Fall Stream Team Meeting

La Russell Steam Team #2945 members gathered to celebrate 2007 successes and begin planning for 2008 projects today. Special Guests included the Southwest Regional AmeriCorps Stream Team Assistant and two Jasper County Missouri Department of Conservation Agents.

We discussed opportunities to introduce local elementary, intermediate and high school students to the Stream Team program. The Biology teacher at Sarcoxie High School has expressed an interest in integrating water quality testing into next years' biology curriculum. Another suggestion was inviting the Sarcoxie High School Student Council to designate the La Russell Access Point as their 2008 community service project.

The schedule for liter pickup along with prioritization of 2008 Team Projects was completed. The AmeriCorps Stream Team Assistant complimented the Team for their accomplishments and encouraged them to get an early start on the 2008 macro invertebrate survey. The Conservation Agents took the opportunity to meet all the team members and gave us instructions for reporting vandalism and violations.

Projects for 2008 include: establishing a designated native (wild flowers) area, cleaning up graffiti, cleaning up the 'old old' dump area, constructing a bacteria level advisory sign (for swimmers), and setting up a booth at the 2008 La Russell community picnic.