Celebrate opening of two new trails at Stockton State Park May 17

The public is invited to celebrate the opening of two new trails at Stockton State Park on Saturday, May 17.

Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, participants will have the opportunity to paddle the Stockton State Park Water Trail and mountain bike or run the newly created Lakeview Trail.

At 10 a.m., visitors can canoe or kayak the 6.65 mile Water Trail by meeting at the Marina Trailhead. At 2:30 p.m., hike, run or mountain bike the 8 mile Lakeview Trail by meeting at the main trailhead located on the Campground/Marina Rd. Experienced guides familiar with the trail will be available to lead the way.

This program is free of charge and open to the public. Participants will need to furnish their own equipment and be self-sufficient.

Stockton State Park is located south of Stockton on Highway 215 in Cedar County. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the park directly at 417-276-4259. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Fishing rod and reel loaner program added to Farmington, Bonne Terre libraries

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces the addition of two new libraries into the Discover Nature: Fishing Rod and Reel Loaner Program.  The Bonne Terre Memorial

Library and the Farmington Public Library now have fishing equipment available for use by the public.  According to Salvador Mondragon, a fisheries management biologist with the MDC, the Rod and Reel Loaner Program provides an opportunity for youth, novice anglers, or anyone who does not own a rod and reel to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.

“This equipment is available to the public to borrow and is as simple as checking out a book,” Mondragon said.

Karen Roman, the director of the Farmington Public Library said the fishing equipment loaner program will be a positive resource for the community.

“I was surprised that the MDC would supply libraries with fishing equipment,” Roman said. “Libraries are becoming about much more than books these days and this is a wonderful idea and opportunity for someone who wants to try fishing first before making an investment in equipment.”

Amanda Carron is the Special Services Coordinator at the Bonne Terre Memorial Library. Carron said she and other employees at the library are looking forward to getting feedback from the community once they begin checking out the equipment.

“The fishing equipment program is a really good idea and I think it will have a good impact on our community, especially with the Bonne Terre pond being right up the street from us at the city park,” Carron said.

“We have added this program at these libraries, specifically, because of the availability of close public access waters that are managed and stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation,” Mondragon said. 

“We have many nice places in our area where people can fish, so I think it will work out wonderfully,” Roman said.

Public fishing areas nearby include Hager Lake, Thomas Lake, Giessing Lake, the Mineral Area College Quarry Pond,  Bonne Terre City DiSalvo Lake, St. Francois River and Leadwood Access on Big River. Mondragon said all of these areas offer opportunities to catch catfish, bass, crappie and sunfish with great bank fishing access.

In addition to receiving a rod, a small tackle box with terminal tackle will be provided, according to Mondragon. Terminal tackle will include essential hooks, split-shot sinkers, bobbers and a stringer to hold the catch.

For more information on fishing opportunities in Missouri, go to mdc.mo.gov or call the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730.

Cape Nature Center hosts teen canoeing event

Teens aged 12 to 15 are invited to attend “Swamp Paddling” with the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Allred Lake.

“This event is a great confidence booster for kids and it really takes them to a new level of discovering nature,” said Sara Turner, the Nature Center manager.

Turner said canoeing is a time honored tradition that gives an appreciation for how settlers in southeast Missouri viewed what was once known as “swamp east” Missouri.

Guests aged 12 to 15 years are required to register before the event by calling (573)290-5218. For information on other nature programs throughout the state go online to mdc.mo.gov.

Conservation Department urges state-wide vigilance to protect white-tailed deer

Anyone who sees sick deer should report it to their local conservation agent or office.

By Francis Skalicky

People won’t be hunting deer for several months, but they should still be vigilant for a disease that could severely impact Missouri’s deer population if it ever becomes widely established in this state.

Chronic Wasting Disease – CWD for short – is a deer disease that usually makes headlines in the fall when Missourians are preparing for deer hunting. However, signs of the disease can appear in deer at any time of year. That’s why Missouri Department of Conservation biologists want to remind turkey hunters, spring hikers, floaters and whoever else is outdoors at this time of year that if they see sick deer, they should contact their nearest conservation office or Department of Conservation office.

