Newsletter of the Parks Association Post Office Box 30036, Columbia, MO 65205

Volume 27, No. 2 July 2009 Susan Flader, Editor

Eiken Retires as Longest-Serving Park Director By B. H. Rucker In Portland, North Dakota, greatest interest in life was sports. population 600, Doug Eiken grew Baseball was his passion, although up around the Farmers Union ironically, it was basketball that Creamery, remembering his first opened doors for him, begin- mother candling the eggs and his ning with a four-year athletic father making the butter. Even scholarship to nearby Mayville young boys like Doug worked on State Teachers College. After neighboring farms, hauling hay, graduation in 1964 with his B.S. in feeding livestock, and performing math and physical education, Doug a never-ending list of chores. The was drafted by the Eugene, Ore- remembrance of his parents, gon, Emeralds, a minor league neighbors, friends – working peo- farm team for the Philadelphia ple and their everyday lives – Phillies. Although his zeal for never has been far from his mind. baseball remained unabated, he was released after four seasons, In rural North Dakota, sports and he returned to complete an provided relief from the effort and M.S. in Phys. Ed. at the then tedium of the workaday world and, Doug Eiken at Illiniwek Village Moorhead State College in Minne- as a boy and a young man, Doug’s State Historic Site (See "Eiken" on Page 5) Park Funding Still at Issue This year’s session of the Mis- tion projects. The Third State Fund MPA leaders, introduced an amend- souri General Assembly, which just had included $60 million for state ment to raise the bond issue to $800 adjourned on May 15, offered two park projects, and MPA leaders had million total, including up to $250 exciting possibilities for major been waiting fifteen years for a suc- million for state projects other than catch-up funding for the nearly cessor that could include more fund- higher education, citing especially $200 million backlog of state park ing for parks. Park supporter Rep. needs in state parks and mental capital improvement needs, but nei- Mike Sutherland was ready with an health. The amended bill reached ther met with success – a major dis- amendment to include $75 million the senate floor, where it would appointment for park supporters. for state park projects in HJR 32 likely have passed if not for a fili- when it reached the house floor, but buster by a senator opposed to the The bonds issued in the 1980s to regrettably he was not recognized state incurring further debt. establish the Third State Building and the speaker rolled the bill with- Fund are nearly paid off, and Rep. out any discussion whatever. A second opportunity for state Chris Kelly of Columbia sought to park capital funding was to try to take advantage of that recurring A last chance for the bond issue include park system projects in budget item (revenue stream) to came when the Senate Appropria- some of the general assembly pro- create a new State Building Fund tions Committee heard HJR 32, and posals for use of federal stimulus with another bond issue. His HJR Senator Kurt Schaeffer of Columbia money. There were billions of dol- 32 would have supplied $700 mil- (who had served for a time as gen- lars allocated for capital improve- lion in capital improvements mon- eral counsel for DNR), having been ments and related infrastructure for ies, all dedicated to higher educa- approached prior to the hearing by (See "Funding" on Page 3) Page 2 The Missouri Parks Association MPA President’s Message by Terry Whaley Eiken Leaves Great Park System and Inspired Staff Greetings, MPA members. I while he conducts a national hope this issue of Heritage finds search for a new leader for the you out and about happily en- park system. MPA congratu- joying your great state park sys- lates Dan and looks forward to tem. Many changes and chal- working with him. lenges are in store for the sys- I invite you to join us in assur- tem's future, which you can read ing that we continuing to live about in this issue. I wish to in a state with one of the top take just a moment to comment state park systems in the na- on what has been one of the MPA President Terry Whaley presenting a Lewis & tion. Support MPA efforts to greatest gifts to our system, one Clark print to Doug Eiken. seek enhanced capital im- that will be greatly missed. provements through federal stimulus On June 1 our state park director We will miss Doug and we wish funds or a bond issue and the return Doug Eiken started his well- him the best, but it is a comfort to of state park funding from state gen- deserved retirement. I attended his know that, working with the current eral revenue, encourage others to retirement reception with great ex- staff, together we can achieve the join MPA, and, most important, citement but with a sense of loss vision for our state park system that share your favorite park with others that often comes with change. Doug was inspired by Doug’s fifteen years so they too can understand the value has been a great park director for of service. Deputy director Dan and importance of maintaining a Missouri, and we hate to see him Paige has been appointed acting great park system for future genera- leave. His accomplishments are director by DNR's Mark Templeton tions. well represented in additional parks, improved facilities, and new pro- grams to enhance the park experi- Save October 23-25, 2009 ence for all Missouri residents. for MPA’s Annual Meeting in St. Louis County However, as I talked with park division employees whether in the Plan now to join us for the 2009 annual meeting of the Missouri Parks As- Jefferson City offices, in the field, sociation to be held in St. Louis County near the Meramec River, October or even a volunteer campground 23-25, 2009. The host hotel will be the Wildwood Town Center Hotel, with host, there was an overwhelming visits to several nearby state parks including Babler, Castlewood and Route and consistent theme that Doug was 66. A visit to one of the region's newest state park sites nearby in Jefferson “the best boss” they ever had. Very County is also being planned. The tentative calendar of activities includes: often we get wrapped up in meas- ures of park acreage, buildings and Friday, October 23 12:00-4:00pm Pre-meeting float trip or hike, Castlewood State events, often forgetting that our Park greatest resource is the dedicated 6:00-9:00 pm Reception & dinner (location TBD) employees that care for our parks on a daily basis. A park system does Saturday, October 24 not acquire and hold dedicated em- 9:00 am-Noon State park issues & programs ployees without leadership at the Noon-5:00pm Visits to regional state park sites top. This leadership must build on 6:00-9:00pm Annual MPA dinner and awards existing skills, cultivate individual interest and initiative, and encour- Sunday, October 25 age people to give their very best. 9:00am-Noon MPA membership & business meeting (Location TBD) While Doug may have retired, he has given Missouri a gift that will Host Hotel: Wildwood Town Center Hotel—636-733-9100. Camping continue to benefit our parks for available: Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, 636-458-3813 many years, and that is an educated, inspired and committed professional A more detailed description will be included in the next issue of Heritage , staff who will continue the vision but you can reserve your room now. For more information contact meeting that Doug has instilled in them. chair Ron Coleman at 314-451-6090 or [email protected], or MPA treasurer Eleanor Hoefle at [email protected] or 314-869-6534.

