Young Conservation Area

Driving Directions

South on Route W off I-44, then 3 miles west on Route FF.

Highlights

This area is mostly forest with prairie and old fields. Facilities/features: a permanent stream (LaBarque Creek).

About This Area


Young Conservation Area, located in north-central Jefferson County, is mostly forest with native warm season grass fields and old fields. LaBarque Creek, a permanent stream running along the northern portion of the area is known for its high quality riparian ecosystem. The 970-acre tract was acquired through a donation and purchase by the Conservation Department in 1986. It is south on Route W off I-44 then 3 miles west on Route FF. The area is about 93 percent forested with oak, maple, hickory and other species native to this region. Deer, turkeys and squirrels are abundant. LaBarque Creek, glade areas, tree plantations and open fields provide diverse wildlife habitat. The two hiking trails, the 2.5 mile Taconic Loop Trail and 3.5 mile LaBarque Hills Trail travel past some of the area¿s natural features including streams, forests, glades, and the various plantations and forest improvement demonstration sites. During your visit, you may view various forest improvement practices designed to improve wildlife habitat, maintain watershed quality and enhance tree growth, quality and species composition. Wildlife management practices include planting fields to serve as food sources and habitat for animals, planting trees, and building brushpiles. Fish habitat improvements, protecting stream banks and planting trees along the stream corridor, are being demonstrated along LaBarque Creek. See educational signs and brochure that describe these practices.

General Information

St. Louis

Jefferson

636-458-2236

Owned by MDC

No single shot projectiles allowed. Please note - the Bridge that crosses the creek on the Taconic Trail has been completed washed out during flash flooding on September 14. A bridge replacement date is unknown at this time.

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Bird Watching  Especially good for forest interior and riparian species. 
Demonstrations  Stream bank stabilization demo site. 
Fishing - Bass Fair population. largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth in creek; largemouth in ponds. 
Fishing - Sunfish Good population. Limited opportunity in ponds, longear and green sunfish in LaBarque Creek. 
Hiking  Scenic 2 1/2 mile loop trail. Easy to moderate difficulty. 
Hunting-Deer Good population. Archery Only 
Hunting-Rabbit Fair population. No single shot projectiles.  
Hunting-Squirrel Good population. No single shot projectiles 
Hunting-Turkey Good population.  
Nature Viewing  Area offers excellent opportunity to view nature, such as spring wildflowers and native birds. 
Trapping with Special Use Permit  With special use permit only. 

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Parking Lot  1   

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Fishing Lake or Pond  2 1.00 acres  
Stream - Permanent LaBarque Creek 1 1.00 miles  

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Grassland (non-prairie) 30.00 This area is being converted to prairie. 
Glade 10.00  
Old Field 20.00  
Forest and Woodland 927.00  
Lakes/Ponds 3.00  
Total Area Acres:990.85 

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Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
Taconic Loop Trail Hiking (Non-Interpretive) 2.50 

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Shooting Range General Information

This area has no shooting ranges.

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