Celebration of Collaboration

Yesterday WCO participated in a hydrilla inspection and an afternoon of touring project sites. It was a pleasure to have Sara Parker Pauley, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation as the lunch speaker. The theme of the day was collaboration. Collaborative efforts of community partners in Southwest Missouri have led to many successful outcomes for local natural resources and citizens that depend on them. One prime example of that is the Hydrilla Working Group which was presented with the Invasive Plant Action Award for their outstanding collaborative work to fight the spread of invasive hydrilla which helps protect native habitats, plants, and animals. At times, the amount of work to be done can be overwhelming but we are not alone in our efforts. We are very fortunate to have a community full of bright minds protecting and improving our natural resources who are willing to join efforts toward a common vision. Remarkable work can be accomplished when we join together. As Andrew Carnegie once said, “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”
Stacey Armstrong Smith, Projects Manager