What's new at Valley Water Mill
Building Project Update
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YMCA Summer Odyssey
The Ozarks Regional YMCA helped a lot of kids experience the Ozarks at the Watershed Center this summer through their “Summer Odyssey” program. Summer Odyssey is similar to a day camp and is based out of schools throughout Springfield. Many of these locations came to the Watershed Center for a field trip where the students experienced nature while learning important, age appropriate information about water.
The educational experience was facilitated by Missouri State students volunteering through the Citizenship and Service Learning (CASL) program. Some of the highlights for campers and volunteers alike were hiking trails, visiting the cool water of the South Dry Sac, and taking advantage of teachable moments along the way.
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Forestry Learning Station
Have you heard of Aldo Leopold? He was an American ecologist, forester and environmentalist. He was also very influential in the development of modern environmental ethics and in the movement for wilderness preservation.
I think Aldo would have been proud of our new Forestry Learning Station at the Watershed Center. The Learning Station is located just off the Doline Loop trail, on the edge of a pronounced sinkhole in the upland forest. Using a grant from the LAD foundation and labor organized by Dave Sturdevant, volunteers built Leopold Benches for the spot. The benches can accommodate a solitary hiker or a whole class. To add to the experience, three interpretive signs, titled “Forests and Watersheds”, “Forest Management”, and “Forest Ecosystems” accompany the Benches. Many thanks to those who helped on this project.
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The Little Bridge
The “little bridge” at the Watershed Center has turned into a big project! The stream that flows into the lake posed a major barrier to hikers and students during times of high water. With the help of Greene County, a motivated Boy Scout, and the North Side Rotary, our bridge is complete! The Jon Williams original design spans 21 feet and is about 9 feet over the stream bed in the center.
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Kelley-Stokes Pedestrian Bridge
The Kelley–Stokes Pedestrian Bridge was dedicated on Friday, November 14th at Valley Water Mill. The bridge is made out of 95% recycled steel and recycled composite decking, is 105 foot long and completes the two and 0ne-half mile walking trail around the site.
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