Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute

 

OEWRI's mission is to advance our scientific understanding of water resource quantity, quality, and distribution in Ozarks watersheds.

Centrally located in Springfield, Missouri, OEWRI provides technical expertise, analytical capability, and student training to support environmental research, watershed monitoring programs, and watershed group activities in the Ozarks. It directs and collaborates on research projects aimed at solving runoff, channel network, and water quality and supply problems by working in partnership and cooperation with university researchers, environmental groups, local communities, and government agencies.

OEWRI's mission has three main goals:

1. Conduct applied and basic research to understand the influence of natural processes, human activities, and climate change on watershed health, water resources, and aquatic habitats;
2. Establish regional partnerships, disseminate information, and provide educational and training opportunities related to scientific monitoring and management of water resources;
3. With our partners, help develop policy alternatives to address water resources questions raised by decision-makers based on scientific sampling and analytical protocols.

Public Affairs

OEWRI supports Missouri State University's mission in Public Affairs and its three components in ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement. In addition, OEWRI programs are central to the public affairs theme in science and the environment for research and education. These themes overlap in the support of research and management efforts to improve environmental and community sustainability often in partnership with other academic and administrative programs at Missouri State University.