MDC awards state champion status to Benton County tree

A winged sumac on private land joins list of state's largest trees

Warsaw, Mo. – A winged sumac tree on private property in Benton County is now on the list of Missouri State Champion Trees. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recognizes state champion trees under a formula involving measurements of the trunk, height and spread.

   MDC Resource Forester Jake Willard measured the tree. Willard recently presented Missouri State Champion Tree plaques to Bill Shumake, who owns the winged sumac, and Matt Arndt, who nominated the tree. The tree is on Shumake’s propery near Edwards, Mo. Arndt is a private consulting forester who was conducting a timber inventory on the property when he found the tree.

   The champion winged sumac measured 11 inches in circumference on the truck, is 24 feet tall and has a spread of 11 feet. Those measurements are not huge as many trees grow. But they’re big for a winged sumac, which is a member of the cashew family of trees. The species is often found as a shrub. But some do grow into trees.

   Winged sumacs produce red berries consumed by wildlife in winter. But the species also makes a good ornamental planting in lawns and gardens with dark-green, glossy leaves in summer that turn a brilliant crimson in autumn.  Winged sumac is also a native host plant for butterflies and moths, including the beautiful lime-green luna moth. Caterpillars feed on the leaves.

   For more information about Missouri State Champion Trees, visithttp://on.mo.gov/1vW16tv. Learn about healthy trees and their role in conservation athttp://www.mdc.mo.gov.

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MDC Cape Nature Center offers women’s hike

Holly Ridge Conservation Area is the destination March 5.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will host a women’s hike at Holly Ridge Conservation Area Saturday, March 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This is a chance for local women to get together and spend a day out in nature,” said Jordi Brostoski,  MDC naturalist at the center.

Brostoski said March is a great time to get an early glimpse of spring along the trails.

“I particularly like to hike in late February or early March and then do the same hike again a month later,” she said. “It gives you a chance to see how much has changed in nature in that short period of time.”

“Holly Ridge is a beautiful area with many different species of plants and animals of conservation concern,” Brostoski said, adding that the area resembles forests of Tennessee more than it does a typical Ozark forest.

The hike is four and a half miles with a difficulty rating of moderate. This program is for women ages 14 and up. Those under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Call the nature center to make a reservation for this program at (573)290-5218.

The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center is located inside Cape Girardeau's North County Park, just east of Interstate 55 (Exit 99) and Kingshighway (State Highway 61). For more information on this and other nature programs at the center, go online tomdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter, call (573)290-5218, or text nature to 91212.

MDC to host waterfowl season workshops in March

Hunters can provide input at workshops in Blue Springs, Harrisonville, Nevada

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites Missouri waterfowl hunters to upcoming public workshops where Department staff will gather hunter input about duck season dates and zone boundary locations for the 2017-2020 hunting seasons. Three workshops are upcoming in MDC’s Kansas City Region. All workshops are from 7 to 9 p.m. No reservations are necessary.  

• Nevada on March 3 at the Nevada Community Center, 200 N. Ash St. For more information, call 417-876-5226 or 816-622-0900.

• Harrisonville on March 8 at the Cass County Sheriff's Office Training Room, 2501 W. Mechanic, Suite 100. For more information, call 660-885-6981 or 816-622-0900.
• Blue Springs on March 9 at the MDC Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road. For more information, call 816-228-3766 or 816-622-0900. 

    Hunter input at workshops and hunter opinion surveys will be used to help establish Missouri’s 2017-2010 duck season dates and zones.

   “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives states the opportunity to change the number and location of duck zones every five years,” explained MDC Resources Scientist Andy Raedeke. “At these times, states can also select a continuous season or split season, which refers to a season that is open for a period of time, closes, and then reopens for a second period of time.” 

   Hunters may review information about the state’s waterfowl migrations, harvest, weather patterns and hunter preferences at http://on.mo.gov/1giLHme.     

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Trail Work Begins This Week

Beginning Wednesday, February 17, the glade section of the Long Trail at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center will be closed temporarily to replace old wooden decking with recycled plastic boards. This is the last part of the trail improvement project that began two years ago. This portion of the Long Trail will close daily Monday - Thursday from the Long Bridge to the Fox Bluff loop. The trail will open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays when the regional crew will not be working. The project is expected to take two weeks to finish.

The regional team members doing the trail work have been busy working at other Conservation Areas on flood damage this winter, so this is their first opportunity to finish this project.

We apologize for any inconvenience. The end result will be worth the wait. The recycled boards will last much longer than the wooden boards and do not require annual waterproofing treatment, so they're better for the environment.

Stop by the nature center for updates or call 417/888-4237.

MDC offers free Discover Nature Girls Camp June14-16

Registrations now accepted for outdoor skills camp for girls at Camp Palestine in Johnson County

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is now accepting registrations for a free Discover Nature Girls Camp June 14-16 at Camp Palestine near Chilhowee, Mo., in Johnson County.

   Discover Nature Girls Camp is a three-day, two-night outdoor skills camp for girls ages 11 to 15. This camp provides a supportive learning environment for girls to learn about firearm safety, fishing, conservation management and ethics, water safety and basic canoeing, archery, hunting and other outdoor skills. Participants will have a chance to shoot pellet guns and archery on target ranges under the supervision of experts. They will receive Missouri Hunter Education certification. Campers will get a chance to catch fish in the lake at Camp Palestine.

