The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats by working with scientists, land managers, educators, policymakers, farmers, and communities. They utilize applied research, advocacy, and community building in pollinator conservation, endangered species conservation, and the reduction of pesticide use.
Category: Charities
The St. Louis Open Yards program is operated as a non-profit (even though currently privately owned) and will return all revenue after expenses to the community through a network of charities chosen directly by our landowners. Our goal is to make a direct connection between a healthy environment as supported by these landscapes and the broader community while also drawing attention to some little-known organizations.
When perusing our listings through the search engine, you will see that each landowner has selected a benefiting charity. A portion of registration revenue generated by each landscape will be given to the chosen charity at the end of the year. The Open Yards committee will also review the program’s overall financial status each winter and potentially direct a portion of net revenue to ‘hallmark’ groups such as Grow Native! or Wild Ones.
Wild Ones
Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities, supports the efforts of over 70+ local Wild Ones chapters in 23 states and offers free, professionally designed native garden templates for multiple regions in the United States.
Watershed Nature Center
The Watershed Nature Center is a partnership between the City of Edwardsville and the Nature Preserve Foundation that transformed an abandoned sewage lagoon into an oasis of biodiversity. The 40+ acre site features paved hiking trails, a raised marsh walk, and a welcome center. The Center is dedicated to providing environmental education, outdoor recreation, andRead more ⟶
The Nature Institute
The Nature Institute is a non-profit land conservation and environmental education organization based in Godfrey, IL. It fosters an awareness and appreciation of the natural world through preservation, restoration, and education. TNI owns and manages more than 450 acres of protected land, which provide unique places for the public to experience nature, and every schoolRead more ⟶
Stray Rescue
Stray Rescue was founded in 1998 to seek out and take in those animals no other organization will help or would euthanize because they are too expensive to heal. Their vision is to end needless suffering, negligence, and abuse and serve the City of St. Louis and surrounding areas with the largest inner-city animal sanctuaryRead more ⟶
Room at the Inn
Room at the Inn provides immediate, temporary shelter to homeless women and families in the St. Louis region. They empower program participants to create solutions to their homelessness through education, referrals and case management. The Inn serves 150-200 clients per year, including single mothers, single women, two-parent or single-father families. They partner with many faithRead more ⟶
Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. A national not for profit organization with leadership networks around the country. With more than 100 leaders in 56 cities across the U.S., they connect thousands of people to nature experiences, who are changing theRead more ⟶
Operation Food Search
Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization that provides free food, nutrition education and innovative programs proven to reduce food insecurity and aimed at ending childhood hunger. The agency provides food and services to 200,000 individuals on a monthly basis – one-third of whom are children – through a network of 330 community partnersRead more ⟶
Open Door Animal Sanctuary
Open Door Animal Sanctuary is the largest no-kill shelter in the greater St. Louis area and State of Missouri with a mission to provide homeless cats and dogs with the highest quality of life and a second chance to find a forever family. They take in stray, abused, neglected and otherwise unwanted cats and dogsRead more ⟶
Missouri Wildlife Rescue Center
Missouri Wildlife Rescue Center in Ballwin was founded in 1979 and annually treats over 3,000 sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife and releases healthy animals to their natural habitat. Through educational outreach the Center provides environmental awareness, promotes a harmonious relationship with native wildlife, and encourages the community to protect our delicate ecosystems.