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Continued on page 2Did You Know . . . ?

Farewell, Randy Sarver

Don’t Wait!

VWQM Intro Workshops

Monitoring Minute:Time To Get Buggy

Team Snapshots

Riffle Review

Teams in Action Team Calendar

Activity Report

Activity Prize Winners

Congratulations Larry Ruff

INSIDE2

3

457

THIS ISSUE

8 Congratulations:Missouri Stewardship Program Milestones

Coalition Corner:Paddle MO 2018

Information for and about Missouri Stream Teams ▪ March/April 2018

By Randy Sarver, DNR VWQM Coordinator

5704Stream Teams

Strong!

Coming soon: water quality monitoring volunteers will be recording water transparency in centimeters rather than measuring turbidity in Nephelometric Turbidity Units.

Changing the VWQM Program

Change is often troublesome, but some-times necessary. The Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring (VWQM) Program

has decided it is worthwhile to change the measurement of turbidity to transparency ofwater. Please think of this article as an intro-duction to that change. The actual change will happen later this year. At that time we will announce a modification to the chemistry data sheet, begin teaching the measurement of water transparency, convert old measurements in the VWQM database, and provide new self-adhesive scales to place over the Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) scale on existing clear plastic tubes. Our old way to measure water turbidity was based on an optical measurement using NTUs. To do this, a logarithmic NTU scale was adhered to the side of a 60-centimeter clear plastic tube. The previous instructions were to fill the tube with stream water and slowly release water until the small black and white Secchi disc at the bottom of the tube was just barely visible, and record the number along the top of the water. Actually, the way the tubes are used will remain the same. However, the scale will be different. The new scale will be a simple 60-centimeter scale, with the 0 mark at the Secchi disc and the 60-centimeter mark near the top of the tube. If the Secchi disc can be seen when the water is at the top of the tube, the result will be reported as 60 centimeters. Otherwise, the scale will be read to the nearest centimeter when the Secchi disc becomes visible. You might be curious why we are making this change. The main reason is our desire to use a more accurate and broadly used measurement

Measurement of Turbidity

unit. NTU turbidity should actually be measured with an instrument called a nephelometer, which detects light scattered by a water sample, usually at 90 degrees to a light beam. Turbidity measured in NTUs is often used as a rough index of the fine suspended sediment content of the water, but it is not a direct measurement of water transparency. Over time, the idea of using the NTU scale on the clear tubes to estimate turbidity was replaced by a centimeter scale to directly measure water transparency. Reduced transparency can influence the behavior of visual aquatic predators such as fish and birds, decrease light penetration for aquatic plants, impact safe recreation, and alter the aesthetic quality of a waterbody. All active water quality monitors with turbidity tubes will receive new adhesive scales and instructions for the transition to transparency in 2018.

New Address, Phone, Email?

Reach out to us at streamteam@mdc.mo.gov

or 800-781-1989 (voicemail).

Please help us keep your contact

info up-to-date.

Channels 2 March/April 2018

VWQM Intro WorkshopsSee our Team Calendar on page 4 and register soon!

have been scheduled!

Don’t wait ‘til the last minuteUse your Stream Team Reporting Kit

or submit online at mostreamteam.org.

to turn in your 2017 activities.

Missouri streams thank you for all your hard work!We want to hear from you whether you did a little or a lot!

Time To Get Buggy For SpringBy Jenna Steik, MDC Stream Team Biologist

Continued on page 3. . . that blue-green algae . . .

It is that time of year again to start collecting your macroinvertebrates. Volunteers are

