SierraScape April - May 2006
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text by Leslie Lihou
photo courtesy of Kathy Wodell

From left to right: Diane Albright, Jim Rhodes, George Behrens, and ExCom Chair Del Johnson.

At the January 26, 2006, general meeting the Eastern Missouri Group presented Outstanding Service Awards to two of our venerable veterans, Jim Rhodes and George Behrens. In their long tenures with the Sierra Club both have served on the Executive Committee, the managing body of the EMG. Both men have guided people to explore Missouri's natural places by hiking, camping and canoeing. Because George and Jim are masterful map readers, their followers are assured that their explorations will be directed and unprotracted, and their leaders' skills will provide a competitive edge in securing a convenient campsite.

Equally at ease guiding members in committee or in the wilds, Jim Rhodes steered the Sierra Club as EMG ExCom member and Chair for four years beginning in 1996 and also as a member of Missouri Ozark Chapter ExCom. For five years he organized programs for the general meetings. Through the years he has conducted hikes, canoe trips, and tours of water treatment facilities. In 1994 Jim Rhodes and I graduated from the fledgling Stream Team Academy, a joint effort of Missouri Department of Conservation and MO Department of Natural Resources. For the next ten years we monitored water quality first on Creve Coeur Creek and later shifted to Fox Creek, a pristine, biodiverse creek near Eureka.

As a DNR environmental engineer, Jim brings expertise to water quality monitoring and also access to equipment, maps, advice and enforcement. His contacts and his commitment to protecting water quality, offered us opportunities to advocate successfully for a healthy watershed. Moreover, Jim introduces Ethical Society members to environmental issues and involves the Ethical Society members in forays into the outdoors. Two years ago Jim deferred his leadership role and experienced the rigors and inspirations of floating an Alaskan river on a national Sierra Club wilderness trip.

George Behrens contributed to the EMG as woodsman, elected official and educational film director. In the early 1990's George served as EMG Chair and Vice-Chair of ExCom and since 1984 has participated on the Outings Committee, at times as Co-Chair. Besides organizing day hikes and backpack trips, George eased novices into outdoor overnights with his car camping tours. Most Sierrans have encountered George leading his canoeing activities. Have you honed your skills at the yearly EMG canoe clinic? George secured the teachers. Have you judged the springtime white water races? George assigned you your position. Have you dodged barges on the Mississippi River or zipped down the Missouri to spend peaceful hours on the perfect sandbar? You have canoed with George. Have you canoed in the winter without wool or polypro clothing? You were NOT under George's leadership. In addition he has constructed trail and advocated for low impact use of the Ozark Trail. An eclectic outings leader, George has toured cleanup sites contaminated with toxic wastes. A culmination of his outings career-in collaboration with Bob Gestel-George directed an outings leaders training film starring local Sierra Club talent.

Since George owns Behrens' Appliances, you should call after business hours (6:00pm) to inquire about his outings. However, if you want to sing in a non-judgmental atmosphere, just show up at his February sing-along at the Sierra Club office.

Both Jim Rhodes and George Behrens continue to contribute their talents and commitment to provide "outstanding service" to the EMG Sierra Club. What better way to advocate for the environment than to involve people in nature!