Daniel Boone, Meriwether Lewis, and
William Clark traveled Central Missouri when it was a diverse mix of prairies,
savannas, forests, marshes and rivers that were homes to abundant plant and
wildlife species.
Central Region Conservation Priorities |
Daniel Boone, Meriwether Lewis, and
William Clark traveled Central Missouri when it was a diverse mix of prairies,
savannas, forests, marshes and rivers that were homes to abundant plant and
wildlife species.
Early settlers found greater prairie chicken and bison in the prairies and deer, elk, wild turkeys and bears in the forests. Savannas were home to quail and other edge species while glades provided habitat for unique plants and animals such as prairie dandelion and scorpions. Marshes and floodplains provided habitat for migrating waterfowl, beaver, mink, otter, raccoon and other animals.
The Missouri River was a braided stream with many chutes, sloughs, islands and channels. It meandered across its wide floodplain creating diverse terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Sandbars and wooded islands dotted the channel, and submerged snags and trees provided cover for some of the largest fish in Missouri.
(above) Enlightened conservation programs will assist grassland wildlife such as the bobwhite quail.
Much
has changed on the central Missouri landscape during the past two centuries.
Settlers cleared forests, drained wetlands and converted prairies to crop and
pasture land. Fires, an important element in maintaining prairies and savannas,
were suppressed by residents protecting their homes and outbuildings. Government
and privately funded programs channelized many of the rivers in the region,
especially the Missouri River, which was 46 miles longer and had 143 more islands
in 1897 than it does today.
(left) Forested stream corridors along Whetstone Creek in Callaway County help fish and wildlife, while promoting better water quality
Central
Missouri has a bounty of fish, forest and wildlife resources available to the
public. The Missouri Department of Conser-vation manages 90 conservation areas
totaling 69,800 acres in the region, including many public access points on
streams and the Missouri River, which flows for 265 miles through the region.
Over 98 percent of the land in the Central Region is in private
ownership. The future of the region to support a healthy environment
for fish, wildlife and forests belongs to
private landowners. The Conservation Department hopes to continue
to work closely with landowners who wish to improve the fish,
forest and wildlife resources on their land.
Rowcrops, pasture and hayfields occur on the bulk of private
lands. Fragmentation of land ownership is a growing concern in
the region. The Conservation Department realizes
the long-term success in maintaining, restoring and protecting
the region's natural resources requires an acceptance of the role
and importance of production agriculture and private land ownership.
(left above) The combination of private landowners and conservation programs that encourage wildlife are important in the Central Region.
Integrating fish, forest and wildlife management with production
agriculture and land
ownership fragmentation is a priority challenge
for the 21st century.Fishing opportunities abound in the Central
Region. Those in search of a trophy or a tasty meal can choose
from numerous lakes, ponds, streams and the Missouri River. Hunters
can find upland game, migrating waterfowl and big game like deer
and wild turkeys in good numbers throughout the region. The public
also can enjoy target shooting on 10 range facilities, and hiking
or horseback riding on designated area trails.
School groups, civic organizations and the general public can enjoy the Runge Conservation Nature Center, located in Jefferson City. Nature exhibits, hiking trails, scheduled programs, movies and a gift shop provide valuable resource interpretation for visitors.
(right)
Danville Conservation Area in Montgomery County
An additional 26,000 acres of public land are collectively owned by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. While the total public acreage seems impressive, public land makes up less than two percent of the Central Region.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is committed to improving the fish, forest and wildlife resources of the state. To meet this goal, participation in resource stewardship by citizens is necessary. We will expand educational opportunities so more of the Central Region population is exposed to the conservation message. We also will make increased opportunities for outdoor recreation available to the residents and visitors of the region.
Additional facilities identified for development on certain high-use areas include group camping, accessible waterfowl hunting and viewing blinds, a staffed shooting range and additional privies and parking areas - all developed within Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards.
Natural Areas are
lands representing the best examples of biological communities in the state,
permanently protected and managed for the purpose of preserving their natural
qualities. Examples are prairies, springs, glades, savannas, oxbows and caves.
These areas serve as the core for restoration of a larger area, and are prime
sites for the education of the public. With the mixed agriculture/ industry
and increased urbanization in the region, we are identifying and conserving
communities that qualify as Natural Areas.
(left) Conservation plans will provide marsh/bottomland forest habitat.
The Conservation Department realizes that conservation of fish, forest and wildlife resources depends on a positive working relationship between landowners and professional resource managers. The importance of this continued relationship in programs and consultation is reflected in the following Regional Conservation Priorities.
(right)
A waterfowl hunter uses a disabled-accessible blind at Eagle Bluffs Conservation
Area.
Projected 10-year Conservation Priorities Include Private Lands
The Conservation Department is projecting the restoration of 15,000 acres of wooded stream side buffers. This bottomland forest habitat is important for many species of plants and animals.
By
working with willing landowners, the Conser-vation Department plans to cooperatively
manage 50,000 acres of forest, 1,500 acres of wetlands, 100 acres of prairie,
300 acres of glade and 2,000 acres of savanna habitat. Increased landowner contact,
more efficient service delivery and demonstration sites will be used to reach
these goals.
(right) Fishermen hold flathead catfish caught in hte Missouri river.
(left)
Plans call for expanding and improving educational opportunities for field
trips
The end result of these efforts will be increased and improved
habitat for the fish, forest and wildlife resources of the state.
An important by- product will be the increased value of the land
and increased recreational opportunities for the landowner and
resource users
in the region.
The Missouri Department of Conservation's mission is to "Protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife resources of the state; to serve the public and facilitate their participation in resource management activities; and to provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about fish, forest and wildlife resources." This publication serves as a brief outline summarizing the management priorities for the next decade in the Central Region.
For more information on the Conservation Department's programs and services in the Central Region, contact: Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia, MO 65201 Reach us by phone at 573/884-6861 or by fax at 573/882-9807.
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