Archive for July, 2007
Valley Water Mill Dedication
Valley Water Mill celebrated impovements on Tuesday, July 10 during a "progressive dedication" ceremony. The improvements include a new Greenway trail, a Streamside Learning Station and the completion of the Outdoor Initiatives/Maintenance building. Ozark Greenways, the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks and Springfield-Greene County Park Board celebrated with a ribbon cutting and Loring Bullard, Executive Director of theWatershed Committee of the Ozarks said, "This type of event is to increase public awareness and it’s a way to report back to the community."
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Governor Blunt appoints Todd Parnell to Clean Water Commission
Governor Matt Blunt appointed Todd Parnell to the Clean Water Commission on Monday, July 23 at the Lakeside Learning Station at Valley Water Mill. Mr. Parnell is interim President of Drury University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Drury University and a master’s in business administration from Dartmouth College. Mr. Panell serves as chairman of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. He also serves on the Wonders of Wildlife Board, Upper White River Basin Foundation, James River Basin Partnership and The Nature Conservancy of Missouri.
"Todd Parnell has an exemplary record of preserving our state’s natural resources, and I am pleased to appoint someone who shares my deep commitment to conservation," Governor Blunt said. "His leadership and expertise will be a great addition to the commission as we all work to protect our water resources for Missouri families, businesses and wildlife."
Mr. Parnell, 60, is a Democrat and will replace Thomas Hermann of Ballwin on the commission. Mr Parnell’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending April 12, 2008.
The Clean Water Commission works to conserve state water resources and protect, maintain and enhance the quality of public water supplies. The commission also works to protect water supplies for domiestic, agricultural, industrial, recreation, and other legitimate beneficial uses and for the propogation of wildlife, fish, and aquatic life.
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KOLR 10 ReForest the Ozarks
Saturday, October 13 (8AM-Noon)
Join Ozark Greenways and KOLR 10 in a continuation of the Reforest the Ozarks program they did in the spring. They will sell native species trees at half-price. Cost will be $10 each, species to be announced.
The sale will take place at the Fairgrounds on Norton Road.
For more information, visit http://www.ozarkgreenways.org/eventcalendar.html
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Rain Garden at Valley Water Mill
The Watershed Committee has partnered with a local Sierra Club to construct a Rain Garden at Valley Water Mill. This project will aid in preventing stormwater runoff from entering Valley Water Mill Lake. Rain gardens are being used throughout the state as water quality BMP’s (Best Management Practices). Rain Gardens are desinged to slow down, capture and absorb water using elements similar to those in nature: plants, rocks, shallow swales and depressions that hold water temporarily rather than let it quickly run away. Rain Gardens will reduce drainage and flooding problems, keep pollutants out of the nearby streams, rivers and lakes and bring beauty and wildlife to the landscape.
There are two kinds of rain gardens: wet and dry. The wet rain garden holds water almost all of the time. The rain garden at Valley Water Mill is a dry rain garden and most water is absorbed within 48 hours…too soon for mosquito larvae to hatch.
Wildlife prefers locally grown native plants. If you plant a rain garden, be sure to buy plants native to Missouri. Native plants have deep root systems that help water infiltrate the soil. Non-Native vs. Native Graphic below illustrates root systems. Visit www.grownative.org to find nurseries that specialize in Missouri-grown native plants.To learn more about the benefits of rain gardens and how to construct one, visit http://www.mowildflowers.net/growinginfo/raingarden.html and/or
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/toolbox/othercatalog.htm#Lawn%20and%20Garden%20Car
(click on Lawn & Garden Care, then browse to How to build Your Own Rain Garden)
Our Rain Garden Progress at Valley Water Mill
September 2007 June 2008
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Watershed Committee Monthly Meeting
Join Us
Date: September 7, 2007
Time: 7:30 am.
Location: Midtown Carnegie Library (397 E. Central Springfield, MO)
Presentation: Springfield’s Water Supply-A National Perspective–Jerry D. Vineyard, Interstate Rivers Director, MoDNR (Retired)
Missouri Department of Conservation Update–Ronda Headland
Catered by Panera Bread
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