Page 3 The Missouri Parks Association ("Funding" from Page 1) nearly every state agency and a For decades park division staff, much of the most pressing deferred number of local entities, but again MPA leaders and other park sup- maintenance, such as water and nothing for parks, despite MPA tes- porters have been painfully aware of wastewater systems, is not sexy. In timony in a number of hearings, the increasing inadequacy of the rural Missouri, where the most hand-delivering copies of the case park sales tax for anything other highly visited parks are located, for state park funding to every legis- than general operations—however some are the equivalent of a small lative office and talking personally vital it is for that purpose—and have city having to run its own water and with many members and their sought a gradual return of general sewer departments. Yet, though staffs—and despite all your phone revenue (GR) funds, which were there were billions of dollars in the calls, letters, and emails to your own stripped from parks during a state federal stimulus bill designated for representatives and senators. We budget crisis after the first success- such systems, state parks were eligi- still have not managed to build a ful renewal of the sales tax in 1988. ble for none of it, as interpreted by coalition of representatives and (Park director Doug Eiken had had DNR and the governor’s office. senators who will consistently advo- very modest success in getting a The Katy Trail is highly popular cate for the state park system. So small amount of GR for Civil War but, again, the most pressing needs park supporters will have to redou- sesquicentennial commemoration in are for infrastructure—culverts, ble their efforts. recent years, but that was com- bridges, and trailbed. At MPA's re- pletely stripped in the legislature quest, the park division has prepared Our greatest problem is appar- this year.) a prioritized list of about $75 mil- ently one of our greatest suc- lion in such projects, which may be cesses. With the broadly sup- In the meantime, the park sys- viewed on the MPA website: http:// ported 2006 renewal of the parks tem has built up a critical backlog parks.missouri.org. It is the stagger- and soils sales tax still in many of nearly $200 million in deferred ing cost of this sort of infrastructure legislators’ memory banks, there maintenance and rehabilitation of capital expenditures that requires is a widespread perception that facilities and infrastructure. periodic infusions of special fund- state parks are well funded and ing. Thus, it was especially disap- do not need additional support. State parks suffer not only from pointing to have missed out on two In fact, the sales tax has been so the misperception of wealth but also such opportunities in the legislative diminished by diversions and ex- from term limits, which incline leg- session just ended. emptions that it is barely ade- islators to deliver projects to their quate for day-to-day operations own districts, whereas the needs of However, there is another chance (see Heritage , April 2009). the park system are statewide. Also, coming this summer that park sup- porters must seize upon. A Joint Committee on Capital Improve- ments and Leases Oversight will be meeting during the summer to priori- tize projects that were not funded during the session just ended, in case there are additional federal or other funds next year. The committee, chaired by Repre- sentative Ryan Silvey of Kansas City, consists of four other mem-

