Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
An Environmental Journey: Tales of Tragedy and Hope From the Heartland
Or Click here to watch the recording of this presentation on YouTube.
Loring Bullard is an author and environmentalist who has dedicated much of his life to promoting environmental health, protecting water resources, and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. In his latest book, An Environmental Journey: Tales of Tragedy and Hope From the Heartland, Loring presents a deep understanding of Missouri's environmental challenges--and what it will take to overcome them.
Throughout his presentation, Loring shares a brief environmental history of Missouri while weaving in personal lessons learned, sustainability initiatives, and where we go from here.
This presentation originally took place on February 10th, 2026 at the Riechmann Indoor Pavilion in Stephens Lake Park, Columbia, MO.
Hosted by Missouri River Relief
Meet Your Presenter
Loring Bullard
, Author and Environmentalist
For twenty-three years, Loring served as Executive Director for the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, a non-profit organization working to protect sources of public drinking water for Springfield and Greene County, Missouri. Prior to that, he worked in environmental health for thirteen years, and now serves as a watershed consultant for the James River Basin Partnership. He taught environmental science and aquatic biology at Drury University, has a Master’s degree in Natural and Applied Science from Missouri State University, and currently serves on the boards of two non-profit organizations, Ozark Land Trust and DarkSky Missouri. Loring has a lifelong love of water and enjoys canoeing and fishing on Ozark streams. He is married to Beth, has two grown daughters, six grandchildren, and lives in Springfield.
Loring has published many books and articles, including:
- An Environmental Journey: Tales of Tragedy and Hope from the Heartland, Ozark Studies Institute, Missouri State University, 2025
- Saving Bull Creek, Ozark Studies Institute, 2024
- Living Waters: The Springs of Missouri, Ozark Studies Institute, 2020
- Consider the Source: A History of the Springfield, Missouri Public Water Supply, Watershed Press, 2005
- Healing Water: Missouri’s Historic Mineral Springs and Spas, University of Missouri Press, 2004
- The Springs of Greene County, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, 2001
- May Day on the Finley, in Missouri Conservationist, 2009
- Missouri: The Spring State, in Missouri Conservationist, 2002
- Viva le Dolomieu: Defining Ozark Streams through Fish and Fossil, in Missouri Conservationist, 2015
- Missouri Salt: The Rise and Fall of a Frontier Industry, in Missouri Historical Review, 2012
- Louis vs. Chicago: The Water Pollution Case of 1900-1906, in Missouri Historical Review, 2023
- A Historied Creek: Springfield’s Jordan Creek, in Missouri Resources, 2008
- Source to Tap: History of Missouri Public Drinking Water Supplies, in Missouri Resources, 2010
- Healing Springs: Missouri’s Historic Mineral Springs and Spas, in Missouri Resources, 2002
- The Water Battle of 1900-1906: St. Louis v. Chicago, in Missouri Resources, 2013
- Natural Resource Protection—1904, in Missouri Resources, 2005
Related Presentations
Resources & Links
For more information on this topic, check out these resources:
Upcoming Presentations
Missouri River Relief: 25 Years on the Big Muddy
November 10, 2026Columbia, MO
Join us for a journey through time celebrating 25 years of Missouri River Relief's work on the Big Muddy.
See Event
Plastic Pollution, Gulf Hypoxia, and Water Quality
November 11, 2026St Charles, MO
Jennifer Wendt from MidAmerica Clean Future guides us through understanding regional water quality challenges.
See Event