The Latest in Our Water Education
An exciting chapter currently unfolding is the upcoming daylighting of Jordan Creek, a long-awaited project that’s already sparking interest. As the City of Springfield begins implementing Phase One of the Jordan Creek Daylighting Plan, our community tours are witnessing a surge of participation, eager to learn about the transformation that will bring this hidden creek back into the light.
For years, daylighting Jordan Creek has been a key topic during our tours. As our guides take participants through the creek’s concrete catacombs, they not only discover a thrilling underground world but also gain a deeper understanding of the broader environmental context. The tours highlight the often-overlooked connections between folklore, urban design, local history, and water quality. One of the most eye-opening moments during these tours happens when visitors see firsthand how stormwater flows directly into our streams and rivers. The sight of wide-open storm drains, familiar from city streets but much more striking from within the creek, offers a powerful visual lesson in the importance of stormwater management for protecting our water resources.
As these tours wind down, we continue to provide unique educational experiences at the Watershed Center. Fall is always a busy time for field trips, with over 3,000 students visiting the Center this year alone. From public and private school groups to home-school co-ops and college classes, students are getting the chance to explore nature and learn about critical water-related issues. Our goal is simple: to offer students in our region high-quality, hands-on experiences that foster a lasting appreciation for our incredible Ozark water resources.
One of the highlights of this fall was the Homeschool Outdoor Fair at the Springfield Nature Center. This event was a tremendous success, with over 500 visitors engaging with outdoor-focused organizations, and 303 participants officially registered. At our booth, we offered an exciting, hands-on opportunity to explore Life in a Drop of Water. Using digital and field microscopes, we gave guests a close-up look at the microscopic life that thrives in our lakes and ponds. It was an incredible opportunity to show how even the tiniest organisms play a big role in the health of our water ecosystems.
In addition to the Homeschool Outdoor Fair, this fall also brought us the pleasure of hosting Professor La Toya Kissoon-Charles and her Limnology class from Missouri State University. Limnology, the study of lakes and freshwater bodies, is vital for understanding the health of aquatic ecosystems, and these students were able to get hands-on experience at Valley Water Mill Lake.
Along with sampling plankton and gathering water chemistry measurements, the students compared the physical, chemical, and biological features of local lakes, including Fellows Lake, Sequiota Park, and Lake Springfield. By studying how each lake’s ecosystem functions, the students gained valuable insights into the balance of life in freshwater systems and how factors like water quality and habitat impact the overall health of our watersheds.
As we look to the future, we’re more committed than ever to providing these enriching educational experiences. Whether it’s introducing students to the wonders of nature or diving into the science behind freshwater ecosystems, we continue to strive for greater understanding and protection of our region’s most vital resource—water.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates and opportunities to get involved as we continue our mission to promote clean water, environmental stewardship, and a deep connection to the natural world.
