Corps Staff

Rodney Edwards, Senior Restoration Ecologist 

Rodney grew up in central Missouri and discovered his love of the outdoors at an early age. While earning a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology from Missouri State University he developed a deep affection for the clear running streams and the vegetative diversity of the “hills n’ hollers” of the Missouri Ozarks. Rodneys career path has allowed him to develop an interdisciplinary approach of gaining experience while working in both the public and private sectors of resource management. He has worked for the National Park Service within Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, served as lead technician on an invasive plant management team, worked as an ISA Certified Arborist for a utility contractor, performed as burn boss leading a team for conducting controlled burns, been on western fires as a wildland firefighter, implemented various strategies for native vegetation and wildlife management in rangeland settings for private properties, and acquired various construction skills while filling in the gaps as a carpenter. 

As a member of the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks team, Rodney looks forward to expanding his profound desire of preservation, protection, and restoration of natural communities, providing a service for both public use opportunities and private landowners as well as advancing the critical message of habitat conservation and restoration. Rodney has called the Springfield area his home for nearly 20 years. With his free time, Rodney enjoys trying to fool a fish on one of the many waters of the Ozarks and pursuing quality bird habitat on public land with his trusty sidekick Tig.

Adam Barton, Watershed Conservation Corps Project Manager

Adam grew up in north Springfield only minutes away from the Watershed Committee. He experienced the beauty of the Ozarks growing up through numerous hiking, hunting, and fishing expeditions. Adam joined the Watershed Committee in April 2019 as a technician for the Watershed Conservation Corps program to assist with ongoing projects. Adam currently manages the 70-acre native prairie restoration project at Bass Pro Shops world headquarters in Springfield. He is entering his final year of study at Missouri State University where he majors in wildlife management and conservation, while minoring in forestry and geospatial science. Adam loves working at the Watershed Committee because he gets to spend time outside, improve native habitat, and educate others about modern-day conservation practices. In his spare time, you can find Adam with a fiddle in his arms playing tune after tune. He competes in numerous fiddle contests around the state and is honored to carry on the tradition of bluegrass music in the Ozarks. Adam and his wife Brooke are lifelong Springfield residents and love being part of the community.

Grant Denbow, Local Projects Leader

Grant began working for the WCC after graduating from Missouri State in May 2021. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation & Management as well as Natural Resources with an emphasis in forestry. Grant grew up in Thayer, Missouri near some of WCC’s project sites. He has always had a passion for the outdoors and he spends his free time roaming the Ozarks on adventures with his wife and their two dogs. He loves to hunt, fish and simply enjoy being outdoors. 

Jeremiah Cline, Federal Projects Manager

Jerry grew up camping at Missouri State Parks and Army Corp Parks. Over time he began loving the outdoors and the importance of natural resources. In 2015 he began volunteering as camp hosts for the Army Corp of Engineers at Beaver Lake. After doing a couple rides-alongs with the park rangers he started to realize the importance of protecting plants and animals. It wasn’t until he worked as a seasonal at Roaring River State Park that he realized he wanted to do habitat restoration. Since then, he has worked with a total of 2 state parks in Missouri, and currently working with the WCC as well as Cardinal Valley Prairie Restoration project in Webb City MO. He has taken these skills and have started a riparian/marshland restoration project on his campus at Missouri Southern.N

Taylor Dye,

Lead National Park Service Conservation Specialist

Taylor is from Rogersville, Missouri. She attended Missouri State University and gained a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology and Evolution. Taylor has been with the WCC since 2022, where she has worked with prairie restoration, prescribed fire, trail building, and more. Prior to the WCC, Taylor worked with Americorps in California. She enjoys birdwatching, floating, and gardening. She chose this line of work in hopes of preserving the natural world, changing damaging mindsets, and reversing some of our impact as humans.

Henry Wilbers, National Park Service Restoration Specialist

Henry has been with the Watershed Conservation Corps since 2021, working with on the Buffalo National River. Henry grew up in Springfield, MO and attended Missouri State University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology. Henry joined the WCC because he believes that careful management of invasive species is the first step toward creating more diverse, resilient, and beautiful natural areas. In the future, he hopes to be federally employed and work in a position that prioritizes observational science. Henry also enjoys activities like running, and gardening

Alexander Love, National Park Service Restoration Specialist

Alex is from Kanagawaken, Japan. He attended Missouri State University and received a Bachelors in Wildlife Biology. He chose to work with the WCC so that he could help restore habitats and be outside. Alex enjoys Blacksmithing, writing, and pinning insects. His favorite animal is the Japanese Rhino Beetle and his favorite plant is the purple beardtongue.

Brendan Brothers, Conservation Specialist

Brendan grew up in Jefferson County, Missouri, and graduated from Missouri State University in 2018. He has always been awed by nature, and after taking field trips in his science classes he realized that it was his passion. Brendan switched his major from education to biology halfway through college – it was then he was introduced to stewardship at the Watershed Center. After graduating, Brendan spent three years as a seasonal interpreter for Missouri State Parks. Brendan joined the Watershed Conservation Corps in April 2021. He is very excited to leave a positive impact on the environment through his hard work.

Rachel McManus, Conservation Specialist

Rachel McManus graduated from Missouri State University with a B.A. in Wildlife Biology prior to joining the corps. When asked what made her choose this line of work she said, “Working in nature was always my goal. I wanted something that I knew I could be proud to be apart of. I wanted to be impactful. I wanted to better the environment, our wildlife, and our community. Joining the WCC crew was just the job for me and I am happy with all the opportunities given to me to do just that.” When Rachel is not at work you might find her raising her ducks, catching/pinning insects, drawing/painting or simply just lounging back and watching some shows.