Conservation Department schedules Landowner Workshop in Malden

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Southeast Missouri landowners are invited to attend the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) 2015 Landowner Workshop at Southeast Missouri State University’s Malden Campus, Feb. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants are asked to sign in at 8 a.m.

According to Tony Jaco, MDC Private Lands Regional Supervisor, the Department holds these workshops to help landowners develop wildlife habitat and manage natural resources on their land.

“More than 90 percent of Missouri is privately owned,” said Jaco. “It’s vital that we equip private landowners to care for that land and its resources and that’s what we do at the landowner workshops.”

Attendees will choose from various one-hour presentations on topics that pertain to private land management. Sessions are designed to offer landowners plenty of how-to suggestions. Topics include

statewide deer management, pond management, waterfowl management, timber management, aquatic vegetation in ponds, trespassing issues, cost share and incentive programs, invasive plants and furbearers and nuisance wildlife.

Lunch will be provided. Class size is limited, so pre-registration is required by Feb. 20. To pre-register, call the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at 573-290-5858.

Southeast Missouri State University - Malden, (SEM) is located at the Harry L. Crisp Bootheel Education Center (CBEC) at 700 North Douglass St. in northwest Malden, Mo., south of the Wal-Mart store when arriving via Highway MO-25 from the North.

For more information on how the Department of Conservation works with private landowners go online to mdc.mo.gov.

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MDC welcomes new wildlife management biologist to southeast Missouri

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) welcomes a new wildlife management biologist, Ryan Dirnberger, to the River Hills and Crowley’s Ridge districts. Dirnberger is based out of the MDC’s Perryville Forestry Office, although his responsibilities include managing conservation areas in Cape Girardeau, Perry, Scott, Ste. Genevieve, and Stoddard counties.

Matt Bowyer, MDC wildlife regional supervisor, said Dirnberger will also be an asset to the

community as a resource to answer wildlife and habitat questions.

Dirnberger earned his B.S. Degree in Wildlife Conservation Biology from Southeast Missouri State University -.  After obtaining his degree, he worked part time for the MDC’s Fisheries and Resource Science Divisions in the southeast region before being hired as a resource science assistant in Chillicothe.

In Chillicothe, Dirnberger worked as a crew leader for large river sampling on the Missouri River, supervised staff, and assisted with public events and educational programs.  During this time, Dirnberger also produced a report on the growth of sauger that was later published in the American Journal of Fisheries Management. 

In 2010, Dirnberger transferred to the MDC’s Wildlife Division and gained experience in the management of wildlife habitats as a resource assistant at Duck Creek Conservation Area.  In the last four years, he has worked at Duck Creek carrying out numerous management practices on the wetland and upland habitats. 

Over the years, Dirnberger has worked additional assignments doing urban deer surveys, waterfowl banding, dove banding, elk trapping, quail surveys, and swamp rabbit surveys.  He has worked hard to obtain additional training in areas that add to his skill set as a manager, including certification as a Missouri Prescribed Fire Burn Boss and burn planner.  He has federal certifications as a Fire Fighter Type 2 and is chainsaw certified as a Faller Type A.  During his time at Duck Creek, Dirnberger became known for always being one of the first to volunteer to help other districts and divisions in their time of need.  He has repeatedly taken advantage of opportunities to cross train with other divisions including working with professional staff in Fisheries, Forestry, Resource Science and Private Lands Divisions. 

“This desire to grow professionally as a biologist combined with a strong work ethic, great teamwork, and a broad background of on the ground management and monitoring practices will benefit Dirnberger greatly as a wildlife management biologist,” Bowyer said.

“I am really excited to improve habitat on our conservation areas and work with landowners in the River Hills and Crowley’s Ridge districts,” Dirnberger said.

Dirnberger may be reached at the Perryville Forestry Office at 573-547-4537. He currently resides in Chaffee with his fiancée, Lora Brewer.

Janzow photo exhibit highlights southeast Missouri diversity

River scenes and mountain views will catch the attention of visitors to the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center in June. The center will feature work by photographer and

The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center's
June photo exhibit by photographer and wildlife biologist,
 Marcus Janzow, will feature the rich
biodiversity of southeast Missouri.

wildlife biologist, Marcus Janzow, in the monthly art display.

Janzow’s exhibit, titled “Diverse Landscapes of Southeast Missouri,” focuses on the extreme natural diversity of the southeast Missouri region, from the St. Francois Mountains and the Mississippi River hills to springs and streams of the Ozarks and the sand prairies of the Bootheel.

The focus for all activities and exhibits at the Nature Center is ‘Connecting people to the land’ and Sara Turner, the manager of the nature center, said Janzow’s photographs go a long way toward highlighting the great diversity of land and natural resources that abound throughout southeast Missouri.

