WHAT IS A NATURAL AREA?

Much of Missouri's original landscape no longer exists. But thanks to the Missouri Natural Areas System some examples of it are being preserved and protected. Natural areas are important benchmarks to evaluate environmental change and serve as reservoirs of the state biological diversity. Additionally, natural areas provide opportunities for scientific study as well as educational, cultural, and recreational uses. Through protection from development and by managing to preserve the natural characteristics of the areas, the best examples of natural communities are preserved. Natural areas often provide essential habitat for rare and endangered plants and animals.

The Missouri Natural Areas Committee is an interagency committee, consisting of representatives of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, and the National Park Service which coordinate the classification, inventory, designation, and stewardship of natural areas in Missouri. Natural areas are owned by a variety of public agencies as well as private concerns.

The Mark Twain National Forest has a wide selection of natural areas, representing fens, sinkhole ponds, glades, forests and aquatic communities.

BLAIR CREEK RAISED FEN NATURAL AREA

A fen is a rare natural community where soils are saturated from the upwelling of mineral-rich groundwater, creating spring rivulets and ooze areas. Blair Creek Raised Fen is the only known raised (dome-shaped) deep muck fen in Missouri. A thick deposit of mucky organic soil has swollen above the surrounding flat land. A distinct group of plants, some forming mats or tussocks, occupy this unusual mound.

DEEP MUCK FEN

A deep muck fen is a bog-like area characterized by 15-40 inches or more of deep mucky soil and pools of standing water. Walking across a deep muck fen can be difficult. They are sometimes called the "quicksand" of the Ozarks. Deep muck fens are dominated by sedges and shrubs, but at Blair Creek Raised Fen the dominant species are umbrella grass, false nettle, orange coneflower, loosestrife, and heart-leafed willow. Other common willows and swamp dogwood trees form a thicket along the edges of the fen where the rare marsh blue violet and spotted touch-me-not can be found.

WILDLIFE AT BLAIR CREEK RAISED FEN

When you visit Blair Creek Raised Fen look for birds which are attracted by the abundance of seeds and insects. The common yellowthroat, swamp sparrow, and red-winged blackbird are likely to feed in the area. The fen provides important habitat for crayfish and snapping turtles. Look for the ridged backs of these turtles protruding from the mucky soil at the edge of the pools. If you are especially lucky, you may see a little blue heron in Missouri taking frogs or crayfish for its dinner. It is also possible to spot the tracks of muskrat, raccoon, and beaver.

OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Owned and managed by USDA Forest Service, Mark Twain National Forest - Salem Ranger District.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS

Collection of plants and animals and vehicular traffic are prohibited. Enjoy all other recreational activities allowed on the National Forest.

ADDITIONAL NATURAL AREAS

You may wish to visit nearby natural areas on the same day. Listed below are both Mark Twain National Forest and Missouri Department of Conservation natural areas. For more information on a particular site, check ownership and contact the Forest Service District Ranger office or the Department of Conservation Wildlife District Supervisor in the town listed.

Grasshopper Hollow-------------------------------------USFS-----------Salem, MO
Lily Pond-------------------------------------------------TNC/MDC-----Piedmont, MO
Johnson's Shut-Ins, Fen, and Dolomite Glade-----DNR-----------Middlebrook, MO
Blue Spring------------------------------------------------MDC----------Ellington, MO

SIZE, LOCATION, AND ACCESS

Three acres in Shannon County. A portion of section 30, T31N, R2W, Midridge 7.5 topographical quadrangle. From Bunker, take state highway 72 southeast to highway P. Turn right on P and go approxiamtely 2.5 miles to forest road 2220. Turn left on 2220, taking the right leg of the Y in the road for 3 miles. Watch for the Ozark Trail marker on the left and a parking sign on the right. Walk the trail south one mile looking on the left for an active beaver pond and the natural area boundary signs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Forest Supervisor
401 Fairgrounds Road
Rolla, MO 65401
(314) 364-4621 TTY

Salem Ranger District
P.O. Box 460
Salem, MO 65560
(314) 729-6656 TTY