CWD is a disease that infects deer and other members of the family Cervidae. It is a neurological disease that can be passed from one deer to another. CWD is in the TSE – transmissible spongiform encephalopathy – category of diseases. TSE diseases, which are progressive diseases that affect the brain and nervous system – are not caused by a bacteria or virus and therein lies part of the problem why these diseases are so hard to contain or eliminate once they’re established. TSE diseases are caused by prions – which are, basically, deformed proteins. Prions can be passed from one deer to another and are incredibly resistant to external environmental conditions. Because of the hardiness of prions, CWD, for the present, has shown itself to be 100 percent fatal in cervids (which is the only group of animals it’s known to affect.)

Symptoms of CWD include excessive salivation, drooping head/ears, tremors, emaciation and lack of coordination. However, it can take months (and sometimes years) for a deer infected with CWD to show any symptoms. Thus, an infected deer can spread the disease to other deer and contaminate the environment while appearing healthy.

CWD has been found in 23 states, including Missouri. To date, 21 cases of CWD have been confirmed in Missouri. All of these have been in northeast Missouri. Eleven cases were in captive deer at facilities in Linn and Macon counties and 10 were in free-ranging deer found within two miles of the Macon County facility. A total of 3,666 deer were tested for CWD during and after the 2013 deer hunting seasons and all tests came back negative. This large-scale testing effort was made possible through the cooperation of a many of the state’s hunters, landowners and taxidermists – proving once again that Missourians care about conserving forests, fish and wildlife. Although the absence of any positive CWD tests is encouraging, it still needs to be stressed that it doesn’t mean this disease has been successfully eliminated from the state’s deer population.

CWD has not been found in southeast Missouri, but state-wide vigilance for the disease remains high with good reason: Hundreds of businesses in communities throughout the state depend on the $1 billion economic impact that deer hunting and deer viewing has on Missouri. CWD would have negative ramifications for the more than a half-million hunters who pursue white-tailed deer each year and the millions of other Missourians who like to see deer when they’re hiking, camping, floating or traveling across their farms.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is continuing to work with hunters, landowners, businesses, other agencies and partner organizations to identify the disease and limit the spread of CWD in Missouri. Anyone seeing sick deer are encouraged to call their local conservation agent or office.

More information about CWD and other deer-related issued can be found at missouriconservation.org.For more information about conservation issues, call the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at(573)290-5730.

Poplar Bluff man sets new state record with Spotted Sucker fish

A new state record was set April 3 when Tyler Goodale of Poplar Bluff reeled in a Spotted Sucker fish at Duck Creek Conservation Area (CA).  Goodale’s sucker fish weighed 3.65 lbs

. and measured 18.2 inches.  The former state record Spotted Sucker was caught in 1992 at Wappapello Lake and weighed 2 lbs., 1 ounce, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

The Spotted Sucker is a moderately slender, coarse-scaled sucker fish with a short dorsal fin containing 11 or 12 rays. This species is distinguished from other Missouri suckers by the presence of several parallel rows of prominent dark spots along the side. These fish are olive-brown on the back with dark edgings on the scales. Their sides are silvery or brassy-yellow. Adults are commonly 9.2 to 15.9 inches long and weigh about .3 to 2 pounds. 

Spotted suckers are common fish and generally distributed in the lowlands of southeast Missouri and adjacent sections of the Ozarks. Scattered populations occur elsewhere. This fish species prefers clear, warm waters with no to minimal current and an abundance of aquatic vegetation. 

For more information about record fish or fishing opportunities in Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov.

State Parks Youth Corps expands to Kansas City

DSC05570 (Photo credit: VSPYCC)

A nationally recognized jobs initiative for young adults is expanding to Kansas City this year, Gov. Nixon announced today. Through a one-year partnership with the Department of Social Services, State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC) will offer 100 paid positions at Kansas City Parks to area youth.

“Providing our youth with opportunities to hone job skills and develop that strong, Missouri work ethic is a valuable tool in growing the next-generation of our workforce,” said Gov. Jay Nixon. “Since 2010, the State Parks Youth Corps has been doing just that by allowing young Missourians to participate in meaningful work projects in the state’s outdoor areas. And now, by expanding this valuable program to Kansas City, even more of our youth will be better prepared to launch successful careers.”

“The summer is a great time for our young people to build skills and we’ve worked hard to provide those opportunities in recent years,” said Mayor Sly James. “This partnership will allow us to enhance our efforts and give more youth opportunities to explore public service and to build an appreciation for the crown jewels that are our local parks.”  

