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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Preserving aquatic life was the mission of one local group as they cleaned up one area pond.

Conservation keepers and the Stream Team got together Saturday afternoon to clean up Spur Pond in Kirksville.

Once a week,  every month,  Missouri's Northeast Regional Conversation office participates in an outdoor activity or they learn something about nature.

The group strives to stay connected with nature and by helping pick up litter around Spur Pond, they say they are accomplishing their goal.

"It's not really healthy for the fish, and you don't want to be eating fish out of polluted water," said Naturalist, Amanda Moore. "Also, it's ugly. People aren't going to want to come here and go fishing if it's dirty and gross looking."

Moore says in her experience cleaning up area ponds, she has picked up everything from bait, to clothes and shoes.