encouraged to complete biological monitoring for macroinvertebrates twice a year, once with foliage present (fall) and once with foliage absent (spring). Spring is arriving soon and now would be an excellent time to head to the creek and enjoy spending some time in nature. Numerous macroinvertebrates can be found in streams throughout Missouri, but some are difficult to identify due to their size, color variation, and habitat location. However, the Stream Team VWQM Program offers excellent resources for assisting volunteers with identifying the wide array of invertebrates that can be found in the field. Resources we provide include the blue bug card, critter cards, a visual dichotomous Key to River Life, and the Macroinvertebrate Guide Book. These resources include drawings, diagrams, images, and written descriptions of the macroinvertebrates you might find when sampling. Laminating the reference sheets can make them more durable for use in the field. You can order these references by contacting Stream Team staff or by asking for them on activity reports. In addition to the resources listed above, you can find these materials on the Missouri Stream Team website (mostreamteam.org) under the Water Quality Monitoring tab: Water Quality Monitoring Resources, and click on the Macroinvertebrate Photos section. This section also includes a VWQM Invertebrate Chart that provides a checklist of characteristics to look for when identifying your bugs. Another factor that helps volunteers to identify macroinvertebrates is to create a reference collection of specimens to study at home. You can learn how to preserve specimens on the Water Quality Monitoring Resources page of the website to guide you with your collections. Learning to identify macroinvertebrates takes time and will come easier with each monitoring visit. The Stream Team Program also encourages volunteers to take photographs of any invertebrate they are not able to identify in the field and send the photo to Stream Team staff for assistance. Get ready to enjoy the outdoors and collecting macroinvertebrates!

I wanted to take this opportunity to say goodbye to the Stream Team Program. Many

volunteers have touched my life and I have truly enjoyed my time as a Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator. I will stay employed with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR); however, my new position will be as the MS4 Program Stormwater Coordinator. In my new position there will be many opportunities for growth and learning, and I am referring to

Farewell, Randy Sarver

this change as a “molt.” Maybe you need to be an invertebrate “geek” like me to understand the figurative reference, but basically it refers to shedding your skin to make room for growth. During the last six years I feel that the VWQM Program has made progress. I don’t take credit for this since there is no VWQM Program without dedicated volunteers. And, I have constantly been amazed with your dedication. Together we have collected better data and made improvements in acceptability and use of data. A new quality control program has been instituted for colorimeters and improvements have been made to the Cooperative Stream Investigation (CSI) Program. Nineteen CSI projects have been completed with resulting E. coli, chloride, nitrogen, phosphorus, temperature, conductivity, and pH data that is comparable to DNR professional level data. As a result of projects and workshops, I believe more volunteers and professionals feel confident about VWQM Program data and its use. Data use leads to better protection of rivers and streams. Those rivers and streams are very important to me; not to mention the integrity of our ecosystem. Keep your passion and thank you for all you do. I’ll see you on the river.

Team Snapshots The Riffle Reviewa bi-monthly glimpse of Stream Team activities

Check out more highlights below . . .

Since our last issue of Channels, Stream Team members reported:l 107.53 tons of trash collectedl 224 water quality monitoring trips l 1,058 trees planted

l 896 total activities l 9,238 total participants l 36,610 total hours

Continued on page 4. . . that can cause . . .

The Missouri S&T Water Environment Federation (WEF) Team enjoyed a warm November day performing their fall monitoring on Beaver Creek. They forgot to bring their depth measuring stick, but, being the resourceful students from an engineering school that they are, they were able to carry on by simply making a new depth rod on the fly.

Team 1293

Branden Gauchat spent a warm weekend in December during the Super Moon on the Current River, picking up three bags of trash over two days, observing 15 eagles and collecting an abandoned hornet’s nest fully intact. “It’s hard to explain how quiet and peaceful it was,” said Brandon, adding, “I love the Ozarks!”

Team 2301

March/April 2018 3 Channels

More than 50 volunteers came out to help beautify the community surrounding Belleau Creek in St. Charles as part of National Make a Difference Day. Scouts, schools, and businesses attended and collectively picked up more than a quarter ton of trash. Thank you for really making a difference!

Team 2667

Debbie Miller participated in a cleanup at Cliff Cave Park along the Mississippi River and collected eight bags of trash, including an 1880s soda bottle made in St. Louis. Now that’s a trash treasure!

Team 3419

It was a chilly day well below freezing, but that didn’t stop the River Rovers from bringing together “a new and willing group of older generation,” said Dawna Daigle. The not-too-shabby tally from the Big River that day included 26 tires, 24 green bags, 2 TVs, and a treadmill.

Team 4473

Howardville Jumpstart teamed up with Caruthersville Middle School to clean up areas around the Little River in New Madrid County. “With so many dinners for Thanksgiving, no one was hungry – they only wanted water! Guess who was smiling,” said Vannessa Frazier.

Team 1617

Biodiversity Field Day for Master Naturalists included a water quality trip to the confluence of Bald Ridge Creek and the Big Piney River with Team 3481. A great learning opportunity!

