Spring into Spring Hike planned March 24 at Crowder State Park

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.--Start spring off the right way with a guided nature hike Saturday, March 24 at Crowder State Park near Trenton. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the hike will begin at 9 a.m. and is free and open to the public.

The three-mile hike on Tall Oaks Trail will begin by following the shoreline of Crowder Lake before traveling through a wide variety of natural communities. Hikers can expect to walk through mesic bottomland forests filled with sycamore, river birch and cottonwood trees as well as more open woodlands dominated by white oak and hickory trees.

Anyone interested in the hike should meet at the Shelter 3 parking lot at 9 a.m. They should dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water.

Crowder State Park is located west of Trenton off Highway 6. For more information, call the park 660-359-6473. For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Back To Missouri (1940)

(1940) "Back to Missouri" was the first motion picture produced for the Missouri Conservation Commission (Dept. of Conservation).

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Improvements planned for Roaring River State Park

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A new water line construction project will provide better service this spring to guests and visitors at Roaring River State Park near Cassville. In April, Missouri State Parks will begin installing new water lines, spigots and valves at many locations throughout the park.

During the construction, there may be some minor disruption to customers, primarily in the park’s three campgrounds. As construction continues, some camping areas may be temporarily without water while other camping areas are fully operational. In anticipation of this disruption, campsite reservations are no longer being accepted for arrivals from April 16 through May 23. Campground reservations that have already been made for that time period will be honored but guests may be asked to choose an alternate but comparable campsite. All fully operational campsites that are open will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis through May 23.

“Our top priority is your satisfaction when you visit Roaring River State Park. We recognize this project may cause some guests to camp in a different campsite than they had reserved. Please accept my apology for any inconvenience this may cause you and your family. And remember that you are always welcome in Missouri state parks,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The water line project also may cause a minor disruption of water service for cabin guests but officials are working to ensure this disruption is very brief if any at all. Changing of the valves and spigots is being planned for times when the cabins are not occupied. The water line project will not affect the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center or the state park store.

“Our goal is to have the primary project completed prior to Memorial Day Weekend so we can provide a quality experience to all our visitors throughout the busy season,” Bryan said.

Roaring River State Park, located eight miles south of Cassville on Highway 112, is best known for its outstanding trout fishing. The rugged, scenic park also offers many trails, a visitor center, nature programs, a restaurant and swimming pool.

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Open House Planned at Fort Davidson State Historic Site

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., MARCH 6, 2012 -- You are invited to bring your ideas to an open house and informational meeting on Friday, March 16, at Fort Davidson State Historic Site in Pilot Knob. The open house will begin at 4 p.m. in the site's Visitor Center, followed by an informational meeting at 5 p.m. The meeting will address issues related to both the historic site and Elephant Rocks State Park near Graniteville.

Staff will present information about the park's and site’s operations, resource management and recreational developments. The agenda will include a summary of the activities during 2011 and future plans for the park and site. Visitors will be invited to share comments on the park’s and site’s goals, objectives and new initiatives.

This informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort by Missouri State Parks to ensure citizens have input on facilities and services offered in state parks and historic sites.

Fort Davidson State Historic Site's Visitor Center is located on Highway 221 in Pilot Knob. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling Fort Davidson State Historic Site at 573-546-3454. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visitwww.mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Learn to Bird March 24 at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

Cover of Bird (Eyewitness)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Birding is one of the most popular pastimes in America and you can learn all about it Saturday, March 24 at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park in Wildwood. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the Learn to Bird event will begin at 1 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Join the park naturalist as you learn about the importance of birds to people and nature, bird biology and how to become a birder. This program will begin indoors at the visitor center with an introduction to birds. You will then head outside to practice your new birding skills. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair at the park. Dress for the weather. No reservations are required.

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is located 20 miles west of St. Louis on Highway BA between U.S. 40 and Highway 100. For more information about the program, call the park at 636-458-3813. For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Conservation Action March 2012

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The Conservation Commission met March 7 and 8 at St. Louis. Commissioners present were:

Don R. Johnson, Festus, Chair

Don C. Bedell, Sikeston, Vice Chair

Becky L. Plattner, Grand Pass, Secretary

James T. Blair, IV, St. Louis, Member

REGULATIONS

The Commission approved the following regulation changes, effective March 1, 2013, unless otherwise noted:

·        Removed the requirement for affixing an approved safety sticker to firearms while hunting wild turkey, effective as soon as possible.

·        Established daily and length limits for striped bass at Bull Shoals Lake and standardizes striped bass length and daily limits on Norfork Lake with those of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to provide consistency and reduce angler confusion.