(See "Funding" on Page 4) The Memorial at , site of MPA’s 2009 annual meeting. Page 4 The Missouri Parks Association

("Funding" from Page 3) bers of the House Budget Committee—Allen Icet (west state park system requires periodic infusion of capital St. Louis County), Mike Cunningham (Webster funds from a bond issue or other special funding County), Ed Wildberger (St. Joseph), and Shalonn source, such as the federal stimulus bill. Our Missouri Curls (Kansas City)—and five members of the Senate system has benefited greatly from two such significant Appropriations Committee—Gary Nodler (Joplin), Rob infusions in its history—federal CCC and WPA funds Mayer (Dexter), David Pearce (Warrensburg), Tim during the depression and New Deal of the 1930s and Green (north St. Louis County, and Frank Barnitz (east the Third State Building Fund Bond Issue of the mid- central Ozarks). Regrettably, none of the house mem- 1980s. As it happened, both types of funding were po- bers has any state parks in his or her district, though all tentially available in the legislative session just ended, senators but Green do. and such funds could be available again in the next ses- sion. But after that, it could be decades before such This is an opportunity, but at its first meeting May special opportunities return. 29, House Budget Committee Chair Allen Icet recom- mended that the committee not consider any projects HJR 32 sponsor Chris Kelly has said that he will from three agencies with their own funding sources— almost certainly reintroduce a bill for a Fifth State Transportation, Conservation, and State Parks. Several Building Fund Bond Issue in the next session and that members have since indicated concern about the exclu- it will include more than just higher education. The sion of state parks in discussions with MPA leaders, so question is whether a specific percentage would be ear- MPA will seek to have parks returned to the mix for marked for state parks; MPA calls for ten percent in consideration. view of the large number of park units spread through- out the state and the nature of the most urgent needs. It is critical that we change this misperception that Legislators typically like to be free to pick and choose the park system is wealthy. It is of utmost importance projects to support, but this could work to the detriment that park supporters talk with legislators in their dis- of high priority yet largely invisible infrastructure reha- tricts, because any solution to park needs will have to bilitation. come from the Missouri General Assembly in one way or another. Letters to Governor Nixon would also be It is clear that now is the time for park supporters to helpful. Though the governor has often spoken of his make the case for an infusion of capital improvements fondness for state parks, he has been arguing against funds for the state park system, and the case will have using federal stabilization funds on capital improve- to be made one legislator at a time. It must be a case ments and he has not taken any position on the bond for maintaining and restoring the integrity of the state- issue, because he is concerned about shortfalls in reve- wide system, not just a plea on behalf of a particular nue to operate state government in the current financial project. And it must clearly distinguish between the crisis and he would like to reserve funds for that. excellent management our parks have enjoyed—owing to dedicated state park Meanwhile, legisla- staff, superb leader- tors are being bom- ship, and the relative barded by their con- What You Can Do stability if modest stituents and an array amount of the sales of lobbyists for local Please CALL or VISIT your state represen- tax funding for opera- interests about numer- tative and senator this summer (the earlier the tions—and the critical ous worthwhile pro- better) to discuss the need for special funding need for an infusion of jects in their districts for state park capital improvements. You can special funds to deal to be funded by any find more information about your legislators, with the ever-growing available monies. The often including their addresses and phone num- and critical backlog of fifteen-year backlog of bers in their district, at www.house.mo.gov/ or capital improvements. unmet capital needs of www.senate.mo.gov/. our state park system Our state parks must be part of this and historic sites are discussion. For further information, including an article too much a part of on park funding in the April issue of Heritage, who we are as Mis- What needs to be the list of priority projects in state parks, and a sourians to be al- understood by park sup- list of legislators with parks in their districts, lowed to deteriorate. porters and legislators see the MPA website: http://parks.missouri.org. alike is that any good