The first cleanup on the Mississippi River for the River Trails Group was a smashing success! They picked up a 16-foot trailer full of trash, including three tires, two bathroom vanities, five TVs, and lots of furniture pieces, all so they can help establish a river trail site and improve the riverfront for others to enjoy.

Team 5628

This happy little helper and 47 additional volunteers with Team 5617 filled four dumpsters with trash from Pomme de Terre Lake, plus 35 tires. Well done!

The Crane Family kayaked the less-traveled Blackwater River south of I-70 to County Road 241 in Cooper County, picking up two bags of trash along the way. Great way to make the most of a balmy December day!

Team 874

Students from Washington University had the privilege of experiencing Pickle Creek in Hawn State Park by sampling for macroinvertebrates and chemistry. “One student said he was amazed by how much diversity is hidden between the rocks of the creek just by looking at it,” said Rachel Becknell, adding, “They all walked away with a greater appreciation for stream health and hope to receive the training themselves!”

Team 4744

Team H3D participated in the Pomme De Terre Lake cleanup and noted, “Our youngest member Emery, age 6, picked up the most bags in our group as well as two tires and a plastic chair. She also found two box turtles,” said Billie Henderson. A true natural Stream Teamer!

Team 5651

The Raft Riding River Ducks (Team 5196) collected 26 bags of trash including 16 pairs of sunglasses and lots of Mardi Gras beads from the Elk River in just 8.5 miles. Whoa!

One advantage to being a member of the Conservation Leadership Corps (Team 5320) is an annual float trip and cleanup on a beautiful Ozark stream. The Current River thanks you for your service!

By Cori Westcott, Stream Team 3491 CALENDARTEAM

. . . harmful algal blooms . . .Continued on page 7

Channels 4 March/April 2018

MARCH

APRIL

Remember to check online at mostreamteam.org for changes and

updates to the Team calendar!

Teams in action!

Two VWQM legends, Bob Jung and Darlene Haun, founded the Grand

Glaize Creek Assessment Project (GGCAP) in 2006 (Team 3491). This west St. Louis County watershed incorporates several communities. It was, and still is, a “co-op” of about 30 VWQM volunteers who monitor sites on tributaries of Grand Glaize Creek and the main channel just above the

major confluences. With each monitoring event, a data spreadsheet is sent to all the volunteers. The objective is to gather and record the data before submitting it to the state so they can compare their findings. It also offers us a history of the health of the creek. I’ve been coordinating the project since Darlene moved to Springfield in 2012.

3 The Mighty 211 Wintertime Cleanup, Arnold. Contact Brian at 314-606-0755 to learn more.

3 VWQM Introductory Workshop, Salem. Register online at mostreamteam.org.

3 VWQM Introductory Workshop, Marble Hill. Register online at mostreamteam.org.

9-10VWQM Introductory Workshops, Wildwood. Register online at mostreamteam.org.

10 Operation Clean Stream Winter Cleanup on the Lower Meramec, St. Louis. Visit

ocswintercleanup18.eventbrite.com to register. 17 VWQM Introductory Workshop, Branson. Register

online at mostreamteam.org.21 Invasive Species Removal, Native Planting, and Litter

Pickup, Washington. Contact Stefanie at riverstef@gmail.com to join the event.24 8th Annual Pickup Boonville. Contact Matt at pickup.boonville@gmail.com for more information.24 3rd Annual Linear Park Cleanup, Raymore. Visit sgrwa.org to learn more.24 Confluence Trash Bash, St. Louis. Choose your site

and register at greenwaynetwork.org.24 VWQM Introductory Workshop, Lee’s Summit.

Register online at mostreamteam.org.31 Rock Bridge Spring Monitoring Blitz, Columbia.

Contact Lynne at 573-886-4491 to learn more.

2 Greenway Network monthly board meeting, St. Peters. Call 636-498-0772 to find out more.7 28th Annual Project Blue River Rescue, Kansas City.

Register by emailing folnc@crn.org.7 Table Rock Lake Shoreline Cleanup. For more

information call 417-739-5001 or email contact@ozarkwaterwatch.org.7 Osage River Cleanup, Bonnots Mill. Visit riverrelief.org for more information.7 Mission Clean Stream, St. Louis area. Choose your

cleanup site online at greenwaynetwork.org.14 Kimmswick Kleanup, Kimmswick. Contact Kim at

314-930-1739 or softballmom208@yahoo.com for more information.

