Articles from ‘June 2025’ Issue
Partners to Launch “No Red Day” Campaign as Peak Ozone Season Gets Underway
Article courtesy of the Clean Air Partnership and Citizens for Modern Transit
When summer hits its peak, so does poor air quality. Rising temperatures and transportation-related emissions can combine to create dangerous levels of ozone air pollution in the bi-state area. The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership and Citizens for Modern Transit are therefore teaming… [click headline to read more]
Explore Spectacular Water Gardens throughout St. Louis on June 21 and 22, 2025
In June, the stunning features in water gardens are at their peak beauty — richly-colored, teeming with life, and lush with abundance. The 25th-Annual St. Louis Water Garden Society “Pond-O-Rama” tour is your invitation to wander through the sights and sounds of the area’s most-spectacular ones.
Mark your calendar for the unforgettable experience with the healing… [click headline to read more]
Why I Founded Convergence Productions
By Kayla Heard
May I introduce myself? My name is Kayla Heard and I am very excited to be bringing this information to you. I help people like you, and families like yours, achieve spectacular healing and wellness through enjoyable and life-changing gatherings. My journey through trials, failures and successes, sorrow and joy, laughter and tears… [click headline to read more]
Natural Remedies for Menopause Relief
By Dr. Amy Davis MD
Menopause – “The Change of Life” typically occurs in the late forties or early 50’s. Symptoms of menopause start gradually and can be annoying to say the least. Stopping your period is great, but the rest can be a lot to deal with. There are various approaches that can help to… [click headline to read more]
Begin Your Day by Turning Inward
By Dr. Gail Cloud
What if we were to start our days by tuning in instead of tuning outward? These days most of us wake up and go on our phones right away, or our computers. What if instead, we checked in with how we are feeling, drank some water to rehydrate, and stepped outside in… [click headline to read more]
Rain Garden — Smart Choice for a Wet Spot
By Ann Lapides
As environmental concerns grow, homeowners are increasingly turning to rain gardens as a practical and eco-friendly way to manage wet areas on their properties. Rain gardens are designed to capture and absorb rainwater runoff, reducing the risk of flooding and improving water quality. Rain gardens are shallow basins strategically placed to intercept rainwater from… [click headline to read more]
Give Dad the Gift of Wellness this Father’s Day
Father’s Day provides a special opportunity to honor the important men in our lives. Work demands, physical activity, summer weather, and daily stress can significantly impact overall health and well-being. Spa treatments offer dads a peaceful retreat to relax, rejuvenate, and recharge mentally and physically.
Relaxation at Vitality Unlimited Spa
Therapeutic MassageDeep Tissue Massage helps relieve muscle tension and enhances… [click headline to read more]
Irresistible Community Builders, LLC presents: World Without End
By Tom & Carol Braford
There are two pathways to surviving and indeed socially thriving during the ongoing global temperature rise and downhill multi-polar slide as we rush past peak everything, according to world renowned writer and best selling French author, Jean-marc Jancovici. In his book, World Without End, which has just come out in a… [click headline to read more]
CONSERVATION CORNER: Good Points About Prickly Pear
By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation
Photo caption: The eastern prickly pear cactus is a Missouri native of glades and dry areas. Photo by Jim Rathert, Missouri Dept. of Conservation.
A surprise encounter with a cactus might be a sticky and painful situation. However, there’s a particular cactus that also holds some surprises that really are interesting.… [click headline to read more]
ARTful Living
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Healthy Planet Arts Editor
I love the arts. I dislike politics. I write today about that love, not about politics.
Photo: Frog Skin Agate Pendant by Amy Buettner/Tucker Glasgow, at Webster Arts Fair.
As I write this column, news reports tell of efforts to cut funding to cultural agencies and institutions in the United… [click headline to read more]
Wine Trail Wilderness Named One of the Top Vineyard Camping Experiences in the US by Hipcamp
The Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau is happy to announce that Wine Trail Wilderness, a hand built camping retreat in the heart of Southern Illinois wine country, has been named one of the Top Vineyard Camping Experiences in the United States by Hipcamp, the world’s #1 camping app.
