Listed on the endangered species list. The Bachman Sparrow, also known as the "Oakwoods Sparrow" or "Pinewood Sparrow", is a small sparrow that relies on grains, grass, and tree seed, although the diet of this bird is not known in great detail, it will sometimes eat insects foraging almost primarily on the ground. First identified in 1834, the sparrow will sometimes hide in underground burrows created by Armadillos and the gopher tortoise from predators such as snakes, hawks, and other small mammals. This bird primarily lives in open pine forests, grassy areas, and clearcuts hoping around on the ground. Due to deforestation and other factors this bird is seeing diminishing numbers.  The sparrow will leave areas that become cramped with shrubs in the absence of fire. This bird has a very distinct song considered a beautiful whistle in which it will sing for several minutes giving people time to enjoy its song. Beginning in early spring, the males will sing to defend nesting territories. Often found in areas that also support the Red cockaded wood pecker, the Bachman sparrow Help this bird out today to ensure our planet has a better future. 

Pinus Echinata- or more commonly known as the "Short Leaf Pine" is Missouri's Only Native Pine Tree.  The Tree can be found as far north as St. Louis, MO and its seeds are a huge source of food for many bird species.  It provides sorrow for deer and this considered somewhat of a fast growing pine tree.  When a Short Leaf Pine trees branches break they will fall to the forest floor providing cover for quail ,turkey, and  many other animals here in Missouri.  The Pine Tree is not the best looking pine tree so lots of other non native species get used for ornamental purposes outside of homes and businesses.  The pine cones are small- large golf ball like and the base of the cone is right up against the stem and is a potential food source for our bachman sparrow.  Help the diminishing numbers of our planets wildlife today.

The Red Cockaded Wood Pecker -  This bird is one I remember as a young man where I can remember hearing it's beak knock on wood towards the end of the day but it's numbers are declining and I have not seen this bird in many years. The very distinct "red ear" on this bird was a common bird sighting throughout my early years. My personal experience was to see this bird along oak, pecan, and pine trees in which it likes to stay far from the ground in search of insects. I did not own a pine tree growing up which tends to be a well known source for this bird. It would visit our property every year especially my neighbor's pecan tree in which it would fly over to our oak trees and if I'm remembering right our black maple tree as well. If we don't help it out your kids will never hear the knock that makes one look towards the tree tops to view it dancing from branch to branch.  The wood pecker is a vital part to the ecosystem.  They help with insect population control but more importantly are the many creatures that rely on the cavities, "that they can not otherwise make", created from this bird in order to survive. These insects would go on to feed other birds and animals and without those insects around, threats to the survival of many other species will be the result.

Bachman Sparrow

Missouri's Short Leaf Pine / Missouri's Only Pine Tree- Diminished Numbers

Red Cockaded Woodpecker

Helping nature that has no voice is imperative to the survival of this planet and to the existence of the human race. We have a big responsibility as being considered the dominate creature of the solar system, one that can reason. We ask you to use the gifts you were given to help this planet and ourselves drive into a better future. The planet is much like a web, interconnected into a balancing system. The destruction of one species only threatens the existence of 1000's of others and here at Growagard we have made it a primary goal to drive inspirational education and research to help those that can't tell you about their survival. Learn about the nature on this site and that which resides in your area to ensure the future of the planet can be a viable living space for all.

The scaleshell mussel or scale shell is one of 70 species of mussel found within Missouri with 2/3 having conservational concerns. The outer shell of females looks like scales hence the name. This freshwater mussel lives typically only within the Missouri rivers and is listed on the endangered species list. It has a yellowish, green, and brownish colored shell. The inner shell layered composite material, also known as nacre, is blue or purple in color with a pinkish or copper tinge. It once was found in other states more but has become extirpated - "locally extinct" in most other states and rarely seen. Most freshwater mussel reproduce by releasing larvae into the water where they are taken in by fish. They get lodged into the fish tissues for a few days to a couple weeks such as fins and gills and develop into juveniles where they then fall to the river floor. Little is known about this mussels transfer into fish hosts. The main threat is the loss and degradation of it's habitat through channelization/dams which decreases current flow required for their survival, increased sedimentation, erosion, and pollution as well as sand mining and dredging which will kill off individuals. Found largely in the Meramac, gasconade, and bourbese river systems. They help to feed raccoons, minks, muskrats, otters, fish, waterfowl, ducks, geese, and other aquatic birds. Let others experience the strikingly beautiful, iridescent interior shells of these creatures and help our planet out today.

