JRBP Stream Team Flexi #1365

Goodbye, Stream Team AmeriCorps Assistants!

2008-07-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

Tiffany Frey wanted a career change. Marina Cannon just wanted to do something positive for a while. Neither of these women had any experience with river work prior to signing up with AmeriCorps Stream Team, but both had a great desire to learn.

AmeriCorps, (a year commitment of service, sometimes referred to as ‘the domestic version of the Peace Corps’) provided the training they needed. This education, combined with their diverse experience, they tackled challenges with a fresh approach. Working on projects that ranged in size, scope and formats, the two have been “Getting Things Done” (an AmeriCorps’ slogan). From education (for small, informal groups to large, all-day festivals) to assisting stream teams, the possibities seemed limitless. This duo has also taken on new challenges as well, from teaching and implementing storm water practices, to using new media to reach a broader audience.

In an ongoing effort to combine their prior experience with current challenges, the two have placed the first StreamTeam geocache in the area to expand their outreach efforts. Geocaching is a relatively new outdoor hobby, a treasure hunt in which participants use clues and a global positioning system (gps). Geocache hunters who finds this stash will be rewarded with a free sticker, as well as information about the Stream Team program.

The pair will complete their year (Tiffany’s second) in August. Tiffany will embrace her new career, working with the James River Basin Partnership, while Marina will return to civilian life, taking with her all the rewards and lessons of her AmeriCorps Stream Team experience.

River Rescue 2008

2008-06-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

Don't Miss
River Rescue "Beer Brats and Bluegrass" Benefit Concert
June 7, 2008, 6 pm

Music by Mincks & Miller Band, Gary Gallier, and Lyal Strickland

Food and refreshments provided by Springfield Brew Co., Tyson Foods, Inc. and Johnsonville Sausage.

This year's benefit concert begins at 6 p.m., at the beautiful Ozarks Mill. We'll have bands, food and lots of fun, just bring your own chair or blanket. Admission is only $6.00 ($3.00 for the clean-up floaters wearing their River Rescue t-shirt.)

Get tickets to our raffle to win a kayak donated by Dynamic Earth (a $850.00 value) that will be given away at 8pm. All proceeds benefit the James River Basin Partnership.

Last year, $6,573.66 was raised at the benefit concert. That money partially funded various projects to help keep our waterways clean (such as soil testing, septic pump out and storm-water management). So enjoy the evening, knowing you are also helping a great cause.

See you there!

Storm Drain Marking Event

2008-05-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

It's AmeriCorps Week!

Lets Celebrate

With Some

Community Service!

Date: Thursday, May 15

Time: 5:30-7:30 pm

Place: Meet at the Discovery Center Parking Lot
Weather permitting (Conditions must be dry and over 40 degrees)

"What is AmeriCorps?" you ask. You are not alone if you don't know. In fact, that is the very reason we are having this special week, to get the word out about this great organization.

AmeriCorps is kind of like the PeaceCorps, only here, in America. Volunteers work on service projects to help with a wide range of issues, from education to housing to environment... It is a one-year commitment doing something good for your community.

But enough about me (and the other AmeriCorps volunteers, of course). To celebrate this week, we are having a make-up storm drain marking event. Our initial event was frozen out (click here for details) but this time, it's on! Well, unless it rains. Then it's off.

Storm drain markers are a great way to let people know what goes down their storm drain (not "sewer") goes straight to the river, and it carries with it all the debris, chemicals, pet waste and pollutants from the city. The last thing we need is someone to dump their used motor oil or paint thinner down there, so we have these markers.

And we stick them on the storm drain with incredibly strong glue. Then, we leave door hangers on the neighborhood doorknobs to reinforce the message. Then we smile, knowing we did a good thing, and did our AmeriCorps project proud. Come join us!

Earth Day Shoreline Clean Up Event!

2008-04-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

Join Us at Beautiful Lake Springfield!

Okay, we'll admit, our lake has seen better days. Trash everywhere, like no one cares at all. With record floods, all this trash just sort of washed down here.

This Earth Day, let's pick up that trash and make Lake Springfield beautiful again.
DATE: April 22, 2008
TIME: 1 pm - 4 pm
LOCATION: Lake Springfield, at the boathouse parking lot click here for map to Boathouse
MORE: Gloves and trashbags will be provided for the clean up. Please call 836-4847 to RSVP. If you'd like to float that day, mention it when you call so we can reserve a canoe for you! And after all that work, you'll surely be hungry, so we're bringing snacks and drinks.

What are you waiting for? Earth day is just around the corner... C'mon, give us a call! 836-4847.

The 2008 Rain Barrel Reveal Event!

2008-03-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

Wow! The barrels are back from the artists and they’re pretty amazing. See for yourself!

On May 3-4, these barrels will be “revealed” to the public at Artsfest on Walnut Street. Yep, that’s right, what you are seeing now is just a quick glimpse of the real event. They will also go up for auction on the 3 of May, so if you fall in love with a barrel now, you can bid on it soon.