14 VWQM Introductory Workshop, Bowling Green. Register online at mostreamteam.org.

20 Lake of the Ozarks Shoreline Cleanup, Osage Beach. Visit lowatershed.com to learn more.

21 VWQM Introductory Workshop, St. Peters. Register online at mostreamteam.org.

25 Busch Creek Cleanup, Washington. Contact Stefanie at riverstef@gmail.com to register.

28 Rock Creek Water Quality Monitoring at Mastodon State Park. For questions, call Zoe at 314-497-2373.

A shallow pool on Grand Glaize Creek at Siebert Park, cluttered with oak leaves leaching dark tannins into the water, making the water appear much darker than usual.

Winter’s Drought & the GGCAP

This winter’s drought revealed the value of our coordinated efforts. When Eileen Collins, the director of Manchester Parks and Recreation called to report a sighting of dark water at Seibert Park, I already suspected the presence of decaying leaves in standing water. My husband and I had just recorded that a site downstream of Seibert Park had dried up. I met with DNR’s Environmental Emergency Response’s On-Scene Coordinator Skip Ricketts and collected a turbidity reading. My turbidity tube showed the dark water was actually clear. Seibert’s section of the Grand Glaize was loaded in decaying oak leaves leaching high levels of tannin, a naturally occurring brownish polyphenol compound found in plants, seeds, bark, wood, leaves, and fruit skins. Skip called this water “tannin soup.” When Skip and I parted ways at Seibert Park, I met with Eileen. I reported on the turbidity tube’s results and the dry creek bed we had recently found downstream. I shared Michael Smith’s chemical data he collected from Seibert a couple days before. The 18% oxygen saturation Michael found suggested little or no flow. I assured her that water with tannin is still safe for wildlife to drink.1 I left their office fully appreciative of the value of our coordinated efforts in the GGCAP.

Downstream site almost completely dried up due to very little rainfall this winter.

1 According to Fairfax County, Virginia. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/stormwater/whats-stuff-stream

March/April 2018 5 Channels

Activity Order Activity Report

Stream Team Number________________________________

Team Name__________________________________________

Your Name_________________________________________Shipping Address (no PO Box)

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Missouri Stream Team Activity ReportHome Phone (_________)____________-__________________

Work Phone (_________)____________-__________________

Email_______________________________________________

Contact Person for Team______________________________Is there a change in Contact Person? Yes NoIs there a change in Contact Person address? Yes NoIf yes, new address___________________________________

______________________________________________________

Mail this Activity Report to:MISSOURI STREAM TEAMPO BOX 180JEFFERSON CITY MO 65102-0180

We welcomeyour activity photos.

They may be published in our newsletter or annual report.

Thank you!

Stream Team Activity List

Report more activities on back!

Activity Type (see codes at right) _________________________

Activity Date________________________________________

Stream Name________________________________________

Activity County______________________________________

Activity Basin (optional)__________________________________

Miles of River Covered (optional)___________________________

Count of Volunteers__________________________________

Hours Spent on Project _______________________________

Measurement: Please list number of trash bags collected, trees planted, letters written, storm drains stencilled, WQM trips, etc. See list at right.

_____________________________________________

Location Description: Please provide a detailed location for your activity. Example: 100 yds. downstream from Hwy. 63 bridge over Cedar Creek a mile south of River City. A good source for maps is at www.usgs.gov.

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Project Description: Please describe your activity and include some fun facts. Example: “Held 4th annual litter pickup and picnic at Brush Creek, found an awesome antique bottle, removed 3 tires, saw an eagle!”

