Get out and play Nov. 24 at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

Just because the weather is cooler doesn’t mean you can’t have fun outdoors! Get out and play Nov. 24 at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park in Wildwood with fun activities for the entire family. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the event will include activities such as making nature bandanas, scavenger hikes, orienteering, outdoor games, and a mini-habitat exploration.
 

The event is free and open to the public. No reservations are required. 


Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is located in Wildwood 20 miles west of St. Louis on Highway BA, between U.S. 40 and Highway 100. For more information about the event, 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.

Related articles

• Missouri State Parks Open Houses (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Missouri Department of Natural Resources Sponsors St. Louis Earth Day Symposium

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has granted an award of $10,000 to the St. Louis Earth Day for a two-year St. Louis Earth Day Symposium project, which will provide educational training opportunities for local government officials, community leaders and professionals through annual symposiums.

The grant will help fund the 2013 St. Louis Earth Day Symposium. A smaller portion of the grant was used to fund the 2012 symposium earlier this year.


For 12 years the St. Louis Earth Day Symposium has highlighted new ideas and increased discussion about regional water quality, water pollution and stormwater management issues. The symposium provides important information and data needed to drive successful watershed planning.  The St. Louis Earth Day will provide a match contribution of $12,915 over the life of the project, bringing the overall funding for this water quality project to $22,915.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 7 provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The Department of Natural Resources’ Water Protection Program will administer the grant funds. The department is committed to working closely with communities and businesses to assist with funding efforts that improve water quality in Missouri. For more information, contact the Water Protection Program at P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or call 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300.

Related articles

• Missouri Department of Natural Resources to host Earth Day Celebration April 20

  ---

• Celebrate Earth Day at Missouri State Capitol April 20

  ---

• Earth Day of Service planned April 22 at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

  ---

• Missouri State Parks hosts raptor program at Graham Cave State Park on June 23

  ---

• Celebrate Earth Day April 22 at Crowder State Park

  ---

Missouri State Parks hosts raptor program at Graham Cave State Park on June 23

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

See and learn about birds of prey at the Raptor Awareness Program Saturday, June 23 at Graham Cave State Park near Danville. This free program, sponsored by Missouri State Parks, will begin at 2 p.m. at the open grassy area in front of Graham Cave. The public is invited to attend.

For the event, the World Bird Sanctuary from St. Louis will bring spectacular raptors of Missouri such as falcons, hawks, owls and vultures. Get an up-close and personal look at some of the birds and learn fascinating facts about them. You might feel the breeze of a bird’s wings as it flies overhead. Be sure to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on during the program.

Graham Cave State Park is located two miles west of Danville off Interstate 70 (Exit 170) on Highway TT. For more information about the event, call the park directly at 573-564-3476. For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Related articles

• Day of activity and nature planned June 2 at Graham Cave State Park

  ---

• Missouri State Parks hosts open house June 23 at Long Branch State Park

  ---

• Public invited to share ideas during Katy Trail State Park open house

  ---

• Families chosen for Learn2Camp Program in Missouri State Parks

  ---

• Missouri State Parks announces Camp Smart program

  ---

Explorer hours begin Memorial Day weekend at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Earn your Missouri State Park Explorer Patch by participating in fun activities at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park at Wildwood. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, these events are free and open to the public.

 Anyone, any age, can earn an Explorer patch by completing projects and fun activities.

Beginning Memorial Day Weekend, special Explorer hours will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday; and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday. These special hours will continue through Labor Day Weekend.

Topics will change weekly, so there is always something new and exciting to do. Bring your family, your friends and your Scouts and have fun while exploring the park and learning about Missouri’s natural resources.

Contact the River Hills Visitor Center at 636-458-3813 at the park to inquire about each weekend’s theme or check park flyers or the parks Facebook page.

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 state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Related articles

• Earth Day of Service planned April 22 at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

  ---

• South Dakota Parks Host Family Programs Memorial Day Weekend

  ---

• MO State Parks Offers Camping Tips for State Parks

  ---

• Great Oppotunity to Learn Camping Skills in Missouri

  ---

• Public invited to share ideas at an informational meeting at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

  ---

Five FalconCam chicks flourishing, banded for WBS research

Courtesy MDC

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Through a cooperative effort among the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Ameren Missouri and the World Bird Sanctuary (WBS), tens-of-thousands of people from around Missouri and around the world have been getting a bird’s-eye view of peregrine falcons raising five chicks in a nest box at Ameren’s Sioux Energy Center in St. Louis. A camera mounted near the birds’ nest box provides video feeds to each organization’s website.

Ameren staff installed the webcam at the nest site in early January with this year’s nesting activities first spotted in the beginning of February. According to WBS Director Jeff Meshach, the female peregrine falcon laid five eggs in mid-March, which hatched in mid-April.

Meshach placed leg bands on the five falcon chicks on Monday, May 14. The process took about one hour and involved removing the chicks from the nest and taking them down from the nesting site to a trailer. WBS staff then drew blood samples and took weights and measurements of the chicks.  After the chicks were banded, Meshach returned them to the nest.