“Partnering with Kansas City gives young people real-world job experience in the outdoors and helps improve the area’s public parks so even more Missourians can enjoy nature,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks. “Over the past several years, State Parks Youth Corps participants have made huge contributions to our parks and historic sites throughout the state, and this year, the Kansas City community will be able to reap those benefits, too.”

State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC), launched by the Governor in 2010, provides Missouri youth with the opportunity to work outdoors improving Missouri’s parks and historic sites. SPYC employs eligible Missourians between the ages of 17 and 23 at parks, historic sites and natural areas across Missouri, from May 1 through Dec. 31. Applications for the program are now being accepted online at thinkoutside.mo.gov.

Since the program began in 2010, SPYC workers have completed more than 550,000 hours in Missouri state parks and historic sites. During 2013, SPYC workers put in more than 70,000 hours, performing a variety of tasks, ranging from routine maintenance work and trail construction to interpretation and stewardship efforts. Examples included treating 365 acres of Long Branch State Park for invasive plant species; repairing and repainting 15 picnic tables, 12 benches, and 60 grills at St. Joe State Park; leading nearly 1,700 visitors on tours at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park; and working to build an accessible pathway at Battle of Lexington State Historic Site.

State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC) is administered by Missouri’s Workforce Investment Boards in partnership with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks and the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development. In 2013, Missouri State Parks Youth Corps was accepted as a part of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC).

In addition to the added positions in Kansas City, SPYC is also expanding to St. Louis where 100 area youth will have the opportunity to work in St. Louis City Parks.

State Parks Youth Corps expands to St. Louis

DSC05570 (Photo credit: VSPYCC)

A nationally recognized jobs initiative for young adults is expanding to St. Louis this year, Gov. Nixon announced today. Through a one-year partnership with the Department of Social Services, State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC) will offer 100 paid positions at St. Louis City Parks to area youth.

“Providing our youth with opportunities to hone job skills and develop that strong, Missouri work ethic is a valuable tool in growing the next-generation of our workforce,” said Gov. Jay Nixon. “Since 2010, the State Parks Youth Corps has been doing just that by allowing young Missourians to participate in meaningful work projects in the state’s outdoor areas. And now, by expanding this valuable program to St. Louis, even more of our youth will be better prepared to launch successful careers.”

“Providing summer jobs for young people is one of the top priorities of my Regional Youth Violence Prevention Task Force," said Mayor Francis Slay, City of St. Louis.  "Giving kids a summer job reduces crime and increases academic success.  I thank Governor Nixon for helping to provide funding so that we can issue paychecks to teens and young adults for the work they do.  I am confident a good job will help teach them the values of discipline, sacrifice, respect and teamwork."

“Partnering with St. Louis gives young people real-world job experience in the outdoors and helps improve the area’s public parks so even more Missourians can enjoy nature,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks. “Over the past several years, State Parks Youth Corps participants have made huge contributions to our parks and historic sites throughout the state, and this year, the St. Louis community will be able to reap those benefits, too.”

State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC), launched by the Governor in 2010, provides Missouri youth with the opportunity to work outdoors improving Missouri’s parks and historic sites. SPYC employs eligible Missourians between the ages of 17 and 23 at parks, historic sites and natural areas across Missouri, from May 1 through Dec. 31. Applications for the program are now being accepted online at thinkoutside.mo.gov.

Since the program began in 2010, SPYC workers have completed more than 550,000 hours in Missouri state parks and historic sites. During 2013, SPYC workers put in more than 70,000 hours, performing a variety of tasks, ranging from routine maintenance work and trail construction to interpretation and stewardship efforts. Examples included treating 365 acres of Long Branch State Park for invasive plant species; repairing and repainting 15 picnic tables, 12 benches, and 60 grills at St. Joe State Park; leading nearly 1,700 visitors on tours at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park; and working to build an accessible pathway at Battle of Lexington State Historic Site.

State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC) is administered by Missouri’s Workforce Investment Boards in partnership with the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development and Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. In 2013, Missouri State Parks Youth Corps was accepted as a part of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC).

In addition to the added positions in St. Louis, SPYC is also expanding to Kansas City where 100 area youth will have the opportunity to work in Kansas City Parks.