Watershed Conservation Corps Staff
Watershed Conservation Corps Staff
Rodney Edwards, Director
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.
Grant Denbow, Projects Coordinator
Grant grew up in the Ozarks, spending much of his time outdoors, which spurred his passion for nature. This led him to attend Missouri State University, where he graduated in 2021 with a double major in Wildlife Conservation & Management/Natural Resources with an emphasis in Forestry. Grant joined the Watershed Conservation Corps after graduating and serves as the Local Field Lead. He enjoys the experience of being able to steward the many native habitat types we are host to.
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, hiking, fishing, or just hanging out in the backyard.
Jeremiah Cline, Federal Projects Manager
Jeremiah “Jerry” grew up spending most of his summers enjoying the local lakes and rivers in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. At a young age, with these experiences, he recognized the importance of protecting the unique flora and fauna found throughout the Ozarks.
While pursuing his degree in biology at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU), Jerry worked as a Seasonal Steward at Roaring River State Park in 2019. This role helped solidify his career choice. He then moved to Prairie State Park and the Cardinal Valley Restoration Project. Towards the end of his college career, he took the skills learned from his work experience in habitat restoration and created a wetland restoration project that included an outdoor classroom, removing invasive plant species, and promoting natives on the MSSU campus.
In the summer of 2020, he joined the Watershed Conservation Corps (WCC). Starting out as a crew member, then becoming a crew leader, and he has now stepped into a more administrative role as the Federal Program Manager.
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
Crew Training & Equipment
The WCC provides a strong educational component for crew members, focusing on Missouri ecology and safety. Crew members are trained in herbicide application and operate as pesticide technicians under a certified commercial applicator. Crew members are well-versed in invasive species management and are knowledgeable about management methods to tackle invasive species.
Our crew is prepared to meet all project needs within the scope of our mission. We provide the following equipment: personal protective equipment, herbicide equipment (ex. backpack sprayers, mixing tanks), chainsaws, STIHL brush-cutters, power tools and hand tools (ex. Pulaskis, pick mattocks, McLeods, rakes, shovels, double/single jacks, wheelbarrows, weed whips and handsaws).