Zebra Mussels

Group Info

Zebra Mussels

Maryville, Missouri

Jan 01, 2010

7th Grade .

Deb Still

Tory Mason- Missouri Conservation Department

Dave Middleton- Mozingo Lake

education

community clean up

When the 7^th graders at Maryville Middle School were asked to start a project that would benefit their community, they not only did this but also incorporated conservation efforts into their project. Mozingo Lake, located in Maryville, Missouri plays a large role in the Northwest Missouri community, offering a place for community members to boat, fish, camp, and golf.

The goal of the project was to inform boaters in Northwest Missouri about the dangers of zebra mussels and the proper ways to clean their aquatic equipment. The information that the 7^th graders wanted to present to the community included the basic information about zebra mussels.

Zebra mussels are not native to the United States, and when a body of water becomes inhabited by them, the mussels tend to attach themselves to intake pipes, causing problems for the water systems. Zebra mussels have not yet contaminated Mozingo Lake, and in order to keep the waters free of the mussels, precaution must be taken.

In order for the students to inform the boating community about the dangers of zebra mussels, fliers were sent through the mail to all individuals who have a licensed boat in Northwest Missouri. Fliers were also placed on vehicles parked around boating docks periodically during boating season. The information on the fliers included the precautions the boaters must take when entering a new body of water, which are washing the boat in 104°F water, and also not using the same bait that was used in different waters. The students also oversaw the placement of a sign near Mozingo Lake that warns the boaters about the dangers of zebra mussels, and what should be done to protect against them. An article was also published in the Maryville Middle School newsletter about the dangers of zebra mussels.

The students worked with teacher Deb Still to complete this project. Also, Tory Mason of the Missouri Conservation Department was their community partner; she provided the group with information about zebra mussels and different agencies that contributed to the project. Dave Middleton from Mozingo Lake also served the group as a community partner.

With this project that the Maryville Middle School 7^th graders started, boaters in the Northwest Missouri area will be more aware of the dangers of zebra mussels, which will reduce the chances of contaminating the water.

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