A little over a month into my second round of the VetsWork Program is going well. We are gearing up for the start of the recreation season. This entails getting all of the campgrounds cleaned, mowed, limbs removed, trees trimmed, hazard trees felled, and water systems restored. We are currently working on Markham Springs campground. The winter months have not been kind to the area in regards to leaf litter, broken limbs and downed trees.

Markham Springs

I am looking forward to the opportunity to work on a joint project with the Missouri Department of Conservation. We will be doing a fish inventory survey at two of the lakes on the Eleven Point Ranger District. This will entail a late night working after dark on the lakes pulling in fish with dip nets and recording their species and size.

Campsite at Markham Springs after clearing leaves.

The people I work with here on Zone 2 (Eleven Point and Poplar Bluff Ranger Districts) have been very welcoming. I have known several of them for a few years and they treat me like another member of the family.

Bubbling Spring at Markham

Putting up a sign with Anthony Lee and 2 fellow VetsWork interns: Cole York (Right) and Jarrett Chilton (Center)