But wait! Before the Rain Barrel Reveal Event, there is a preview event. All around Springfield, through the month of April, (beginning April 3) these barrels will be around. AND if you are really interested in seeing them all before they go up for auction, a quick stop at these locations will ensure you don’t miss a single barrel. They can be seen at:
Bass Pro, Battlefield Mall, Borders Books, Coffee Ethic, Cox Health Center, Gailey’s Breakfast Café, The Library Station, The Library Center, Mama Jean’s, The Moxie, Panera Bread, Springfield Nature Center, St. John’s Hospital, Well Fed Head Books

Thanks to all the artists for their time, talent and patience.

Our partners in this endeavor helped us make this event possible by sharing their space, labor and materials with us.

Special thanks to Austin's Auto Body for priming and clear coating all the barrels, Springfield Regional Arts Council for giving us a space at Artsfest and helping us with the moving, and Boy Scout Troop 24 (Jordan!) for cleaning the barrels and keeping them well-stocked with brochures, and using your muscles to help get this thing going.

What Rain Barrels Can Do

2008-01-17T09:41:00.000-08:00

These rain barrels were painted by local artists for the “Rain Barrel Reveal ’07”, an awareness-builder and fundraising event sponsored by JRBP with SRAC. Using their talents, these artists transformed these plain barrels into works of art.

Rain barrels are one of the easiest ways individuals can make a difference in the quality of our waterways. It sounds crazy, but it’s true.

Rain falls on your property, and where it can, it soaks into the ground. That water helps recharge the water table, but the rest of the water runs off your roof, your driveway, your sidewalk, etc. It goes straight into the gutters or ditches, down the storm drain and into the river. (For more about storm drains, click here.)

All of that water at once can create a bunch of problems. One problen is erosion. The added volume of water has a lot of force, and can move soil from the banks, into the river, choking the invertebrates that live between the rocks. Another big problem is pollution. The water that runs off the surfaces in the city carries with it pet waste, fertilizer, pesticides, road dust, debris, and a host of other things that can turn the river into a toxic mess.

Rain barrels can help keep some of the water out of the river by capturing it before it runs off the property. Not only that, but the captured water can be used for many purposes: gardening, washing cars, watering lawns, to name a few.

There is nothing new about rain barrels, this is old technology, rediscovered. Rain barrels were once used to collect and save water. Everyone had them. Whenever anyone needed some water, they could get it from the barrel. Modern technology made them unnecessary, it's just so much easier to get water from the hose or faucet.

But the water from the hose or faucet comes from our limited supply of water for everything. And that water has to be filtered before it reaches your home, so there is a lot of resources and energy spent on this modern convenience.

With growing concern over our limited resources, rising water bills, and increased volume of run-off from cities, the rain barrel is making a comeback. Consider installing a rain barrel this spring. Attach one to the downspout of your house and watch the barrel fill with free, usable water!

MLK Day Storm Drain Marking Event, Jan 21 POSTPONED

2008-01-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

NOTE: Due To Cold Weather, This Event Has Been Postponed Until Further Notice.

So you have the day off, and you are thinking to yourself , “Great, how can I best use this time to serve my community?”

You think hard, but come up empty.

Well, here at Stream Team Flexi #1365 headquarters, we are always thinking, always striving, and we have just the answer for you! Come join us for our “MLK Storm Drain Marking Event” (For more about storm drains, click here)

MLK Storm Drain Marking Event
Where: Meeting in the parking lot by the Discovery Center
(438 E Saint Louis St, Springfield, MO )
When: Monday, January 21, 2008, at 10 a.m.
(Note: Adhesives will work best in dry conditions, over 32 degrees. In case of precipitation or freezing conditions, this event will be cancelled.)

We will start with a short demonstration on how to mark the drain using adhesive and our pre-printed markers right there on the spot. Then, we'll show you locations in Springfield in need of markers. You can choose your spots, take a kit, and mark away! Finally, return the kit and you’re done.

Then you can relax, knowing you’ve made our world a little bit better. Your placement of this gentle reminder about storm water and where it goes will be seen for decades. Dr. King, no doubt, would be proud.

Scoop that poop!

2007-12-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

There are many different problems that can affect the quality of our waterways, but one of the most common/most preventable is right under our noses! (Let me rephrase that, and I'll get back to you). It's pet waste.

Bob Schulz (Stream Team Biologist, Ozark Region) says "Pet waste, especially from dogs, is a significant pollution problem and health problem. Some of the pathogens and parasites in their waste can affect humans, so the disposal method needs to safeguard human health, as well as guard against water pollution."

According to a recent USGS study of streams and creeks in the Kansas City region, bacteria associated with pet waste was the source of approximately one quarter of the bacteria in samples collected from local waterways!

But how does pet waste get into the river in the first place? you ask. Well, lets say you walk your dog and he does his "business" by the curb, that stuff is going to wash right down the gutter, into the storm drain, straight into the James River (or whatever waterway your storm drains empty to. Here in this area, it's the James).