“These natural communities are prime targets for the lens of a camera, and we hope our community will be inspired to connect with the land by visiting these places after they view this June exhibit,” Turner said.

The exhibit is free and available to view any time during normal operating hours at the nature center, Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information on other programs at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, go online to mdc.mo.gov.

Cape Nature Center: June ‘Families in Nature’ event set with two fun-filled sessions

The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center invites all to attend the Families in Nature Saturday, June 7. According to Education Consultant, Bridget Jackson, the center has made adjustments to the day’s scheduled events.

event on

“Instead of families coming for an all-day event, as we stated in our newsletter, we will have a morning session and an afternoon session,” Jackson said.

The morning session is scheduled for 8:30 until noon and the afternoon session will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jackson said both sessions will include archery, fishing, and canoeing activities.

“We strive to equip families with the knowledge and skill so that they can continue to discover nature together for generations to come,” Jackson said. “For many families, this event will be the first step toward that legacy.”

Registration is required and begins May 15. Jackson said sessions are limited to 30 people each and reservations will be made on a first come, first served basis. Call the Nature Center at (573)290-5218to register. For information on other Nature Center programs go online to mdc.mo.gov.

Discover Nature Girls Camp scheduled at SEMO Youth Camp

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer a Discover Nature Girls Camp in Southeast Missouri July 15-17 at Camp SEMO in Wappapello, MO.  According to the camp organizer, Conservation Agent Christa Cox, this camp is a free, three-day, two-night experience aimed at introducing girls ages 11 to 15 to outdoor skills in a supportive learning environment.  

“Our goal is to lead the girls in outdoor activities so when they leave they’ll have the skills and confidence to explore our diverse landscape on their own and with their families,” Cox said.

Campers will spend three fun-filled days learning by participating in “hands on” outdoor skills, led by conservation professionals.  Some of the planned activities include hunter education, firearms safety and target shooting, archery equipment safety, walking through a safety trail, canoeing, orienteering and fishing. 

“We will go fishing, and we’ll also teach the girls how to identify fish species, how to cast, tie knots and how to clean the fish they catch,” Cox said.

Cox said the Discover Nature Girls Camp is right in line with the Department’s goal to help people discover nature.

“This camp will equip the girls to discover nature on their own for years to come,” Cox said.

To apply for Discover Nature Girls Camp, please contact your local Conservation Agent or the Southeast Regional office in Cape Girardeau at (573) 290-5730 for an application. The camp is limited to 32 girls between the ages of 11 to 15 years old. Applications must be received by May 12.  The first 32 applications will be selected, with all remaining applications placed on a waiting list.  For information on this and other Discover Nature programs, go online to mdc.mo.gov.

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Missouri NWTF names MDC Agent Killian as Wildlife Officer of the Year

Written by Candice Davis, MDC

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) chose Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Ripley County Conservation Agent Darren Killian as Wildlife Officer of the Year for Missouri. Killian was presented the award on Feb. 16 at the NWTF’s national convention in Nashville, Tenn.

MDC Agent Darren Killian is congratulated
by NWTF Regional Director Larry Neal
on being named Missouri Wildlife Officer of the Year.

MDC Protection Regional Supervisor Gary Cravens, who is Killian’s supervisor, said Killian is known for making unique and quality wildlife arrests.

“Darren continually strives to improve the professionalism of wildlife law enforcement and has done a tremendous job in maintaining a well-rounded conservation agent program. He covers all aspects of assigned duties and he always places a strong emphasis on wild turkey regulation enforcement,” Cravens said.

Killian is in his thirteenth year as a conservation agent in Ripley County. He is consistently one of the top agents in the region for cases related to illegal turkey hunting, according to Cravens. During his tenure, he has cited more than 65 individuals for hunting turkeys during the closed season.

Killian is also involved with the NWTF JAKES program and the Kiwanis Club. He contributes to a monthly radio program and he plays an active role with the feral hog eradication project in Ripley County.

One of Killian’s other great characteristics is his ability to relate and work well with children, Cravens said. He enjoys training and teaching children about the outdoors. This year he gave presentations on gun safety at two JAKES events, helped instruct the clay bird shoot, and served as a judge in the youth turkey calling competition.

“Killian is one of our most respected officers in the Ozark Region with his approach and creativity in enforcement,” Cravens said. “Conservation agents look to him for guidance because of his effectiveness in building difficult cases. He conveys a humble attitude and is a shining example for all Department of Conservation employees.”

A Sikeston native, Killian earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Southeast Missouri State University prior to his training at the Conservation Agent Academy.

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