outdoors

Missouri outdoor workers face growing heat risks with federal protections in flux

Najifa Farhat

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services data show 254 people died from heat-related causes between 2014 and 2026. About 6% of those deaths were listed as being related to occupational activities.

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Missouri River during a journey from Washington to Florida. On Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Cooper’s Landing in Columbia. “Ever since Yankton (South Dakota), it’s been very good to me,” Parker said. “I haven’t had any storms, which is a big plus - in the Dakotas I had all sorts of storms.”

KBIA News

Cross-country canoer lands near Columbia

Jenna Higgins

Kyle Parker is taking a short break from his coast-to-coast adventure this weekend.

Sarah Parker Pauley recently retired as director of the Department of Conservation, a position she'd held since late 2016. She also served as the director of the Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the state park system.

Missouri News

Retired Missouri conservation director plans to enjoy the areas she oversaw

Jason Rosenbaum - St. Louis Public Radio

Recently retired Missouri Department of Conservation Director Sara Parker Pauley talked about the challenges of navigating an agency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arts and Culture

Here Say: Your Stories about the Great Outdoors, Told at Stephens Lake Park

Hope Kirwan, Abigail Keel

Here Say is a project in community storytelling. We travel to a new place each week and ask people to share true stories about things we all experience:…