Even if the waste is up in the yard, a good rain can wash it into the storm drain, bit by bit. Multiply this by the number of incidences of dog excrement, then multiply that with the number of dogs in the area, and soon you have a whole lot of untreated fecal waste entering our waterways.

And, as Bob mentioned, there is a lot of badness in pet waste. Bacteria and viruses and parasites. Leave it to wash into the river, and it becomes part of the water. Elevated levels of these things can create an environment unsuitable for recreation.

Here, look at these:

Salmonellosis: the most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans by other animals. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting and diarrhea.
Toxocariasis: roundworms usually transmitted from dogs to humans, often without noticeable symptoms, but may cause vision loss, a rash, fever or cough.
Toxoplasmosis: a parasite carried by cats that can cause birth defects if a woman becomes infected during pregnancy, and can also be a problem for people with depressed immune systems.

This just a partial list. The pet waste also feeds the algae, which then absorbs more of the oxygen, choking out the fish and other aquatic animals.

So, to keep it out of the water, dispose of it. Here are some suggestions:

Scoop it up, seal it in a plastic bag, and toss it in your trash. Admittedly, this is the least green option, but it is convenient and safe for you, and a way to reuse those plastic bags one last time. Be sure to seal the bag shut so your trash collectors are not exposed to the waste.
Scoop it into a 'flushable' bag, then flush when you get home. Unlike the storm water, the water from your toilet goes to a sewage treatment plant. (NOTE: Biodegradable is not the same as flushable, so check to make sure you have the right kind if you are planning to flush it)
Create a doggie septic system, if you are feeling really inspired. It isn't as hard as it you might think: http://www.plantea.com/dog-waste-compost.htm
Bury it. 6-12 inches seems to be the going depth. Much like the doggie septic system, this will allow the natural break down of the waste into the soil, not the storm water runoff, and the harmful bacteria will be neutralized.

When dealing with pet waste, keep in mind that it can be dangerous stuff and act with all due care. Do not bury it near or use it for your vegetable garden. Minimize your contact with the waste. Wash your hands afterwards.

Some people may try to use a traditional composting method for non-food producing gardens, but this can be risky, as these types of compost piles may require more maintenence/more contact, thus increasing your exposure to potential diseases.

Of course, its up to you. Choose the method that works best for you, but please, scoop up that poop.

Storm Water

2007-11-26T16:03:00.000-08:00

Did you know that storm water, the water that runs off the street and down the gutters, that water goes straight to our river? Yep.

Many people believe that water runs to a treatment plant. I thought it did. But it doesn't.

The thing is, if someone believes the water gets treated somewhere, they might also think it is a good place to get rid of household chemicals, pet waste or used oil. They might not worry about what effect their action will have, and assume it is being handled.

It isn't.

But there is something you can do! By placing a small sign permanently on the storm drain, you alert people to the fact that this water goes directly to the James River. Walkers will see your handiwork and say to themselves "Hmm, I had no idea this water went straight to the James. I thought it was a sewer, as in, to the sewage plant. Interesting."

If you want to help, here's how. Look around your neighborhood for storm drains in need of markers (which is, they don't have one already). Let us know how many storm drains you think you'd like to mark. We will compile a kit for you with everything you'll need to do your own marking, as well as step-by-step instructions. It's simple, fast, and you'll feel good knowing your action may have kept a little pollution out of the James.

If you're interested, please call the office, or send an email. We'll hook you up!

marinacannon@missouristate.edu

Invitation

2007-11-13T10:03:00.000-08:00

You are cordially invited to join our Stream Team.
Watch for posts about different stream monitoring events, then come join us. It will be fun and rewarding.

If you would like to learn more about stream teams, visit: http://www.mostreamteam.org

If you would like to know more about the James River Basin Partnership, visit: http://www.jrbp.missouristate.edu/
Sign up for our quarterly newsletter, while you’re there. You can get the electronic version in your email!

If you have any Stream Team questions, call us (417) 836-3756 or (417) 836-8879

Introducing... Stream Team Flexi

2007-11-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

Stream teams do so much good for the community. They pick up litter, monitor the water, and generally keep an eye on things. Because they send in their data, there is a constant record of the conditions at each location, problems can be spotted early on, and corrected before it becomes a major water issue, thanks to the work of these dedicated volunteers.

Many people start their own team, either with friends or family. Maybe there's a favorite fishing hole, or a place where family always meets for picnics, the portion of the stream that a team adopts is up to them. They may just pick up the litter that they see, or they may go further and attend training in water quality monitoring.

At the James River Basin Partnership, we have our own Stream Team. We are trained to level 2 (well, Tiff is. I am just at level 1, at the moment.) Periodically, we go out to our four sites and monitor them. Sometimes we check the invertebrates or test for chemicals, sometimes we pick up litter. But up until now, we've been doing it on our own. Then someone had this great idea to let ANYONE join in. To be a member of our team, all you have to do is show up. You don't need any prior training, just an interest in the water and a willingness to help.

We welcome you to join our team, whether it is for a single visit, a refresher course for your own team, or if you just want to be part of our gang. It will be interesting, fun, and always, an adventure.