A support group and a lab in the St. Louis area provide resources for people with the allergy to mammal products — and evidence that its effects can be reversed.
Our student journalists from the University of Missouri had a chance earlier this month to get up close and personal with the Missouri River – the longest river in the country, even longer than the Mississippi River into which it drains.
“Most people have never had the opportunity to get out on the river, which creates a disconnect between us and our natural resources," said Ag & Water Desk executive director Sara Shipley Hiles, who organized the trip with the nonprofit Missouri River Relief.
"Once you get to know something, you can appreciate it, and once you appreciate it, you can take steps to care for it,” Hiles said.
Students learned about the watershed’s ecology and history, the research and conservation efforts taking place there, and the communities that have shaped the river for many generations.
“I really appreciated this opportunity to engage more with indigenous history,” said science writing student Athena Fosler-Brazil. “As someone not from the Midwest, I found the experience quite elucidating of both the local environment and the people who have lived on this land for centuries."
These student journalists will use what they learned in future reporting for Mizzou-based news outlets, many of which are members of the Ag & Water Desk’s network. (Click here to learn more about our partnership.)
“I loved hearing how perceptions of the river changed after the trip,” said Hiles. “It went from being a scary, intimidating thing to something that’s complex and beautiful.”
How do you connect with your local waterways and watershed? Send us your story ideas at info@agwaterdesk.org or by replying to this email.
Thanks as always for reading,
Annie Ropeik
Ag & Water Desk Assistant Director
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