Spotlight: Ozark National Scenic Riverways

April 18 - 24th just happens to be National Parks Week, National Volunteer Week, and Earth Week! To celebrate, we’re highlighting the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a beautiful region of Missouri that ACSTL Members serve in and help preserve.

Though we do not have a direct partnership agreement with the National Park Service, each year we usually serve alongside them during prescribed burns or wildfire response, in the beautiful Ozark National Scenic Riverways region. This year, Members even conducted an rare plant species survey in the area (snow trillium)! There is a long history of National Service in this area, including the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, when workers built trails and campsites, planted trees, and even helped restore the historic Alley Spring Mill (an ERT photoshoot favorite)!

ACSTL Members Trey Barthol, Ryan Rodriquez, Ben LaRose, Izzy Rabalais, Chris Parker, and Tracy Burton Bravo at the historic Alley Spring Mill.

The Ozark region has a rich history and culture, dating back to the late Ice Age. The area was first inhabited by many native tribes, including Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Quapaw, Osage, and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo).

“Every April, during the presidentially proclaimed National Park Week, we join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, to celebrate America's treasures. National Park Week is a time to explore amazing places, discover stories of history and culture, help out, and find your park.”

“Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first national park area to protect a river system. The Current and Jacks Fork rivers are two of the finest floating rivers you'll find anywhere. Spring-fed, cold and clear they are a delight to canoe, swim, boat or fish. Besides these two famous rivers, the park is home to hundreds of freshwater springs, caves, trails and historic sites such as Alley Mill.” - NPS