Stream Team
Project leaders: Sean McWay, and Chris Pierce,
About | Directions to Hinkson Creek | Volunteer Opportunities | Volunteer Benefits | Project Statistics
About Stream Team
Stream Team is for everyone who played in a creek as a kid, likes to get their feet wet and hands dirty, or simply likes to hang out with green-minded folks and improve the natural surroundings of MU. We will have one or two events each semester, consisting of trash pick up, water quality testing, and tree planting (in the spring).
At cleanups, we will have an expert lead us through water quality testing and the ins-and-outs of stream habitats. In the spring, we will plant trees along a stream and learn a thing or two about riparian ecosystems. Generally, these events will take place along a stretch of Hinkson Creek we have adopted, but watch out for special events elsewhere. Oh yeah, free snacks for anyone who comes!
Afterwards, we will dispose of the waste in the best way possible. This is often an issue when it comes to recycling the plastic and disposing of tires properly.
Directions to Hinkson Creek:
The adopted stretch of stream is along Hinkson Creek in the Hinkson Creek Recreation Area. To get there, head south off of Stadium Blvd onto Providence road. After turning onto Providence, proceed to the first stoplight and turn east (left) at the light. Upon turning onto the road, look for the Hinkson Creek Recreation Area sign on your right hand side. Turn onto the gravel road past the sign and follow it until you reach the parking lot. Stream Team events usually meet in the parking lot to discuss a game plan before starting the event. The area can also be reached via walking/biking trails originating in Capen Park, Grindstone Nature Area or Epple Field.
Volunteer opportunities:
Stream Team Events happen once or twice a semester, depending on student interest.
- Litter pick ups and water quality monitoring in the fall
- Tree plantings, more litter pick ups and more water quality monitoring in the spring.
- Volunteer needed to go buy hand sanitizer and lunch (usually sandwiches and chips) from grocery store. Sustain Mizzou reimburses the volunteer for expenses, they only need to keep the receipt.
Volunteer benefits:
- Learning to plant and identify trees
- Learning how water quality testing is done all across the state of Missouri as well as what constitutes good or poor water bodies
- Free lunch
- Good workout
- The opportunity to find some treasure while cleaning the creek and the chance to meet like minded hard working folks!
- It also provides the opportunity to be outside in nature during beautiful fall color days and spring green-up days.
Project Statistics
As of spring 2007…
- Total trees planted: 625
- Total trash picked up: 64 bags of trash
11 bags of recyclables
20 tires
2-55 gallon drums
1 truck hood
1 soccer goal
1 collapsible tent
Half a manhole cover
Around $100 in good lumber which was recycled to help build a greenhouse
1 football and basketball
- Water quality monitoring events: 5
- Total Volunteer Hours: 232.5
- Participating volunteers: 62