Located directly on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, the… [click headline to read more]
High Vibration/Great Health: Food & Beverages
By Diane K. Wilson
Abbreviated/Condensed Version
Consider choosing a few of these to add to your grocery list — and maybe they’ll inspire your wellness journey too!
Anti-Inflammatory Support: Turmeric, Ginger, Garlic, Extra virgin olive oil, Walnuts, Almonds, Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), Leafy greens (kale, spinach), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Salmon, Sardines, Flaxseeds, Chia seeds, Green tea, Matcha, Avocados, Beets, Cinnamon,… [click headline to read more]
Earthworms Castings
By Jean Ponzi
EarthWays Center Celebrates Milestone
25 Years of Sustainable Solutions for You
Our Missouri Botanical Garden values sustainability on a par with care for plants, thanks to the work of the EarthWays Center, where 2025 is a notable year for the Garden’s sustainability team.
Through the 1990s, public calls for environmental action accelerated energy efficiency, recycling, renewable… [click headline to read more]
Publisher’s Corner
Time for Summer Fun
By Susan Hunt-Bradford
June means summer has officially arrived in St. Louis — and with it comes a familiar debate. Is it the smooth, easygoing vibe of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”(1991)?“Summer, summer, summertime, time to sit back and unwind.”
Or are we bracing ourselves for something more like Bananarama’s
“Cruel Summer” (1984)?
“Hot city… [click headline to read more]
What is Your Soul’s Garden Paradise?
By Linda Wiggen Kraft
Green & Growing Editor
It was ten-year-olds who turned my world upside down as a garden designer. For years I had designed gardens in a traditional way. I found out what a person wanted for their garden by the inspirations they had seen in magazines, books, at public gardens and gardens of others.… [click headline to read more]
Founder’s Forum: Thinking of My Dad “Chuck” For Father’s Day
By JB Lester
June is the month of Father’s Day, and I was thinking about my dad Charles “Chuck” Norton Lester. He passed away in 1971 from a heart attack while on a fishing trip with his buddies. At least he died doing something he loved. He was 47 years old. I was trekking around Europe… [click headline to read more]
Need a dose of climate hope? Look Local
By Maeve Elder, Communication & Outreach CoordinatorMissouri Gateway Green Building Council
For those of us building a healthy planet space, this is a frustrating time. Green building and climate work has always been an uphill battle with fluctuating progress, but a moment like this can make it feel like we’re stuck in the myth of Sisyphus… [click headline to read more]
Great Rivers Greenway Receives $2 Million Commitment from Purina to Welcome Pets to the Brickline Greenway
Great Rivers Greenway is excited to announce a $2 million gift from Nestlé Purina PetCare Company towards the development of the Brickline Greenway. Purina’s investment aims to enhance the accessibility and enjoyment of Downtown St. Louis and the region for dog owners and their furry companions.
Headquartered in Downtown St. Louis for over 130 years, Purina has… [click headline to read more]
The Courage To Grieve A Friendship
By Jasmin Acosta, Healthy Planet Staff Writer
Throughout our lives, we meet people who become our friends, often impacting our lives in significant ways. Whether it is a friendship from childhood, a friend for a few months, or even years. As we grow and evolve, we often forget that our friends are evolving too—sometimes in ways… [click headline to read more]
Recycling 101: Keeping Up with the Joneses
By Steven Davies, Healthy Planet Staff Writer
As I’ve talked about before, it seems that every time I’m out running errands on trash day, I’m always looking to see what my neighbors have in their trash and recycling bins. I look to see what’s sticking out of them, thinking about how much of what they have… [click headline to read more]
Peach, Basil, and Balsamic Pizza… Perfect for Poolside or the Patio!
By Natalie R. Toney, B.F.A., C.H., Healthy Planet Food editor
The summer season is upon us, as is the season for parties poolside, on patios, by the lake, and really anywhere else we can soak in the sun (with appropriate SPF, of course!) after long stretches indoors. This season also brings an abundance of fresh fruits… [click headline to read more]