   

The outdoor activities will be taught by MDC experts. Participants will gain the confidence to explore Missouri’s diverse nature on their own. MDC will provide all the necessary gear and material for camp activities. Campers are accepted in the order that completed applications are received. Completed applications must be received by April 1.

   MDC is also seeking female chaperones who would like to assist at the camp.

  To request an application form and apply for Discover Nature Girls Camp, contact Conservation Agent Brian Bartlett at 816-835-6087, or brian.bartlett@mdc.mo.gov. Applications are also available at the MDC Kansas City Regional Office and the MDC offices at Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, El Dorado Springs, Clinton and Sedalia.

   For more information, call 816-622-0900. MDC connects people with nature. For information about other MDC educational programs, visit http://mdc.mo.gov.

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MDC: Remedy for fishing fever is March 1 trout opener

Thousands of anglers flock to trout parks around the state for opening day of catch-and-keep trout fishing.

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As the wintery season winds down, anglers throughout the Show-Me State are beginning to show some signs of trout fever. Symptoms include: tying flies, putting new fishing line on reels, checking waders for holes, and practicing casting. Most anglers who get trout fever get rid of it by doing one thing—visiting one of Missouri's four trout parks to participate in the catch-and-keep trout season.

Tuesday, March 1, marks the opening of catch-and-keep trout fishing at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking, Roaring River State Park near Cassville, and Maramec Spring Park near St. James.

"This year's trout opener should be good and comparable to previous years," said MDC Fisheries Unit Chief Bruce Drecktrah.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) operates trout hatcheries at all four parks. To help predict angler turnout on opening day, hatchery staff rely on permit records going back more than 70 years. Montauk, Bennett Spring, and Roaring River hatchery staff expect crowds of about 2,000 anglers at each location and Maramec Spring staff are planning for a crowd of about 1,500. Based on these predictions, hatchery staff will stock three trout per expected angler on opening day for a total of more than 22,500 fish averaging around a foot in length. The hatcheries will also stock a mix of "lunkers" ranging in three to 10 pounds.

Trout Season Outlook

Due to the heavy rain and record-breaking flood that took place this past December, MDC crews have been inspecting flood damage and evaluating the impact these floods may have on hatcheries, fish production and fish numbers.

"We have plenty of fish for this year's trout season," said MDC Fisheries Division Chief Brian Canaday. "But due to the heavy rains and flooding our trout stocking will be slightly reduced throughout the season. We will stock approximately two fish per trout tag sold at each trout park instead of our usual 2.25."

Canaday added that MDC staff will continue to evaluate hatchery fish inventories, stocking plans, and make adjustments throughout the season as appropriate.

Permits

It's important to know anglers need a daily trout tag to fish in Missouri's trout parks. Daily trout tags can only be purchased at each of the four trout parks. Missouri residents 16 through 64 need a fishing permit in addition to the daily tag. Nonresidents 16 and older also need a fishing permit.

Economic Outlook

Trout hatcheries are just one way that conservation pays in Missouri. MDC stocks more than 800,000 trout annually at the state's four trout parks and approximately 1.5 million annually statewide. Trout anglers' spend more than $100 million each year in the Show-Me-State, which generates more than $180 million in business activity, supports more than 2,300 jobs and creates more than $70 million dollars in wages. About 30 percent of Missouri trout anglers come from other states, so a substantial portion of trout fishing expenditures is "new money" for the state's economy.

For more information on trout fishing in Missouri, visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/where-fish/trout-areas. 

REMINDER TO TROUT ANGLERS: To prevent the spread of the invasive alga called didymo or "rock snot," the use of shoes, boots or waders with porous soles of felt, matted or woven fibrous material is prohibited at all trout parks, trout streams, Lake Taneycomo, and buffer areas. Go online for more information to http://on.mo.gov/1V6qc6W. 

MDC offers Conservation Management Workshop Feb. 23

Workshop in Independence designed to help acreage owners manage for wildlife

Kansas City, Mo. – Wildlife and native plants can thrive on small acreages given nurturing management practices. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free Conservation Management Workshop 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Bass Pro Shops, 18001 Bass Pro Drive in Independence.

   MDC staff will discuss topics such as native plants useful for wildlife and landscaping, timber stand improvement, and reducing problems from invasive species.

   “We’ll talk about what trees to plant and what not to plant for wildlife,” said Andy Carmack, MDC private land conservationist. “We’ll talk about improvements they can make for quail and other wildlife.”

   The workshop is useful for anyone interested in wildlife-friendly practices. However, the

topics covered will be especially useful to acreage owners in suburban or rural settings, Carmack said.

   Advance registration for the workshop is requested. To register or for more information, call816-228-3766.

   MDC will also be offering two other workshops in March to assist private landowners. An Invasive Plant Identification and Control Workshop will be held 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, at the Warrensburg Community Center, 445 East Gay St. To register, call 660-747-7178. A Prescribed Burn Workshop will be held 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16, at the Bass Pro Shops in Independence. Call 816-228-3766 to register.

   For more information on MDC programs that assist private landowners, visithttps://mdc.mo.gov/your-property.

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