Chillicothe, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host the 28th Sunday, Oct. 19. The tour gives the public a chance to drive on roads and trails not normally open to the public for vehicles. Visitors will find fall color on display and conservation education stopping points as the route winds through rugged hills.
The tour begins at Pike’s Lake on the northeast side of the conservation area, which is reached off Route W and County Road 504 northwest of Chillicothe. Gates will open at noon and the last vehicles will be allowed to begin at 4 p.m. This tour allows visitors through a historical site once known as the Poosey community. Sites such as the Panther’s Den sandstone bluff will be tour stops.
MDC staff members will be stationed along the route to explain habitat management practices benefitting wildlife and native plants. Included will be stops explaining prairie grass ecology, noxious weed eradication, forest management, fisheries management, and wildlife habitat management. Staff will be available to answer questions.
All roads are graded and graveled for easy travel. However some sections of the tour route involve steep slopes and crossings in low areas. Four-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Visitors should allow time for stops to enjoy scenery and discussions at exhibit areas.
The driving tour winds through Poosey’s diverse mix of forest, woodland, fields and lakes. This event is another way MDC encourages people to discover nature. Autumn is a beautiful time to be afield on lands managed for people to enjoy trees, plants and wildlife.
For information on the tour contact MDC Resource Forester Phil Sneed, 660-646-6122. Maps and information about Poosey Conservation Area are at http://on.mo.gov/1p3D4sL. To learn more about conservation in Missouri, http://www.mdc.mo.gov.
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