·        Approved several regulation changes for specific conservation areas (CAs).

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

• Received presentations from:

-       Private Land Services Division Chief Mike Hubbard regarding wildlife damage management

-       Resource Science Division Chief Mike Kruse regarding chronic wasting disease monitoring in northern Missouri

-        Urban Wildlife Biologist Erin Shank regarding St. Louis Community Stewardship Grants

-       Protection Division Chief Larry Yamnitz regarding Protection Division community outreach

• Presented 2011 State Hunter Education Instructor Awards to:

-         Floyd Bohler, St. Louis, Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor

-         Joe McFadden, St. Charles, Bowhunter Education Volunteer Instructor

-         Jean Mayer, Greenfield, Conservation Department Staff Instructor

-         Mark Haviland, Loose Creek, Conservation Agent Instructor

• Accepted the donation of approximately 54 acres in St. Louis County as an addition to Rockwoods Range.
• Approved selling approximately .57 acre and granting a temporary construction easement on approximately .94 acre of the Saline Valley Conservation Area in Miller County to the State of Missouri, acting by and through the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, for a bridge replacement project.
• Suspended hunting, fishing and/or trapping privileges of 17 Missouri residents and one nonresident for Wildlife Code violations and affirmed actions taken by Missouri courts suspending privileges of two Missouri residents. Those whose privileges were suspended are:

James E. Boyer, Birch Tree, all sport privileges, lifetime

Kent W. Conley, Fordland, all sport privileges, 1 year

Kenneth M. Cooper, Crocker, all sport privileges, 1 year

James J. Cunningham, Sedalia, all sport privileges, 1 year

Travis J. Dority, Roach, all sport privileges, 6 additional years

Jeffrey A. Fike, Moberly, all sport privileges, 1 year

Benjamin S. Jackson, Macon, all sport privileges, 2 years

Charles D. Langley, New Madrid, hunting, until 12-28-2012

James C. McIntyre, Holden, all sport privileges, 1 year

Jerry D. Morgan, Climax Springs, all sport privileges, 1 year

Darrell E. Nolder, Hamilton, Ill., all sport privileges, 1.5 years

Mark A. Norton, Bowling Green, all sport privileges, 1 year

Bruce E. Potts, Fredericktown, all sport privileges, 3 years

Rodney D. Roland, Osceola, hunting, until 12/23/2013

John B. Schaeffer, Nixa, hunting, 3 years

Jerad R. Smith, Unionville, all sport privileges, 1 year

Gregory L. Thornhill, St. Joseph, all sport privileges, 1 year

Ryan C. Wade, Independence, all sport privileges, 1 year

James K. Waggoner Jr, Jefferson City, all sport privileges, 1 year

Toby L. Washburn, Kahoka, all sport privileges, 1 year

• Suspended or revoked all hunting and fishing privileges of 270 people who are not in compliance with applicable child-support laws. Privileges suspended for noncompliance are reinstated once the Division of Child Support Enforcement notifies MDC that suspendees have come into compliance with the required laws.

• Suspended privileges of 221 nonresidents under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

·        Set the next regular Conservation Commission meeting for Apr. 12 and 13 in Jefferson City.

- end –

This document is provided for public information only and is not an official record of the Missouri Department of Conservation or Missouri Conservation Commission.

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Discover nature with MDC through women’s outdoor-skills workshop

Courtesy MDC

June 1-3 workshops will teach hands-on outdoor skills. Registration deadline is April 30.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites women to get hands-on training in various outdoor skills at its “Discover Nature Women Summer Workshop” June 1-3 at the Windermere Conference Center along the Lake of the Ozarks in Roach, Mo.

The workshop provides a safe and friendly environment where women receive hands-on outdoor-skills training at the beginner level by selecting a group of four courses from the following offerings: archery, hunting, canoeing, outdoor cooking, firearms, camping, fishing, fly tying, map and compass reading, and shotgun shooting. Women attending for the first time are encouraged to attend the program a second year to complete four additional courses.

The special weekend is targeted to women 18 years and older, along with young women age 14-17 when accompanied by a woman 18 years or older. The workshop is free, but a $20 deposit is required at the time of registration and will be refunded at check in. There is no deposit fee for young women aged 14–17 when registered with an adult. Registration deadline is April 30.

Participants are responsible for their own accommodations and meals. MDC will provide dinner on Saturday. Various lodging options are available at the Windermere Conference Centerincluding lodge, motel, cabin and camping.  For more information or to make reservations directly with Windermere, call 800-346-2215, or visit www.windermereusa.org.

For more information on this and other Discover-Nature-Women programs, visit www.mdc.mo.gov and search “Discover Nature Women,” or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3808.