The grotto sculpin is an endangered freshwater ray finned fish found only in Missouri. 1 of the 3 known fish in the sculpin family with troglomorphism - "the morphological adaption of animals living in constant darkness" with the other 2 found in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. First documented in 1991 and listed as a unique species in 2013. Nearly blind with small eyes and tannish pale colored skin it is around 2.5 inches long and is primarily a cave dwelling fish. Feeding primarily on invertebrates such as amphipods and isopods. Predatory fish such as carp, fathead minnows, bluegill, and channel catfish were found it what little caves these fish dwell in and pose a serious risk to their survival. Household wastes, chemicals, sewage, tires, dead live stock, pesticides/herbicides all pose a risk as the area has been or still is used for dump sites and the sinkholes that are formed can form a direct connection into their water system. With high sensitivity to water quality the managing of human access into the cave systems within it's small known locations has become a conservational effort to preserve this fish. Help our planet by preventing waste from entering water ways in your area and making people aware of how the mismanagement of dump sites can pose serious risks associated with our environment and the sustainability of the planet.

The unprecedented impact of human actions only waves away the wealth that the planet can provide to each and every one of us. We discharge chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere disrupting our ozone and alter weather with the emissions of carbon dioxide. We thrive at the expense of other species and have overhunted animals all throughout history. Chopping down the landscapes and introducing nonnative plants and animals that threaten the lives of many others. We cultivate vast areas, plowing prairie fields that destroy the native animals, insects, and plants. We must realize sooner than later that our actions will ultimately be our ending fate if we do not come to terms in learning to control our desires and must slow down the progress before the planet becomes impoverished and lacks the biodiversity we need to be a truly thriving species. We ask you to help make a recovery plan or help with an already established one for your area of the world to protect the vital resources we need in order to survive and prosper.

The pallid sturgeon is a fish that is listed as critically endangered found in Missouri and the Mississippi river basin. Named for its pale coloration, it is a quite large freshwater fish averaging 85 pounds at maturity and 2.5 to 5 feet in length. Lacking the bones found in most fish and with no teeth they will suck up small fish, mollusks, and other river bottom food sources. Living as long as 50-100 years males can start to reproduce at 5-7 years old while females are capable to reproduce at 15 years of age. Originating during the cretaceous period 70 million years ago, the pallid sturgeon has changed little since then. Sightings of the young have greatly diminished and now rarely seen. The first species in the Missouri river drainage area to be listed as endangered in which lots of the Missouri rive drainage area has been channelized and dammed. The loss of its habitat is thought to be responsible for its main decline through channelization and dams primarily. It is considered to be good tasting and the eggs have been used for caviar although less than other sturgeons. Actively being raised in over a dozen hatcheries, efforts to prevent the species from going extinct has had modest success. Radio transmitters have been implanted to track movements to help identify spawning locations. Federal and state agencies are working hard to improve their habitat and to restore spawning areas. Classified in 1905, it is closely related to the common shovelnose sturgeon and the Alabama sturgeon which may soon be extinct. These 3 species belong to the subfamily Scaphirhynchinae, which has one other genus, Psuedoscaphirhynchus, that represents 3 species found in west-central Asia. Recognize the responsibilities and actions that our desires our playing out on this planet and spread the word to help those who can't tell you about their futures that ultimately effects the future of the human race.

The Ozark hellbender (Crytobranchus alleganienis bishopi) is a large, strictly aquatic salamander endemic to southern Missouri and Northeastern Arkansas in the Jack's Fork, Spring, Current, and White River waters. Reaching lengths of 11 1/2" - 20" they will often live under stones avoiding waters warmer than 20 C or 68 F. Usually, only adults are used for studies due to the high mortality rates of young. Different from its subspecies, the eastern hellbender, with smaller gill-like openings, smaller body, smooth skin in the ventral canal system along the lateral line system, heavily pigmented lower lips, dorsal blotches, and smaller spiracular openings. They are territorial, feeding primarily on crayfish at night and hiding during the day. There is a specific leech that targets the hellbender (B. Cryptobranchii) with some unknown association between the 2 creatures. Being in such a limited range it has been of critical concerns with the surreal possibility of extirpation. Since the 1980's populations have fell by roughly 70%. Because hellbenders are habitat specialists even minor changes in the habitat are a factor in the major decline of these creatures in which dams have been built along their waterways. Swimming in these waters can introduce high human waste products to enter the waters which could be a contributing factor to depleted/high oxygen levels and/or the introduction of chemicals such as deodorant, soaps, or other bodily placed/ dispersed chemicals into these water bodies. If you decide to go swimming in any water it is highly encouraged to wash these products off thoroughly from your body to avoid their introduction into our waters prior to entering any waterway. There are many factors to consider for the decline in the hellbender's populations. Commercial and non commercial collection of these creatures has been deemed illegal as it is with any endangered creature. Recent captures have shown unknown abnormalities within the creatures such as missing parts and alterations with the thought of some sort of disease being involved. Help these unique creatures from disappearing from our world by being aware of the consequences involved in our actions and their effects on the environment around us.