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Stream Team Activity 1

Thank You ItemsThese free incentives are for your

Stream Team volunteersNumber

requestedBookmarks (dragonfly)

Bookmarks (spring peeper)

Bumper Stickers (Quality Water, 3 1/2” x 9 1/4”)

Cell Phone Wallets (Stream Team, stick-on)

Colorbook: Stream Team Most Wanted (Grade 4-6)

Colorbook: Stream Team Superstars (Grade K-3)

Ink Pens (Stream Team)

Keychains (Stream Team, floating)

Koozies (Stream Team)

Magnets (Stream Team, 2” x 3 1/2”)

Mini Buttons (Stream Team, 1”)

Mood Cups (Steam Team logo)

Patches (Stream Team, Scouts only, 3”)

Pencils (Get Into Missouri Streams)

Post-it Notes (Stream Team, 3” x 4”)

Scratch Pads (Stream Team, 5 1/2” x 8”)

Stickers “Get Into Missouri Streams” (3” round)

Stickers “I Love Missouri Streams” (3” round)

Tattoo (Stream Team logo)

T-shirts (Stream Team) S____ M____ L____ XL____ XXL____

Activity Prize DrawingThe more activities you submit, the better your chances!

New prizes every three months! Check one

If you would like to be included in our Activity Prize Drawing, please check the box at right and attach a list of participant names. Please print clearly.

Attention teachers and youth group leaders: For a youth group prize, please check the box at right. You do not need to include a participant list for group prizes.

Youth Group Prize

or

These free supplies are for your Stream Team activities

Numberrequested

First Aid Kits (limit one per 5-10 participants)

Litter Pickup Bags (green mesh 24” x 36”)

Litter Pickup Bags (red mesh 14” x 26”)

Work Gloves (adult size)

Work Gloves (youth size)

Supply Items

If you order in advance, please don’t forget to report your accomplishments AFTER your event.

Activity Code MeasurementAdopt-An-Access AAA New access adopted

Advocacy on stream issue ADV Number of events

Article written for publicaton ART Number of articles

Assisted MDC fish stocking FIS Number of events

Award received AWA Number of awards

Education project EDU Number of events

Forestkeepers monitoring FOR Number of trips

GPS reading GPS Number of trips

Grant applied/received GRT Number of projects

Greenway development GRE Number of projects

Habitat improvement HAI Number of projects

Letter written on stream issue LET Number of letters

Litter pickup LPU Number of litter bags

Media contact/interview MED Number of interviews

Monofilament recycling MRP Weight of line recycled

Other: please describe OTH Number of projects

Photo-point monitoring PPM Number of photos

Pre-activity planning PLN Number of events

Presentation to groups PRE Number of presentations

Rain garden/barrel, green roof NPS Number of projects

Recruited new Team/members REC Number of new members

ST Association activity ASC Number of events

ST display at school, fair, etc. DIS Number of events

ST Inventory Guide submitted INV Number of inventories

Storm drain stenciling SDS Number of drains marked

Stream access maintenance SAM Number of litter bags/events

Stream Team meeting MTG Number of attendees

Stream Team mentoring MEN Team mentored & events

Stream workshop attended WKS Number of attendees

Streambank stabilization SSP Number of projects

Tree planting PLT Number of trees

Water quality monitoring WQM Number of trips

Watershed mapping WAT Number of trips

Zebra mussel monitoring ZEB Number of trips

Please helpsave shipping costs. Ship to your office

or school.

Please allow 3 weeks shipping.

Is this a business address? Yes No

Channels 6 March/April 2018

Stream Team Activity ListMissouri Stream Team Activity Report continued

Activity Type (see codes at right) _________________________

Activity Date________________________________________

Stream Name________________________________________

Activity County______________________________________

Activity Basin (optional)___________________________________

Miles of River Covered (optional)____________________________

Count of Volunteers__________________________________

Hours Spent on Project _______________________________

Measurement: Please list number of monitoring trips, bags of trash collected, letters written, trees planted, storm drains stencilled, events held, etc. See list at right.

_____________________________________________

Location Description: Please provide a detailed location for your activity. Example: 100 yds. downstream from Hwy. 63 bridge over Brush Creek a mile south of River City. A good source for maps is at www.usgs.gov.

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Project Description: Please describe your activity and include some fun facts. Example: “Held 4th annual litter pickup and picnic at Brush Creek, found an awesome antique bottle, removed 3 tires, saw an eagle!”

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Stream Team Activity 3Activity Type (see codes at right) _________________________

Activity Date________________________________________

Stream Name________________________________________

Activity County______________________________________

Activity Basin (optional)___________________________________

Miles of River Covered (optional)____________________________

Count of Volunteers__________________________________

Hours Spent on Project _______________________________

Measurement: Please list number of monitoring trips, bags of trash collected, letters written, trees planted, storm drains stencilled, events held, etc. See list at right.

