In this week’s episode, Washington University researchers develop a cyborg locust that can detect threats, how the eurasian tree sparrow made its way to St. Louis over 150 years ago, learn why the birth of a new ape at the St. Louis Zoo is a really big deal, the reason Ameren is creating pollinator friendly fields near some of its substations, meet an artist working in a unique form of art that is a nod to nature, and a look back at the rich 50-year history of the St. Louis Literary Award and who they will be honoring this year.

Sniffing out explosives, hazards and diseases with cyborg locusts, perhaps, saving the day!
The National Science Foundation awarded the research group $4.3 million to help them develop the cyborg locusts and study odor-guided navigation.

History Spotlight: Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Over 150 years ago, one man’s homesickness led to a colony of two-dozen Eurasian tree sparrows being transplanted to St. Louis.

New Baby Orangutan at Saint Louis Zoo
There’s a new ape in town at the Saint Louis Zoo. Baby Forest, a Sumatran Orangutan, was born on December 22, 2023. Orangutans are critically endangered.

Meet the Artist: Katherine Alexander
Meet Katherine Alexander, a Pysanky artist who’s pushing the limits of this time-honored art form. Pysanky is the traditional Ukrainian art of applying meaningful colors and patterns onto eggshells through a complex and dedicated process.

Ameren Pollinator Project
Ameren has been planting native pollinator-friendly plant for more than a decade to try to attract monarch butterflies and other endangered species.

The St. Louis Literary Award
The St. Louis Literary Award has a rich history spanning more than 50 years. We look at how it all began. (Margaret Atwood footage courtesy Nine PBS.)