Stream Team

Project leader: Garrett McKee: Sgmy83@mizzou.edu

About | Directions to Hinkson Creek | Volunteer Opportunities | Volunteer Benefits | Project Statistics

About Stream Team

Stream Team is a project which gathers volunteer students from all majors in an effort to clean up and restore an adopted stretch of Hinkson Creek in the Hinkson Creek Recreation Area.  This is accomplished through litter pick ups, tree plantings and water quality monitoring.

The fall semester of 2008, Stream Team held two separate litter pick-up and water quality monitoring events.  The first took place on October 4 and the second on November 1.  In addition to picking up trash (statistics at the side), we performed a biological test of Hinkson creek in October and a chemical test of Hinkson’s water quality in November.

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