Missouri Master Naturlist - Lake of the Ozarks Chapter

CAPSTONE PROJECTS - Each graduating class of the Master Naturalist program will participate in a Capstone Project that serves as a transition from training to volunteer service and counts toward volunteer service hour requirements. Examples of projects include research and preparation of a program, training and presentation of developed programs, restoration of natural haitat, development of a species checklist, creation of habitat, designing interpretive displays, signs and brochures, etc. The projects so far have included making improvements to the backyard wildlife habitat on the 40 acre property at the Missouri Department of Conservation Camdenton office, restoring native plants in the state parks, creating exhibits, developing curriculum about groundwater to be used in classrooms, creating displays/exhibits about Lake of the Ozarks and areas around the lake, and more.

VOLUNTEER SERVICE - A wide range of possible volunteer opportunities are available to our members. Activities such as Eagle Days, Outdoor Skills Day and Kids Day Out; Stream Team events, and helping out at schools and public libraries are options. The Conservation Kids Club is an ongoing project in which we have partnered with the Camdenton R-III Schools After School program to help teach our youngsters about preserving our natural resources. Fish counts, turkey watches, and turtle cruising are among other opportunities available. Resource management is also an important aspect. A minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service is required each year to retain certification.

The following tasks/projects are approved for fulfilling your annual 40 hour volunteer service requirement. Other projects/tasks may also qualify. This list does not include Capstone Projects (other than landscaping at the native plant garden).

MDC Native Plant Garden - You can work anytime and/or there are specific workdays planned. Kathy Fayant is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-346-2311 or e-mail kathyfayant@yahoo.com

Stream Team 4193 - For people interested in helping and becoming members of ST4193. To date what will be asked of us is to monitor our stream 4 times per year. Chuck Chur is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-348-5689 or email cchur@isd.net

Eagle Days - In January of each year, MN volunteers are need to help staff the Eagle Days event held at Willmore Lodge, below Bagnell Dam, and at Osage National golf course. Lee Stanley is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-374-1226 or e-mail stanley@usmo.com

Orion Science Center projects
Build/install a bat viewing room and port - This is a winter project since the bats use the shaft all summer and fall. We need a lead/contact for this project. If interested contact Billy Backues at 573 346 9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com

Install an Observation Bee Hive in a window - Mr. Mundhausen indicates he has or can come up with the bee hive so the project involves installing the hive and finding the bees. Gerry Williams is the lead/contact for this project and he can be contacted at 573 374 9147 or e-mail grwms@lakeozark.net.

Build and install a hand rail on an existing trail - The trail is steep and railroad ties have been placed to provide steps. The railing will need to be approximately 25-30 feet long and will only be needed on one side of the steps. Billy Backues is the lead/contact for this project and he can be contacted at 573 346 9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com

Signage for trees and plants on nature trails - The center has a couple hundred yards of trails that need work and need signage to identify the trees and plants. We need a lead/contact for this project. If interested contact Billy Backues at 573-346-9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com

Library Displays for each of the local libraries – The proposal is to install a bookcase display in each of our six library branches. These displays would be rotated quarterly or more often if desired. Bonnie Kester is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-280-6671 or email lakeoz3@aol.com

Development of a brochure and information pack to promote leaving vegetation on the lake waters edge – Ameren U. E. is looking for our help to createa brochure, and develop a demonstration site or sites on private property around the lake. Lee Stanley is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-374-1226 or e-mail stanley@usmo.com

Refurbish the Hurricane Deck School outdoor classroom and nature trail – Ongoing clean-up and signage is needed. Work has been done on this project and it will be ongoing. Terri Thompson is the lead/contact and can be reached at 573-374-5369 or e-mail territ@advertisnet.com

Quail Habitat Improvement at Allen Research Farm - This will include transplanting trees & shrubs, prescribed burns, & general clean-up and wire removal. Billy Backues is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-346-9902 or email ellenbackues@yahoo.com

Highway Cleanup - To be completed 4 times per year. Eric Davis is the lead/contact and can be reached at 573-873-3398 or email ericdav@sbcglobal.net

Conservation Kids Club - There will be monthly meetings with 4th graders held at Hawthorn Elementary in Camdenton. Stations of learning, games, crafts, songs & snacks will be set up for children to cycle through. Station leaders needed. Laura Toombs is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-836-3482 or email zachman_mom@yahoo.com

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

Update displays & maintenance of trails and flower beds at the MDC office.

Assist DNR at Ha Ha Tonka wih maintenance of trails, transplanting plants around the park, assisting DNR personell with planned Saturday park activities, etc. Contact Larry Webb at 573-346-2986 if interested.

If anyone has ideas or projects that they believe could be used to fulfill the annual 40 hrs of volunteer service requirement please complete a Volunteer Project Approval Form and give to the Projects and Volunteer Service Committee for approval.

ADVANCED TRAINING - Advanced training is an opportunity to learn more about specific topics of interest. Numerous training opportunities are available locally and across the state. Advanced training must be approved through the Training & Program committee prior to participation for credit. A minimum of 8 hours of advanced training is required each year to retain certification.

For complete information of Advanced Training opportunities, go to Calendar of Events.