Page 5 The Missouri Parks Association ("Eiken" from Page 1) sota. After a brief stint as a high life problems. For a while he even serving state park director in the na- school coach in Rugby, ND Doug doubled in brass and oversaw the tion. returned to Mayville as the assistant state’s tourism operations. And, he What was it about the Missouri baseball and head basketball coach. extended his interests beyond his system that had attracted him? Of home state, at one time or another Although successful in his coach- course it was a bigger job, larger holding nearly every office in the ing career, Eiken says he "began to than the North Dakota system in National Association of State Park think I didn’t want to spend a number of units and personnel by a Directors (NASPD) and the National twenty-year career coaching one factor of five or so. But there was Association of State Outdoor Recrea- sport.” He had been working in the more: “I liked the idea that Mis- tion Liaison Officers (NASORLO), summers assisting local communities souri’s state parks were a more rep- including the presidency of both. He in developing recreation programs, resentative presentation of the state had a comfortable life in North Da- and in 1977 he attended the National as a whole. The inclusion of historic kota. As director of parks, he was a Recreation and Parks Association sites and natural resource areas in member of the governor’s cabinet meeting in Denver with a group of addition to the purely recreational and many of the leaders in state gov- his extension service clients. For sites is not too common in state park ernment were old acquaintances Doug, his 'Aha!' moment came in systems. It makes Missouri’s park from sports activities, as athletic Denver, when he encountered for the system more reflective of the state’s boosters, teammates or opponents. “I first time the world of professional total culture and that interested me.” probably could have stayed there park and recreation managers. He And the clincher: The MPA book, forever,” he says. decided on the spot to look into op- Exploring Missouri’s Legacy . There portunities in the field. But in 1993, an old mentor from are several park systems that have his coaching days put a bee in his books, but nobody has a book like As it happened, he was due to bonnet: “If you stay here until you that one.” The existence of MPA, a start a sabbatical year, and he was retire, staying on the same easy path statewide organization dedicated to soon enrolled in a doctoral program you’ve already walked, will you al- supporting the park system, further in leisure services administration at ways wonder if you could have suc- convinced Doug that Missouri’s state the University of Utah, earning his ceeded in a bigger job?” It was a parks held a special place in the af- Ph.D. in little more than a year. Al- nagging thought for a man with a fection of Missourians. though offered the director of athlet- competitive instinct and when, a ics position back at Mayville State, In addition to the expected effort month later, his old friend Ney he instead went directly from his of managing a larger system, there Landrum, director of Florida State graduation ceremony in Utah to the were special challenges in those fif- Parks, called and urged him to apply NPRA meeting in Seattle to seek a teen years. Doug served under five for the director’s position in Mis- position more in keeping with his different governors and five DNR souri, Doug didn’t need much con- new interests. Blessed with both directors from both political parties. vincing. good luck and good timing, he was He led the park system through a hired in Seattle for a position at the In March 1994, Doug became massive rebuilding to meet the stan- University of Kansas as assistant director of a Missouri park system dards of the Americans With Dis- professor and coordinator of recrea- that was staggering a bit; there had abilities Act (ADA), and the sadly tion studies. He was happy enough at been unexpected changes in leader- unexpected rebuilding of Johnson’s KU, yet after three years he came to ship—only an acting director for Shut-Ins. And, of course, there was realize that he had enjoyed the 'hands nearly two years—and massive dev- the critical need to secure renewal of on' extension part of university life astation in the big river parks from the Parks and Soils Sales Tax more than the strictly academic side. the worst flood in the state's history. (PSST), which was brought before a Once again, he seemed to be well- This was the challenge he had been statewide vote twice during his ten- aligned with fate; an old friend ad- looking for and it was as satisfying ure, in 1996 and 2006, each time vised him that there was a job open as he had hoped it would be. On winning approval by more than two 'up north,' and in 1981 he returned to June 1, 2009, he retired after serving to one, an astounding majority for a his native North Dakota as director as director for fifteen years, the long- tax vote. However, there was also of the state park system. est-serving director in Missouri state the vexing inevitability, about which parks history—in February even hav- he warned repeatedly, that before For the next thirteen years he ing surpassed the tenure of the legen- long the lines between park operating presided over North Dakota’s state dary Joe Jaeger—and, counting his expenses and park revenues— parks, expanding the system, seeking North Dakota years, the longest- diminished as they were by diver- operational improvements, and bringing his education to bear on real (See "Eiken" on Page 6)

