The Senegalese forest engineer Baba Dioum once said, “In the end, we will only conserve what we love; we will only love what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” In that spirit, the James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) has started a new ecotourism program to get organizations, businesses, government agencies, and even private citizens out on local waterways to connect with what they protect.
In the summer of 2020, we were approached by Springfield Brewing Company, who asked us to partner with them on the release of their new flagship beer. SBC wanted a water-quality themed name for an American Pale Ale and pledged a portion of the proceeds of each case sold would go to JRBP, as well as our logo and website appearing on each can.
JRBP and SBC staff met several times to discuss potential names, before settling on Blue Canoe American Pale Ale, inspired by an old blue canoe owned by long-time water warrior, Loring Bullard.
JRBP staff suggested a “gravel bar tasting” and an ecofloat as part of the release activities, and SBC graciously agreed to co-host, providing a can of Blue Canoe and a picnic lunch for each participant. On September 19, 2020, twenty attendees made the five-mile float from H.L. Kerr Access to Galena on the James, learning about everything from aquatic life to the history of float trips on the James and White Rivers, and Leave No Trace principles.
Since then, JRBP has partnered with both local municipalities, as well as businesses like the popular adventure guide service, 37 North Expeditions, to provide on-the-water education and outreach programs in 2020 and 2021.
“Our ecotourism program allows us to expand our outreach to include businesses, partner organizations, and municipal employees to help them understand the role they play in protecting our Ozarks waters,” said Brent Stock, JRBP Executive Director.
The City of Springfield’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) stormwater permit, issued through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, includes a “good housekeeping” requirement for municipal operations. The city wants to show that it practices what it preaches regarding pollution prevention and serve as a community leader.
A part of the good housekeeping program is employee education and training. Sarah Davis, a Stormwater Specialist with the City of Springfield’s Environmental Services office, heads up the training. “My goal is to help folks understand the connection between what they do at work and the health of our local streams,” said Davis.
In the past, Davis gave PowerPoint presentations and walking tours of Springfield’s Jordan Creek underground. She covered everything from leaks and spills and proper storage of materials to chemical application and yard waste.
“We did that for three years, and we were always trying to bring up new topics and respond to problems they were bringing us,” stated Davis. And then 2020 happened.
With the pandemic prohibiting traditional training sessions, Davis and JRBP began discussing the idea of getting city employees out on the James River to see the reality of stormwater management through local streams.
“The ecofloat concept allowed us to still meet the goals of educating city employees on their connection to stormwater runoff and pollution prevention, all while staying safe during COVID,” stated Davis.
One city employee on the front lines of water quality is Rosa Aviles of Public Grounds Maintenance. Aviles told Davis before the float that she had picked up 70 pounds of dog feces off public property in one morning.
“These folks see the direct relation of what they’re doing and the water quality downstream – street sweepers, maintaining ditches, concrete,” said Davis. “They interact with waterways daily.”
JRBP hosted two “MS4 ecofloats” for over 40 city employees in May and June 2021. Employees came from several divisions, including Street Operations, Public Grounds Maintenance, Water Quality Grounds Maintenance, Traffic, Urban Forestry, and Clean Water Services.
“By bringing all of these departments together, we’re creating one big team for the environment and highlighting their roles in in protecting local waterways,” said Stock. “We’re hoping they’ll see themselves as ambassadors for water quality.”
Both floats started at the Joe Crighton Access on the upper James River and floated to Southwood Canoe Access on Lake Springfield. Along the way, JRBP staff discussed the history of water quality in the Springfield metro area, MS4 stormwater requirements, and gave a brief introduction to stream ecology. Employees from the Springfield-Greene County Park Board’s Outdoor Initiatives assisted with shuttling and safety.
Participants on both floats were engaged and enthusiastic as they paddled down the James. Aviles even told Davis how much “she needed this day” and asked if there was a way to rent canoes and take her family out.
“I feel like this is a good example of a ripple effect,” noted Davis. “Hopefully, she’ll share the importance of water quality with her family and how she and her co-workers help protect the James River.”
We’ll see you on the river.