Angel Kruzen, Water Sentinel
I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is Angel Kruzen and I am the Sierra Club’s Water Sentinel for Missouri. I am currently working in the Kansas City area but plan on working later in St. Louis. I am focused on the watersheds of the Blue River, Little Blue River, Indian Creek, and Brush Creek in Kansas City.
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, so I understand the problems of the urban stream. As a child I loved to go to my Aunt Is’s House because two doors down was a beautiful little stream. I remember the stream introducing me to my first tadpole, wading, and hopping from rock to rock. I remember the fun I had as a child catching my first frog. Then, later, I remember the puzzlement of wondering what was happening to my friends. Where were the frogs, what was that green slime, and why did it stink? I remember my mom telling me to stay away because I could get sick.
I now know that what had happen to my stream was that it had been turned into a drainage ditch for the city. I hope that the Water Sentinel program can help to save or restore some of the urban streams for children to remember and love.
There is nothing like watching the light of understanding and love that comes into a person’s eye as they learn about the life of a stream. I am looking forward to working with all of you.
You can reach Angel at pansgarden@hotmail.com