Page 6 The Missouri Parks Association

("Eiken" from Page 5) sions and sales tax exemptions— enhanced interpretation of Native same short span of time, about ten would cross. American archaeology, history and years out.” He took steps to reorgan- culture at Van Meter State Park. He ize the parks division, flattening the Doug’s approach to the PSST re- encouraged park and historic site hierarchical pyramid so as to create an newals was bound up in his approach managers to hold open meetings each organizational structure with more to park management in general. As he year to solicit public input, kept politi- mentor relationships and more oppor- puts it, “Whenever I had to make a cal leaders informed of their constitu- tunities for younger staff to assume decision about the park system, I al- ents’ wishes for their parks, saw that management responsibilities. In the ways thought about ‘the little guy,’ comment cards were furnished to con- field he created clusters of parks and the moms and pops, the ordinary cession operation users, and regularly sites to enhance teamwork and allow working people who use and need compiled research and user survey more management decisions to be their state parks. How can we make made at the local level. He started the Joe Jaeger Acad- emy, a training program to inculcate new staff with the heritage and traditions of the Missouri park system and to provide management train- ing for more seasoned staff. And how does he feel about the management picture now? And the effect of his leaving after fifteen years? Pretty good, it seems. It’s been a great relationship! Doug Eiken, with MPA past presidents (l-r) Ron Coleman, Greg Iffrig, Susan Flader, Mary Abbott, John Karel and Terry Whaley. “We’ve got a great group of employees. The new gen- the parks more welcoming, more ser- eration of mid-level managers are data. These surveys revealed that user vice-oriented for them?” Ultimately, youngish, but professionally trained satisfaction was approaching 99 per- his management philosophy seems to and very much in touch with the tradi- cent. have been informed by his boyhood in tions of the Missouri park system. small-town Portland, the world of Doug’s time as director also saw The current economic picture is a little ordinary people and their needs for the addition of seven new parks and grim, but that will pass andI think recreational refreshment apart from historic sites—Route 66, Morris, Ted they’ll do just fine.” their workaday lives. and Pat Jones/Confluence Point, And Doug Eiken, what’s in his Clark's Hill/Norton, Current River, He saw the ADA not as a bur- future? “I want to spend time with Rock Island/Katy Trail, and Island den—though it cost more than $12 Dorothy and I’ll have more time to Mound—and an agreement for public million in park funds—but as an op- enjoy my grandkids. But I’d also like use of the 61,000-acre Roger Pryor portunity to be more inclusive, to to teach part time, perhaps do some Pioneer Backcountry. And he spear- make park resources available to a consulting, and work with other park headed the creation of the Missouri new clientele. He established offices systems … share some of my experi- State Parks Foundation to provide an in St. Louis and Kansas City to reach ence in improving their planning and additional source of funding for spe- out to urban dwellers, and particularly public involvement processes … cial needs of the system. to African-Americans. He encouraged maybe write a bit. I’ll continue to and assisted MPA in establishing its But, what does he think was his support the growth of the Missouri Urban Populations Outreach Project most important contribution to Mis- State Parks Foundation and I’d like to (UPOP) to provide park-based educa- souri state parks? “Not long after I continue my involvement with NA- tional experiences for disadvantaged came here, I saw there was a really SORLO. And then, there’s the horses. inner-city youths. He made overtures big problem ahead. Almost all of the I think I’ll stay busy.” to Native American tribes once resi- middle and upper managers were The Missouri Parks Association dent in Missouri, seeking their in- about the same age, having come to congratulates Doug on his long lead- volvement with the park system—and the system in the late 1960s and early ership of the state park system and with the Lewis and Clark Bicenten- ‘70s. With increasing state retirement extends its best wishes for a long, pro- nial, which he headed for Missouri— benefits it was apparent that they ductive, and happy retirement. and supported the development of an would nearly all be retiring within the

