We traveled to Columbia to view the judging of the Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Before the contest began, we were given a very educational tour of the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Facility. Our tour was arranged by Tim Haller, the state coordinator of the Junior Duck Stamp Contest, who does an excellent job. Our tour guide was Nile Kemble, a research fish biologist, shown above. He did a fantastic job explaining the importance of monitering the health of the entire food chain in a pond, stream or wetland environment.
We were introduced to a variety of insects, worms, isopods, and fish that are studied at the research center. Joy and Anna are viewing a tank of rainbow trout. We also saw some sturgeon and catfish each at least three feet long.
Nathanael viewing some "critters" under the microscope. Joining us on the tour were the Ymker family, who took all these photos, and the Jenkin family, homeschoolers from Pittsburg, MO who have participated in the Duck Stamp contest as long as we have. Brie Jenkins won Missouri's Best of Show in 2007.
We also toured some of their research ponds until it started raining, and Glory snuggled up.
3 comments:
I didn't realize that our guide's name was Mr. Kemper!
We thought it was Mr. Kimble!
*Abby Y. :)
It is Kemble, I misspelled it. Thanks for the comment.
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