Q&A with Nick Voss

After the water gets pumped from the river into the intake building, it passes through a chain of lakes on its way to the treatment plant: Charles, Pleasant, Sucker and Vadnais. Over lunch, kids generated questions about the lakes to send to Nick Voss, an educator for the Vadnais Lakes Area Watershed Management Organization that manages water at the lakes and nearby areas. I asked Nick a few questions to learn more about his work.

Q: What do you do for your job?
A: As an Education/Outreach Coordinator, I visit schools and plan workshops with adults to teach them about water. We talk about stormwater, runoff, and raingardens, and sometimes plan volunteer events to help out water quality.

Q: What do you like best about your job?
A: I love the many different interactions that I have to have in a given week. A watershed is made of dozens of groups of people, all making one big community. I enjoy discovering how everyone can contribute in their own special way.

Q: What is your favorite thing about water?
A: My favorite thing about water is the birds-- different birds favor wet areas vs dry areas. While they can be a fun challenge to spot and identify, they're also important indicators of the health of an ecosystem.

Q: What is your favorite place on the Mississippi River?
A: Definitely Crosby Park, just before the Confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. There is a certain tree on the sandy beach that hangs over the water. It's just perfect for a relaxing sit or even a nap!

Q: What do you think people should know about water or that might surprise them about water? [Or about the place(s) you are interpreting]
A: While it may not look like it at first, there are countless things to learn and observe in and around water. It just takes a bit of study to get acquainted with it, but once you've got it, you've got it for life and you can help share it with others!

Thanks, Nick, for your time and your help understanding Sucker Lake and the rest of the lakes in the area!