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| Visitors will be able to drive through rugged hills and fall color near Chillicothe |
Chillicothe, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host the 29th annual fall driving tour through the Poosey Conservation Area on Sunday, Oct. 18. Forest trees and prairie grasses will be turning gold, crimson and purple. The public will have a chance to drive on roads in the heart of the area that are normally not open for vehicles.
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 Noonand 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, meadows and fields. 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, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov.
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