Watershed Conservation Corps

How We’re Practicing Forest Stand Improvement at the Watershed Center:
🌿 Selective Thinning: Removing overcrowded or invasive species to allow native plants to thrive.
🚫 Invasive Control: Tackling species like bush honeysuckle to support native biodiversity.
🌞 Canopy Gaps: Opening spaces for sunlight to reach wildflowers, shrubs, and young trees.
🔍 Ongoing Monitoring: Regular assessments to adapt our forest management strategies.

helps create healthier forests that better support clean water, wildlife, and recreation for the whole community. Want to get involved? Volunteer with us or check out local resources to start improving your own forested land! More info here: https://watershedcommittee.org/fsi/
Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, Inc. Missouri Dept. of Conservation

Why Forest Stand Improvement Matters 🌳💧
Did you know healthy forests are essential for clean water and biodiversity?

💧 Strong forests reduce runoff, filter pollutants, and prevent soil erosion
🦉 Diverse forests create habitats for birds, mammals, and pollinators
🌿 Healthy trees withstand climate stressors like drought, disease, and invasives
🏞 From shade and recreation to scenic beauty, forests enrich our lives!

At the Watershed Center, we’re using FSI to build forests that sustain wildlife, clean water, and natural beauty for everyone to enjoy, thanks to Community Forestry support from Missouri Dept. of Conservation. Learn more here: https://watershedcommittee.org/fsi/

What Is Forest Stand Improvement? 🌲✨
Forest Stand Improvement (FSI) is a powerful tool to enhance the health, productivity, and biodiversity of forests. By carefully managing tree competition, FSI creates stronger, more resilient forests that benefit people and the planet.

🌱 What Does FSI Involve?
✅ Removing invasive species that crowd out native plants
✅ Thinning overcrowded areas for better sunlight and nutrient distribution
✅ Pruning damaged or low-value trees to support healthy, high-value species
✅ Creating gaps in the canopy to promote new growth

Healthy forests mean cleaner water, vibrant wildlife, and more resilient ecosystems! 🌎💧Learn more about how we’re using FSI at the Watershed Center to support our local forests and waterways with Community Forestry support from Missouri Dept. of Conservation 👉 https://watershedcommittee.org/fsi/

Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, Inc.

Have you been to the new Community Forest in Ozark?🌲

"[The plan] was developed by the city and the James River Basin Partnership and the Watershed Conservation Corps. It includes plans for an education center and continuing to develop trails on and into the park."

City of Ozark, MO - Municipal Government
Missouri Dept. of Conservation
https://www.ksmu.org/news/2024-08-21/ozark-cuts-ribbon-on-garrison-springs?fbclid=IwY2xjawGpndJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZrHDrVTfSPOLsEpy77kBDtLvPRpc98onORZKooI0X33R4xgzj5ubRn1Cw_aem_9-suMOk0SOZbCIHQBKpd8g

Ozark cuts ribbon on Garrison Springs The city opened the Garrison Springs Community Forest Tuesday. It purchased the property in 2021.

The Watershed x Illumine Collection is a limited-edition line that helps protect our local water resources! 💧
This exclusive collection is available until October 21st, so don’t miss your chance to grab yours while supporting a great cause! Featuring:
🧥 Cozy Sweatshirts
👕 Blue Long & Short Sleeve Tees
✨ Stickers

Every purchase makes an impact! ➡https://illuminecollect.com/collections/watershed

Our Summer Newsletter has arrived! Check out pages 9 & 10 to see the conservation projects we've been working on.

📖 ➡https://watershedcommittee.org/wp-content/uploads/WatershedSummerNL_24.pdf

Tending to the prairies at Dunn Ranch! Did you know controlling invasive species like Sericea Lespedeza benefits our water? Invasives can lead to monocultures that harm native plants and soil stability. By restoring native vegetation, we enhance water retention, prevent erosion, and maintain balanced nutrient cycles. This promotes biodiversity and supports cleaner water for all. 🌿💧🌼 The Nature Conservancy in Missouri

We recently surveyed for Tree of Heaven on the Buffalo River with the National Park Service.🚣 🌳 It was a unique opportunity for the crew to spend some time on the water and identify invasive species that can threaten our rivers and streams. Despite its name, the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) can outcompete native plants and cause significant damage to ecosystems.

Thank you to our partners at the U.S. Forest Service - Mark Twain National Forest for submitting award nominations for our work on the National Visitor Use Monitoring program! Big thanks to Rachel for dedicating so much time to the project. 👏 We look forward to seeing the survey results and learning how park visitors are connecting with nature in our region. 🎉

Happy 4-year workiversary to Jeremiah! 🎉
Jerry began his time at WCC as a crew member, then became a crew leader, and now he serves as our Federal Program Manager.

Happy 2 Year to Rodney Edwards, Director of WCC!

Rodney is an experienced Restoration Ecologist who has worked in the public and private sectors. He is a 🔥 leading prescribed fire and invasive plant management. He's also fought wildfires out west and is a certified ISA Arborist. 🌳 In his free time, Rodney enjoys fishing and exploring public lands with his trusty sidekick, Tig. 🐟 🐶

Thank you, Rodney! You are a tremendous asset to our program.

We've stayed busy with prescribed burns, native seeding, riparian corridor plantings, and surveying this Spring. 👷‍♀️🌱🌳🪵🔥

Check out pages 10-15 of Watershed's Spring Newsletter to learn about our recent projects:https://watershedcommittee.org/wp-content/uploads/WatershedSpringNewsletter2024.pdf