Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) recently honored a non-profit organization, a volunteer group of students, an environmental educator, a state park and a High School Key Club at its annual meeting Nov. 29. Each year, Ozark Rivers recognizes individuals and organizations that help the district meet its goal of reducing solid waste by 40 percent through a commitment to recycling and waste reduction.

“As chairman of the ORSWMD, it’s my honor to help recognize the recipients of the awards for Outstanding Achievements in Solid Waste Management,” Chairman Brady Wilson said. “These awardees set an example for others to follow. Whether it be recycling, education or environmental improvement, their grassroots efforts lead to positive changes that benefit the entire region. The annual banquet is the district’s opportunity to thank these individuals and groups for their role in taking care of our natural world.”

Those honored were:

• Earth’s Classroom, an 179-acre facility in Rosebud founded by Bill and Jody Miles, that provides environmental awareness and appreciation through the use of experiential education;
• The Eco-Miners, a volunteer group of students from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, who have worked with ORSWMD on seven illegal dump cleanups during the last four years;
• Valerie McEuen, a teacher at Bourbon High School, who instills a deep sense of environmental awareness in her students through day-long excursions, related documentaries and creating projects (public service announcements or artful interpretations of solid waste challenges);
• Onondaga Cave State Park, located on the Meramec River, raised awareness and educated the public on environmental issues through special events and festivals held at the park and doubled the material recovered for recycling from 3,052 pounds in 2013 to 6,101 pounds in 2015; and
• The Dixon High School Key Club, with the dedicated support of educator Trisha McCray, has been growing its school based recycling program since 2012 and providing recycling education to some 500 elementary school students.

The Ozark Rivers District includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities with populations of 500 or more. The district’s strategy for solid waste reduction, which has been individually adopted by all member governments and approved by Missouri Department of Natural Resources involves intense education and increased recycling efforts in member counties and cities. MRPC provides administration of the district and assists with a variety of implementation projects.

For more information about ORSWMD or waste reduction and recycling opportunities in the Ozark Rivers area, contact Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC environmental programs manager, at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 24, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion.

Award winners cutline: ORSWMD Chairman Brady Wilson (3rd from the right) presented awards to Earth’s Classroom Founders Bill Miles (left) and Jody Miles, Onondaga Cave State park represented by Lori Moore and Connie Stephens, Dixon High School Key Club represented by Trisha McCray, Valerie McEuen and the Eco-Miners represented by Jillian Hunt and Joshua Breedlove in recognition of their environmental efforts within the Ozark Rivers region.