Conservation Priorities
HISTORICAL SKETCH
A king rail carries a crayfish to its eagerly awaiting young.This state-endangered
species, which depends upon permanent marshes for its survival,will
benefit from the Conservation Department's efforts to re-establish
wetlands in the Northeast Region.
Northeast Missouri is a fertile land, once teeming with vast numbers of fish , wildlife and plants. During presettlement time, the Northeast Region was characterized by an interspersion of prairie, savanna, forest , wetland and streams. About one-third of the land was prairie where grassland birds like prairie chickens thrived and elk and bison grazed. The remainder of the landscape was a mosaic of savannas and open woodlands, forests and wetlands. River valleys were lined with marshes and oxbows, which were homes for huge migrating flocks of waterfowl and shorebirds as well as other aquatic animals and plants. Much has changed on the landscape of this corner of Missouri in the past two centuries.To make a living settlers cleared forests, drained wetlands and converted prairies to crop and pasture land. Farm crops now cover about 40 percent of the region, pastures 34 percent, forest s 20 percent and other woodlands five percent. Government and privately funded programs straightened portions of rivers like the Chariton, North Fabius and North Fork Salt. Fish populations in these portions have undergone a 95 percent reduction in the total quantity of harvestable sport fishes.The Mississippi River has been converted to a series of pools to accommodate commercial barge traffic, changes that have resulted in a loss of backwater habitat. Fires, an important element in maintaining prairies and savannas, were suppressed by residents protecting their homes, outbuildings and crops.
THE REGION TODAY
Dark Hollow Natural Area comprises 293 acres in Sullivan County. Natural
Area designation is used to protect unique natural communities such
as old-growth forests, marshes and savannas
Mallards winter in Missouri in great numbers and rely upon open water
to live. They, along with other wetland species, will reap the benefits
of wetland restoration.
Despite dramatic land use changes, Northeast Missouri currently has a bounty of fish , forest and wildlife resources. About three percent of the land in the Northeast Region is in public ownership. The Conservation Department manage s 82 conservation areas totaling just over 89,000 acres, including 41 stream accesses, 33 lakes and three reservoirs.The Missouri Department of Conservation advises and assists the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies with land management at Thomas Hill, Long Branch, Mark Twain reservoirs and the Upper Mississippi Conservation Area . The Conservation Department is committed to improving the fish , forest and wildlife resources of the Northeast Region. Two principles will guide the management of natural resources. First, we are committed to the resource.We strive to ensure that our coordinated efforts conserve the fish, forest and wildlife resources for this and future generations. Second, we will ensure that we provide prompt, courteous and professional service to our constituents, the people of the State of Missouri.
We want to improve fishing in the region, which contains all or part of eight major stream watersheds. Sediment is by far the most significant pollutant of the Northeast Region's streams. Sedimentation and other habitat problems havegreatly diminished the quality of fishing in most streams. We will strive to improve stream conditions in the region by promoting soil conservation methods, including buffer zones of trees and shrubs along streams on both private and public lands. Our plans include more hunting opportunities. At one time, farming was considered virtually synonymous with small game wildlife production.
Today, larger, cleaner crop fields and monoculture stands of tall fescue have substantially reduced the value of the region's agricultural lands to wildlife. We want to improve upland wildlife habitat by providing timely technical assistance to private landowners, working through USDA programs, and developing special partnership projects with other conservation organizations. Additional facilities identified for development on certain high-use conservation areas include hiking trails, shooting ranges and better access to small streams. Facilities such as parking areas, fishing docks and privies will be developed within Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
Natural areas are lands designated as the best examples of biological communities in the state, permanently protected and managed for the purpose of preserving their natural qualities. Examples are prairie, marsh, bottomland forest and savanna.These communities may serve as the core for restoration of a large area and are prime sites for the education of school and youth groups.We plan improvements on existing natural areas that range from conducting prescribed burns to controlling invading exotic plants, and we will nominate additional sites for natural area status.
REGIONAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES CONSERVATION LANDS
Two
anglers check their trotline on a Northeast Region river. The Conservation
Department will continue to use enlightened regulations to ensure the
best fishing possible for residents of the region and also hopes to improve
reservoir fishing.
The Conservation Department strives to lead by example through stewardship of the fish, forest and wildlife resources on areas that we own or manage.
Projected 10-year management priorities include:
- Improve educational opportunities by conducting programs for students and teachers.
- Restore bottomland forests on conservation areas; some will require planting and intensive management.
- Restore wet prairies, marshes and shrub swamps on conservation areas.
- Inventory streamside areas and establish forested corridors.
- Restore additional acres of prairie and savanna on conservation lands.
- Improve open lands, including crop fields and natural grassland communities, for wildlife.
- Provide additional fishing opportunities on reservoirs and hunting opportunities on appropriate portions of conservation areas.
- Improve reservoir fishing by improving bass nursery habitat and seeking favorable water level fluctuations on Corps of Engineers reservoirs.
- Improve lake fishing by adding fish attracting structures for use by panfish, and by establishing muskie and walleye fisheries.
- Expand and improve habitat for rare species including Indiana bats and a variety of declining grassland and marsh nesting birds.
- Upgrade facilities at shooting ranges.
- Adding barrier-free parking lots, campsites and fishing docks.
- Purchase additional public lands where needed and add new sites to the Natural Areas system.
Private Lands
Whitetail deer are an important part of the Northeast Region scene. Most
deer hunting takes place on the 97 percent of the region that is in
private hands. The Conservation Department will use hunting regulations
to ensure quality hunting while maintaining the deer herd at manageable
levels.
With 97 percent of the Northeast Region in private ownership, the Conservation Department strives to engage citizens in resource stewardship by offering conservation planning and assistance.
Projected 10-year management priorities include:
- Improve private landowner services.
- Promote the development and restoration of wetlands on private lands.
- Facilitate the formation of citizen led watershed management groups.
- Increase the effectiveness of Stream Teams by developing a newsletter and a volunteer angler data reporting system.
- Provide technical guidance to all landowners requesting stream side habitat restoration assistance.
- Improve upland wildlife habitat by providing technical help.
- Seek restoration of prairie remnants having the greatest potential.
- Promote the management and expansion of recently established prairie chicken populations.
- Identify and inventory existing high quality savannas and encourage restoration on private lands through USDA programs.
- Seek the protection and restoration of rare and endangered species of wildlife and plants.
Statement of Purpose
Spring visitors to the Dark Hollow Natural Area may get a glimpse of
the beautiful yellow lady's slipper orchid. Such natural areas are
prime sites for the education of school and youth groups.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is constitutionally responsible for the ". . . control, management, restoration, conservation and regulation of the bird, fish, game, forestry and all wildlife resources of the state . . ." This publication is a brief outline summarizing new management priorities for the next decade in the Northeast Region.
Priorities Include:
- Assisting willing landowners to improve their land for fish, forest and wildlife;
- Concentrating management efforts on the three percent of the land held in public conservation areas; and
- Working with other government agencies and non-government organizations to improve habitat for fish and wildlife.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information on the Conservation Department's programs and services in Northeast Missouri, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation, Northeast Regional Office, 3500 South Baltimore, Kirksville MO 63501, phone (660) 785-2420 or Hannibal Office, 653 Clinic Road, Hannibal MO 63401, phone (573) 248-2530. www.mdc.mo.gov
