I Am Conservation

Icicles hang from the bluffs as canoeist Dave Tobey enjoys a winter paddle, in the rain, on the Current River near Blue Spring. Tobey, who lives on the Current River near Round Spring, enjoys floating Missouri’s Ozark rivers year-round. Winter can be an excellent time for a float. You usually have the water to yourself, and it is easier to view wildlife. With some common sense precautions, winter canoeing can be safe and enjoyable. “The first time I put my paddle in the Current River was in the late 1950s when my family started camping at what was then called Round Spring State Park,” said Tobey. “Today, after many years of twists and turns down the river, I appreciate the opportunity to share a deep appreciation for the river teaching outdoor education classes at Westminster College and serving as an Interpretive Park Ranger with the National Scenic Riverways. Now, more than ever, the water quality of the river, along with the quality of each person’s experience in the park, is dependent on the behavior, skills, and habits of visitors and residents of the area.”—Photo by David Stonner