Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
Water Quality, Native Plants, and the Missouri River
Find out how native plants can affect water quality and be used to help the Missouri River.
Native plants are adapted to the region. Pollinators and wildlife rely upon them, so does water quality.
Learn about how to start using native plants at home to improve water quality in the Missouri River.
Meet Your Presenters
Stephen VanRhein
, MDC
Stephen VanRhein is with the Missouri Department of Conservation Private Land Services Division.
Will Gibson
, Blue Thumb Nursery
Will Gibson is owner and founder of Blue Thumb Nursery.
Related Presentations
Resources & Links
The Big Muddy Speakers Series in Kansas City
is hosted by these wonderful partners!
- Healthy Rivers Partnership
- Little Blue River Watershed Coalition
- Kansas City Digital Video
- Missouri River Relief
- Lights On - KCK
Thanks to all of our venue hosts for making this possible! Click here for a list of upcoming presentations» The Big Muddy Speaker Series is also held monthly in Rocheport and St. Charles.
Recordings of Presentations
Kansas City Digital Video has been recording Big Muddy Speaker Series presentations. These are available on their website at this link. Some contain synchronized powerpoint presentations. We will be posting these to the archived presentation pages on bigmuddyspeakers.org.
We are deeply saddened by our loss of KCDV's driving founder, Michael Morgan. Our hearts are with his family. Big Muddy Speaker Series will always be indebted to his vision, skill and selfless hard work.
The views and opinions expressed by our presenters do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of Healthy Rivers Partnership, the Big Muddy Speaker Series or any of the partners that support this public forum. The Big Muddy Speaker Series believes that hearing diverse perspectives is a crucial building block for an informed public.
Upcoming Presentations
Leave No Trace Training on the Barge
October 14, 2026St. Louis, MO
Join us for a special Big Muddy Speaker Series on the Living Lands & Waters Barge where Perry Whitaker will lead us in a Leave No Trace Training.
See Event
Missouri River Relief: 25 Years on the Big Muddy
November 10, 2026Columbia, MO
Join us for a journey through time celebrating 25 years of Missouri River Relief's work on the Big Muddy.
See Event
Plastic Pollution, Gulf Hypoxia, and Water Quality
November 11, 2026St Charles, MO
Jennifer Wendt from MidAmerica Clean Future guides us through understanding regional water quality challenges.
See Event