As the name implies in the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP), monitoring the physical and biological resources of the Upper Mississippi River requires significant time and results in valuable contributions to the understanding and management of the river. However, LTRMP biologists are actively involved in many other areas of resource management including planning, coordination, partnering, activism, and outreach and education.

Recently, I had two opportunities to express my views and depart a few tidbits of information about the resources of the Middle Mississippi River (MMR) to students at home and abroad. The first opportunity was at the university level in my own backyard, Cape Girardeau, MO. The second opportunity was at the grade school level, but in a medium that could potentially reach anyone in the country. Most scientists enjoy healthy debate, so I jumped at the chance when I was asked by Dr. Duane Ford, Southeast Missouri State University, to present the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC's) and my views on levee projects along the MMR to his Agricultural Ethics class. More specifically, I was asked to comment on the Corps of Engineers' Mississippi River Mainline Levee Enlargement & Berm Construction Project, which calls for raising and widening the mainstem levees along the Mississippi River from Commerce, Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico. I was fully expecting rigorous debate--after all, this was an agriculture class made up of primarily students from southeastern Missouri where levees and ditches are well-liked.

I began my presentation with an overview of the ecological ramifications of levees. I discussed concepts such as floodplain connectivity and the possible application of the flood pulse theory in temperate regions. I presented information and graphics that showed clearly what has been lost due to levee construction and why rivers flood higher with less rainfall today than in the past. Next, and perhaps most importantly, I presented my views and philosophy of the pseudo-debate over people versus endangered species (a recent hot topic in southeastern Missouri). I explained my position as a conservationist on such subjects, which I think reflects the positions of the MDC - people do come first and no true conservationist would jeopardize the rights and economic well-being of any individual. A good conservationist examines all alternatives and finds a solution in which both sides win. This does not mean, however, that a conservationist will roll over in the stampede of so-called economic progress--a pork barrel project is a pork barrel project--but it does mean that comprise and trade-offs are viable options.

I believe that we can have the best of both worlds - strong economies and soundly functioning natural ecosystems. Only our imaginations and stubbornness keep us from attaining it. I concluded my remarks by saying that I don't oppose all levees because some of them are necessary, but we can give the river a little more room and save the American taxpayers a lot of money in the long run. To my surprise, there was no rigorous debate. As a matter of fact, a couple of students were raised on farms in the proposed project areas and totally agreed with me. Some were actually staunchly opposed to levees. Although I didn't get to have my fun with the healthy debate, I felt good that I drove home key points about large river ecology, anthropogenic disturbances to the system, and that conservationists are people too.

The second opportunity involved a personal interview with Nicole Bridges, who represents GlobalLearn. GlobalLearn was founded to prepare children for global citizenship and develop in them the skills, awareness, and determination necessary to become stewards of the earth. They carry out their mission by conducting live, educational expeditions in which students from around the world can participate interactively via the Internet.

GlobalLearn's current project is called the United States Expedition. The project will last from September through November 1998. During that time, adult explorers will travel across the United States and interview experts on issues concerning the Mississippi River, native Americans, and a variety of other subjects ranging from U. S. history to the technological revolution.

Nicole and I discussed several environmental issues surrounding the Mississippi River. This was a timely interview because Sue Corvick (Southeast Missouri State University) and I have been preparing a document about the natural history of the Middle Mississippi River. I was able to use some information from that document in our discussions. Many of the items we discussed were similar to those discussed in Dr. Ford's ethics class, but were scaled down to the fourth to eighth-grade level, which according to Nicole, is the target age of GlobalLearn activities.

Based on one of Nicole's parting statements, I believe the interview was a success. Nicole said she was originally sent on the Mississippi River mission to determine what effects the river has had on people, especially in light of the Great Flood of 1993. It became apparent to her that the real question is What have been the effects of human use on the river? She came away enlightened by how land use, levees, and channelization have exacerbated flooding problems, and also how state and federal agencies are working together in the Middle Mississippi River to do environmentally "smart" things while maintaining the river's congressionally declared multi-use character. Their website is located at www.globallearn.org.

Robert Hrabik - Team Leader, LTRMP Open River Field Station-Cape Girardeau, MO.