_____________________________________________

Location Description: Please provide a detailed location for your activity. Example: 100 yds. downstream from Hwy. 63 bridge over Brush Creek a mile south of River City. A good source for maps is at www.usgs.gov.

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Project Description: Please describe your activity and include some fun facts. Example: “Held 4th annual litter pickup and picnic at Brush Creek, found an awesome antique bottle, removed 3 tires, saw an eagle!”

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Stream Team Activity 2

Your activitiespower the Stream Team Program!

Thank you!

Questions?Need help getting started?Please contact us at:Phone: 1-800-781-1989 (voicemail)Email: streamteam@mdc.mo.govWebsite: www.mostreamteam.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/mostreamteamsFax: 573/526-0990

Thank you for volunteering to help Missouri’s waterways.

If you ordered supplies in advance, please don’t forget to report your accomplishments AFTER your event.

The Stream Team Program needs your final results!

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional notes and information

Activity Code MeasurementAdopt-An-Access AAA New access adopted

Advocacy on stream issue ADV Number of events

Article written for publicaton ART Number of articles

Assisted MDC fish stocking FIS Number of events

Award received AWA Number of awards

Education project EDU Number of events

Forestkeepers monitoring FOR Number of trips

GPS reading GPS Number of trips

Grant applied/received GRT Number of projects

Greenway development GRE Number of projects

Habitat improvement HAI Number of projects

Letter written on stream issue LET Number of letters

Litter pickup LPU Number of litter bags

Media contact/interview MED Number of interviews

Monofilament recycling MRP Weight of line recycled

Other: please describe OTH Number of projects

Photo-point monitoring PPM Number of photos

Pre-activity planning PLN Number of events

Presentation to groups PRE Number of presentations

Rain garden/barrel, green roof NPS Number of projects

Recruited new Team/members REC Number of new members

ST Association activity ASC Number of events

ST display at school, fair, etc. DIS Number of events

ST Inventory Guide submitted INV Number of inventories

Storm drain stenciling SDS Number of drains marked

Stream access maintenance SAM Number of litter bags/events

Stream Team meeting MTG Number of attendees

Stream Team mentoring MEN Team mentored & events

Stream workshop attended WKS Number of attendees

Streambank stabilization SSP Number of projects

Tree planting PLT Number of trees

Water quality monitoring WQM Number of trips

Watershed mapping WAT Number of trips

Zebra mussel monitoring ZEB Number of trips

March/April 2018 7 Channels

. . . is actually a . . .Continued on page 8

Please keep sending us your Activity Reports . . .YOU might win NEXT!

S Polaroid Water Proof 16MP CameraS Himalayan Salt LampS Swiss Gear BackpackS Coleman Stainless Steel Sports BottleS Silent Spring BookS 4 Nature Card Set by Gail RowleyS Youth Prize: Amazon Gift Card

1st Quarter Prizes

Each year, the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (MOAFS)

recognizes an individual not directly employed in the aquatic field for their outstanding contributions to our aquatic resources. Stream Team staff are excited to announce Larry Ruff (Team 463) as the recipient of the 2018 MOAFS Lee Redmond Citizen’s Award, which was presented at the annual Missouri Natural Resources Conference. Larry has over 25 years of substantial contributions to the aquatic resources of Missouri through education and

Larry Ruff accepted the Lee Redmond Citizen’s Award on February 1, 2018.

Activity Prize Drawing

stewardship activities. When he became the Science Department Chairperson at Francis Howell High School in 1992, he quickly realized there was a lack of hands-on, science-based curriculum, so he co-authored the design for an Environmental Studies course. While seeking supplies and materials needed to implement the course, Larry discovered Stream Team, formed Stream Team 374 as Francis Howell North Environmental Studies, and attended workshops held by the fledgling VWQM Program that had just begun taking flight. His students gained a greater appreciation for Spencer Creek as they performed regular monitoring and worked with the City of St. Peters to label every storm drain in the watershed. Over the years, Larry continued to attend VWQM classes and provide his students with valuable experiences in stream stewardship activities. After retiring in 2000, he became more involved with Greenway Network (Team 463) and expanded his monitoring efforts on Dardenne Creek in St. Charles County, introducing hundreds of volunteers to the Stream Team Program. Larry also helped create the semi-annual Dardenne Day monitoring event which brings volunteers together to monitor 23 sites at each road crossing on Dardenne Creek in a single day. Some of Larry’s additional contributions for the benefit of Missouri streams include:• Co-authoring an EPA grant allowing the incorporation of Stream Team activities into

schools across St. Louis County, resulting in thousands of students having hands-on experience caring for area streams;