Page 7 The Missouri Parks Association UPOP Partnerships 2009 MPA's Urban Populations Out- from the Scuola Vita Nuova Charter eration with staff at Roaring River reach Program (UPOP) began in Kan- School that will end with a week-long Park and with funding from the sas City in 2001 as an initiative aimed bicycle trip on the Katy Trail from Corkle Charitable Trust. at bringing youth from the inner city Clinton to St. Charles in cooperation to Missouri state parks for interpre- with DNR/DSP, the Kauffman Foun- Members of the MPA board of tive programs and recreation. The dation and the Urban Kansas City directors who have spearheaded the success of UPOP-KC led to the de- Community of Cyclists. programs and assisted with fund rais- velopment of similar programs in St. ing in the various cities are Mary Ab- Louis, Joplin and Columbia. These The St. Louis UPOP is coordi- bott of Kansas City, who conceived programs have served some 5000 nated by Mike Nelson, who will lead the idea, Ron Coleman of St. Louis, youths in the past eight years through a one-week program at Babler State Tony Robyn of Joplin, and Julie an ever-expanding array of partner- Park for youth from eight different Fisher and Mary Barile of Columbia. ships. organizations and schools in partner- ship with the Open Space Council, These programs have added a rich Longtime Kansas City UPOP co- and by the Green Center and staff diversity of conservation and outdoor ordinator Shalonn Curls now repre- from five St.Louis-area state parks recreation experiences to the lives of sents her inner city district in the Mis- that will be visited by participating many youths and their families who souri General Assembly, but she re- youth. The Columbia UPOP, which ordinarily might not have had such mains passionately committed to continues to be led by Meredith opportunities available to them. If UPOP. This summer Heather Pabst, Donaldson of Friends of Rock you would like to assist in helping to an Independence school teacher, will Bridge, partners with various area get more children outdoors, please help coordinate the program, along youth agencies and the Boone’s Lick consider a tax deductible charitable with staff at the Discovery Center and Chapter of master naturalists with contribution payable to the Missouri the various parks to be visited. A funding from the Downtown Optimist Parks Association (for UPOP); send new feature this year, Wheels Can Club as well as MPA. In Joplin, the to Missouri Parks Association, c/o Take Me Places, is a January-June program has been coordinated The Callaway Bank, P.O. Box 10, program for 22 students of Hispanic, through the Wildcat Glades Conser- Fulton, MO 65251. No child should African-American and Asian descent vation and Audubon Center in coop- be left inside on a Missouri summer day. Caves, streams, grasslands, picnics, biking — UPOP opens new worlds to inner city kids.

Page 8 The Missouri Parks Association Save the Current River, Again! Fifty years ago, Missourians banded together to Thursday, June 25, 3:30-7pm, Courtyard by Mar- save their pristine rivers, the Current and Jacks Fork, riott, Columbia from a plan to dam their free-flowing, spring-fed wa- Friday, June 26: 3:30-7pm, Crowne Plaza Hotel, ters. As a result, the rivers became the first congres- Clayton sionally designated national rivers in 1964. As part of the deal that created the Ozark National Scenic River- ways, three crown jewels of the state park system—Big If you cannot attend one of the Spring, Round Spring and Alley Spring state parks— public meetings, and even if you can, please review the were transferred to the National Park Service as focal plan and submit your comments in support of better points of the new national park. Hence MPA’s continu- management practices including implementation of ing interest in the riverways. appropriate usage standards. To view the ONSR 20- page “Preliminary Alternatives Newsletter” and submit Management by the National Park Service provided comments go to http://parkplanningnps.gov/ozar and many important protections, but lax enforcement has select the link “*Open for Comment” on the top line led to overdevelopment, pollution, violation of public opposite Ozark NSR. The link to the newsletter is at easements and serious off-road and equestrian damage. the bottom of the comment page. You may submit Other national parks that safeguard natural resources, comments in writing or, most recommended, electroni- like the Buffalo National River and Yellowstone Na- cally. Comments are due by July 31. tional Park, have management plans that balance rec- reational use and sustainable natural resource stan- To learn more, you can view and share a new MPA dards. At long last, the National Parks Service is seek- and Friends of Ozark Riverways DVD entitled Why We ing public input for a new Ozark National Scenic Must Save the Current River, Again (http:// Riverways General Management Plan. vimeo.com/4860397) , which was originally presented by John Karel as the keynote at the MPA annual meet- This is a time when direct citizen participation is ing at last fall. It tells the story of vitally needed . Your first opportunity is a week-long the riverways from the conservationist point of view, series of public meetings: reminding us all why those who came before saved the Monday, June 22, 5-8pm, Van Buren Community Current and Jacks Fork rivers and why we must save them again. Then check the MPA website (http:// Center, Van Buren parks.missouri.org) for a citizen’s guide to the National Tuesday, June 23, 5-8pm, Eminence High School Park Service alternatives prepared by leaders of MPA New Gym, Eminence and Friends of Ozark Riverways. Wednesday, June 24, 5-8pm, Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center, Salem Every comment counts, so please speak up.

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