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May 29, 2009

Scouts build, set up bird-nesting boxes along Shoal Creek

By Wally Kennedy

wkennedy@joplinglobe.com

The bug spray was applied liberally to the arms and legs of about 15 Boy Scouts before they tackled their task in the woods along Shoal Creek.

The Scouts, members of Troop 70 at Carl Junction, erected about 35 nesting boxes on property along the creek that is owned by the Missouri American Water.

“I’ll tell you, they came ready to work,” said Christie Barnhart, spokeswoman for the company, of the Scouts’ effort late Thursday afternoon.

Christina Nugent was there with her son, John.

“We had ladders and we brought some cordless drills,” she said. “It didn’t take long.”

Nugent, who is the troop’s secretary, said the teenagers built the nesting boxes over two Saturdays.

“They have to put in so many hours of service projects. Building the boxes and then putting them up help with their rank,” she said. “We sprayed them down for ticks before they started. We had plenty of cans of Off.”

The boxes were built to provide nesting sites for bluebirds, chickadee, screech owls and wrens. The project is being undertaken to improve wildlife biodiversity on property adjacent to Shoal Creek, particularly for cavity-nesting bird species.

Barnhart said Missouri American Water has been working with the World Bird Sanctuary, based in St. Louis, to conduct species counts at its properties across the state as part of the company’s environmental stewardship program.

Species counts provide an inventory of the various bird species using the properties. From that, the Scouts determined the types of boxes to be installed.

“This partnership allows us to enhance local habitat and improve the overall environmental health of our property,” said Matthew Barnhart, Joplin operations manager. “Teaming up with the Scouts is a very effective way to utilize local resources to improve our community.”

Similar nesting box projects are under way at the company’s operations in St. Joseph and St. Louis.

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