		CAPSTONE PROJECTS, VOLUNTEER SERVICE, and ADVANCED TRAINING
		CAPSTONE PROJECTS - Each graduating class of the Master Naturalist program will participate in a Capstone Project that serves as a transition from training to volunteer service and counts toward volunteer service hour requirements. Examples of projects include research and preparation of a program, training and presentation of developed programs, restoration of natural haitat, development of a species checklist, creation of habitat, designing interpretive displays, signs and brochures, etc. The projects so far have included making improvements to the backyard wildlife habitat on the 40 acre property at the Missouri Department of Conservation Camdenton office, restoring native plants in the state parks, creating exhibits, developing curriculum about groundwater to be used in classrooms, creating displays/exhibits about Lake of the Ozarks and areas around the lake, and more. VOLUNTEER SERVICE - A wide range of possible volunteer opportunities are available to our members. Activities such as Eagle Days, Outdoor Skills Day and Kids Day Out; Stream Team events, and helping out at schools and public libraries are options. The Conservation Kids Club is an ongoing project in which we have partnered with the Camdenton R-III Schools After School program to help teach our youngsters about preserving our natural resources. Fish counts, turkey watches, and turtle cruising are among other opportunities available. Resource management is also an important aspect. A minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service is required each year to retain certification. Approved Volunteer Projects/Tasks The following tasks/projects are approved for fulfilling your annual 40 hour volunteer service requirement. Other projects/tasks may also qualify. This list does not include Capstone Projects (other than landscaping at the native plant garden). MDC Native Plant Garden - You can work anytime and/or there are specific workdays planned. Kathy Fayant is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-346-2311 or e-mail kathyfayant@yahoo.com Stream Team 4193 - For people interested in helping and becoming members of ST4193. To date what will be asked of us is to monitor our stream 4 times per year. Chuck Chur is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-348-5689 or email cchur@isd.net Eagle Days - In January of each year, MN volunteers are need to help staff the Eagle Days event held at Willmore Lodge, below Bagnell Dam, and at Osage National golf course. Lee Stanley is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-374-1226 or e-mail stanley@usmo.com Orion Science Center projects Build/install a bat viewing room and port - This is a winter project since the bats use the shaft all summer and fall. We need a lead/contact for this project. If interested contact Billy Backues at 573 346 9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com Install an Observation Bee Hive in a window - Mr. Mundhausen indicates he has or can come up with the bee hive so the project involves installing the hive and finding the bees. Gerry Williams is the lead/contact for this project and he can be contacted at 573 374 9147 or e-mail grwms@lakeozark.net. Build and install a hand rail on an existing trail - The trail is steep and railroad ties have been placed to provide steps. The railing will need to be approximately 25-30 feet long and will only be needed on one side of the steps. Billy Backues is the lead/contact for this project and he can be contacted at 573 346 9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com Signage for trees and plants on nature trails - The center has a couple hundred yards of trails that need work and need signage to identify the trees and plants. We need a lead/contact for this project. If interested contact Billy Backues at 573-346-9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com Library Displays for each of the local libraries – The proposal is to install a bookcase display in each of our six library branches. These displays would be rotated quarterly or more often if desired. Bonnie Kester is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-280-6671 or email lakeoz3@aol.com Development of a brochure and information pack to promote leaving vegetation on the lake waters edge – Ameren U. E. is looking for our help to createa brochure, and develop a demonstration site or sites on private property around the lake. Lee Stanley is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-374-1226 or e-mail stanley@usmo.com Refurbish the Hurricane Deck School outdoor classroom and nature trail – Ongoing clean-up and signage is needed. Work has been done on this project and it will be ongoing. Terri Thompson is the lead/contact and can be reached at 573-374-5369 or e-mail territ@advertisnet.com Quail Habitat Improvement at Allen Research Farm - This will include transplanting trees & shrubs, prescribed burns, & general clean-up and wire removal. Billy Backues is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-346-9902 or email ellenbackues@yahoo.com Highway Cleanup - To be completed 4 times per year. Eric Davis is the lead/contact and can be reached at 573-873-3398 or email ericdav@sbcglobal.net Conservation Kids Club - There will be monthly meetings with 4th graders held at Hawthorn Elementary in Camdenton. Stations of learning, games, crafts, songs & snacks will be set up for children to cycle through. Station leaders needed. Laura Toombs is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-836-3482 or email zachman_mom@yahoo.com Additional Volunteer Opportunities Update displays & maintenance of trails and flower beds at the MDC office. Assist DNR at Ha Ha Tonka wih maintenance of trails, transplanting plants around the park, assisting DNR personell with planned Saturday park activities, etc. Contact Larry Webb at 573-346-2986 if interested. If anyone has ideas or projects that they believe could be used to fulfill the annual 40 hrs of volunteer service requirement please complete a Volunteer Project Approval Form and give to the Projects and Volunteer Service Committee for approval. ADVANCED TRAINING - Advanced training is an opportunity to learn more about specific topics of interest. Numerous training opportunities are available locally and across the state. Advanced training must be approved through the Training & Program committee prior to participation for credit. A minimum of 8 hours of advanced training is required each year to retain certification. Upcoming Advanced Training Opportunities Monthly AT at most chapter meetings - 1 hour For complete information of Advanced Training opportunities, go to Calendar of Events. Learn more about the Missouri Master Naturalist Program.












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CAPSTONE PROJECTS, VOLUNTEER SERVICE, and ADVANCED TRAINING