fruit — a specialized berry called a pepo — because of their hard rind and many seeds. While we often picture them as bright orange, they also come in white, green, and even blue varieties.

🍂 A North American Original
Pumpkins are native to North America, with the oldest seeds discovered in Mexico dating back more than 7,000 years. Traditionally planted in late spring and harvested in autumn, they have been a vital food source for centuries. Native Americans not only ate the flesh and seeds but also used the dried shells as containers for storage.

🥗 Packed with Nutrition
Pumpkins are low in calories and fat but loaded with nutrients. They’re an excellent source of vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and iron. Their vibrant orange color comes from beta-carotene, an antioxidant that supports eye health and boosts immunity. Nearly every part of the plant — from skin to flowers to seeds — is edible and nutritious.

🎃 More Than a Pretty Face
Beyond their health benefits, pumpkins have become a cultural symbol of autumn. They’re famously carved into jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween, featured in seasonal recipes like pumpkin pie and soups, and celebrated at fall festivals across the country.
This fall, whether you’re carving a spooky face or roasting seeds for a snack, you’re participating in a tradition that goes back thousands of years.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆.

09/11/2026

🐞 Since when do LADYBUGS swarm houses and BITE?!

Well… they don't. 😅

Meet the multicolored Asian lady beetle — an introduced species that can become a major nuisance every fall. When temperatures drop, hundreds may gather on the sunny sides of light-colored homes, looking for a place to spend the winter.

🐞 How can you tell them apart?

👉 Check the collar! Look at the white area behind the beetle's head. Asian lady beetles often have a distinctive black “M” or “W” marking.

👉 Color isn't a reliable clue. They can be red, orange, or yellow, with or without spots.

👉 Look at their behavior. Native ladybugs typically overwinter outdoors under leaves, bark, and other natural cover. If you have hundreds gathering around your house, you're likely dealing with Asian lady beetles.

😬 Why are they a nuisance?

✔️ They can give you a small nip.
✔️ They can release a smelly yellow defensive fluid that may stain surfaces.
✔️ Large numbers can aggravate allergies for some people.
✔️ They can compete with native ladybug species.

🏡 What should you do?

✅ Seal entry points with caulk, screens, and door sweeps.

✅ Vacuum them up rather than crushing them — crushing can cause stains and odors.

✅ Skip the pesticides. Treating insects tucked away inside wall spaces isn't very effective.

🌿 And don't blame the real ladybugs!

Native ladybugs are valuable garden allies and help control aphids and other pests.

This fall, consider leaving leaf litter and hollow plant stems in your garden. Native ladybugs and other beneficial insects use these natural spaces for shelter.

🐞 Remember: Check the collar for the “M”!

09/11/2026

Interested in learning more about healthy, environmentally friendly lawn and landscape practices this season? The main environmental problem associated with fertilizer use is contamination of water with nitrates and phosphates.

The nitrogen from fertilizers and manures are eventually converted by bacteria in the soil to nitrates. These nitrates can be leached into the groundwater or be washed out of the soil surface into streams and rivers.

The following link will introduce you to lawn care practices that will reduce pesticide and nutrient risks to human health and the environment.

Learn more at www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/lawn-and-garden

Think differently.
Think sustainably.
Think watersheds.
.

Address

701 E Broadway
Columbia, MO
65201

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15738742489

Website

http://CoMo.gov/Sustainability

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09/16/2026

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09/13/2026

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09/11/2026

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