Dr. Daniel Beckman, professor of biology at Missouri State University, received an award of $10,220 from the City of Springfield. This grant will help assess the health of urban streams flowing through Springfield, monitor the progress toward improvement of water quality and monitor the impacts of human influences.

This is the seventh year the study has been supported. Each fall and spring a group of students collect and identify “benthic macro-invertebrates” from local streams, such as the Jordan and Wilson’s creeks. Results from previous years have shown stabilities in the streams flora and fauna, although there are some indicators of moderate urban impacts on these streams.

“This project provides field experience to students and gives us an opportunity to assist with the monitoring and improvement of water quality that affects the Springfield and southwest Missouri region,” said Beckman.

For more information, contact Beckman at (417) 836-5980.