• Playing a major part in in the EPA’s assessment of Dardenne Creek and its listing on the 303(d) list, resulting in numerous best management practices becoming implemented in the watershed, which ultimately led to reduced sediment inputs and de-listing of six miles of stream;

• Supplying 17 years of consistent data for Dardenne Creek by submitting nearly 1,800 data collections from 73 sites;

• Facilitating, in partnership with the Division of Environmental Health and Protection, the recruitment of volunteers to mark all 9,000+ storm drains in St. Charles County;

• Reporting 75,184 hours of dedicated volunteer service on behalf of Missouri’s stream resources.

Congratulations, Larry! Your achievements are an inspiration for us all.To learn more about the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and how to get involved, visit moafs.org. Previous active Stream Team members who have been honored with the Lee Redmond Citizen’s Award include Diane Oerly (Team 2489), Regina Van Patten (Team 2452), McKenzie Creek Piedmont City (Team 2226), Melody Torrey (Team 725), Scott Dye (Team 714), and Ken Midkiff (Team 397).

4th Quarter Prize WinnersDrew Lane – Rolla, MO

Team 4443 – The Stone Rollers

Claire Schosser – St. Louis, MOTeam 3553 – Living Green in Watkins

Creek Watershed

Helen Johnson – Rolla, MOTeam 3713 – Dry Fork ACOA Project

Joe Coelho – Lewistown, MOTeam 2608 – Quincy University

Greg Poleski – St. Louis, MOTeam 463 – Greenway Network, Inc.

Sharon White – Barnhart, MOTeam 5547 – LJ’s Crew

Nancy Pfeiffer – Pacific, MOTeam 2871 – Pacific High School DECA

Congratulations Larry Ruff

Channels 8 March/April 2018

News from Stream Teams UnitedCoalition Corner

Stream Teams United is excited to announce the dates for Paddle MO 2018: September 19 - 23, 2018!

Take part in this adventure down the last 100 miles of the Missouri River, starting in Hermann, Missouri, and ending at the confluence as North America’s longest river meets the Mississippi River. Along the way, explore riverside small towns, learn about Missouri River history, and enjoy locally-sourced food from the Missouri River Valley. Registration is open now and limited to the first 100 participants. Paddlers can choose to float the entire five days or can opt for just the weekend trip. Your Paddle MO registration fee is all-inclusive for five days and includes a T-shirt, boat decal, journal with maps and river descriptions, camping with facilities beginning September 18, daily transportation, gear transportation, meals, entertainment, activities, educational opportunities, insurance, and special swag from our sponsors. Add-ons are available, such as a seat in the 12-person June Bug canoe guided by Big Muddy Mike, kayak and canoe rental, and various beginning and end-of-trip shuttling options. We are working to change aspects of the trip to keep it interesting for returning paddlers, while also keeping the unique features. This fall, full-week paddlers will start on Wednesday

By Brooke Widmar, Stream Teams United Operations Manager

. . . type of bacteria ?See Fact Sheet #30 for more information!

Save the Dates: Paddle MO 2018

at Hermann Riverfront Park and the weekend paddlers will join the group in St. Charles, giving everyone the opportunity to experience popular educational stops like Pelican Island and the breathtaking and exhilarating confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Exciting new education features and topics will be added, directed by Bill and Jody Miles of Earth’s Classroom (Team 1419). What are past participants saying about the trip?

● “[Paddle MO] makes me accept a more direct relationship with [the Missouri] River, with more of a concern for its welfare.” –– 2017 Paddler

● “I look forward to returning to the Missouri River and enjoying it with my new found friends.” –– 2016 Paddler

● “A wonderfully memorable week filled with scenery, education, and fun.” –– 2017 Paddler

Secure your place for this unique journey now at PaddleMO.org!

Congratulations!These Missouri stewardship programs are celebrating significant milestones in 2018!

No MOre Trash! –– 15 Years!Stream Team Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring –– 25 Years!Adopt-A-Highway –– 30 Years!