"The chicks appear healthy and very well fed,” said Meshach. “The average number of chicks per nest is below four, so it is fairly rare to have five chicks, especially two years in a row now."

He added that the chicks will continue to rapidly grow. “The two male chicks should be fledging the nest between 40 and 50 days old, on or about June 4,” he said. “The three females will fledge between 50 and 60 days of age, on or about June 15. Since the females are up to a third larger than the males, it takes them longer to develop.”

The leg bands are issued to permitted organizations through the U.S. Geological Survey.

“When the bands are observed, hopefully on healthy peregrines in the wild, they can provide information on migration routes, migration distances and distributions on breeding birds,” Meshach explained. “For instance, the mother of the chicks has a black-over-green band with the letter P within the black and the number 43 within the green. We were able to see the band because of the camera. We now know she was hatched at a power plant in Louisa County, Iowa, in 2005." 

Watch a brief video of the banding at youtube.com/watch?v=O1UxDzLh6pc.

The nest can be viewed live from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. (CT) seven days a week on MDC’s website at mdc.mo.gov/node/16934, on Ameren’s website at AmerenMissouri.com/FalconWatch and on the WBS website at worldbirdsanctuary.org.

Considered the world’s fastest animal, peregrine falcons have been clocked diving at 261 mph. For more information on peregrine falcons, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov.

Related articles

• Discover nature with peregrine falcon webcam
• FalconCam shows three chicks in nest with two eggs left
• Peregrine Falcons Making Progress in Indiana

FalconCam shows three chicks in nest with two eggs left

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ST. LOUIS, Mo – The pair of peregrine falcons that are having their nesting activities shared with the world through a “FalconCam” at Ameren Missouri’s Sioux Energy Center in St. Louis recently hatched three chicks. Two eggs remain unhatched.

The FalconCam is a cooperative effort among the Missouri Department of Conservation, Ameren Missouri and the World Bird Sanctuary to help people discover nature through a bird’s-eye view of peregrine falcons raising chicks. A camera near the nest box provides video feeds to each organization’s website.

Watch the FalconCam at mdc.mo.gov/node/16934.

Related articles

• Discover nature with peregrine falcon webcam
• MDC and Ameren launch WOW program to improve wildlife habitat

The Conservation Commission met April 12 and 13 at Conservation Departent Headquarters, 2901 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City. 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

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

• Received presentations from:

-          Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer regarding black-bear research.

-          Forest Nursery Supervisor Greg Hoss regarding operations at George O. White State Forest Nursery.

-          Administrative Services Division Chief Carter Campbell regarding division activities.

• Presented volunteer-service awards to Phyllis Boyd and Charlotte Cox for more than 2,000 hours of service at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, Blue Springs.
• Approved the advertisement and sale of estimated 847,228 board feet of timber on 505 acres of Compartment 8, Angeline Conservation Area in Shannon County.
• Approved a recommendation to sell approximately 2 acres of the Long Ridge Conservation Area in Franklin County.
• Approved naming the new building at the Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center in Columbia the E. Sydney Stephens Building. 
• Suspended hunting, fishing and/or trapping privileges of 33 Missouri residents for Wildlife Code violations and affirmed actions taken by Missouri courts suspending privileges of one Missouri resident. Those whose privileges were suspended are:

Seth A. Baker, Bronaugh, all sport, 1 year.

Dallas W. Beasley, Everton, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Christopher R. Brawley, Bunker, all sport, 3 years.

Charles E. Browers, Olean, hunting and trapping, 3 years.

Cory A. Cook, Perryville, all sport, 1 year.

Andrew B. Douglas, Stoutland, all sport, 1 year.

Collin B. Edwards, Springfield, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Phillip C. Eidson, Urbana, all sport, 1 year.

Dane T. Goff, Rolla, hunting and trapping, 3 years.

Terry D. Hahnfeld, Bronaugh, all sport, 1 year.

Joshua L. Hicks, Macomb, hunting and trapping, 3 years.

Shawn L. Hood, Birch Tree, all sport, 4 years.

Jason R. Horn, St. Joseph, all sport, 1 year.

Bobby D. Huffmon, Hale, all sport, 1 year.

Randy C. Kern, Ellsinore, all sport, 1 year.

Charles D. Langley, New Madrid, hunting and trapping, 2 years.

Chad W. Lemons, Grovespring, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Eric R. Littrell, Centralia, all sport, 1 year.

William T. Miller, King City, all sport, 3 years.

Layton A. Moore, Warrensburg, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Austin W. Muff, King City, hunting and trapping, 3 years.

Ryan D. Palmer, Clinton, all sport, 1 year.

Adam L. Perea, Perryville, all sport, 1 year.

Loyd D. Rantz, Spokane, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Vitaliy Soyarkov, Sedalia, all sport, 1 year.

Justin R. Swayze, Orrick, hunting, until 12/6/2012.

Raymond B. Sworde, Nevada, all sport, 1 year.

Leland T. Thompson, Rolla, all sport, 1 year.

Kirk D. Troy, Springfield, all sport, 1 year.

Jacob A. Waddle, LaPlata, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Ralph A. Weber, Bonnots Mill, all sport, 1 year.

James A. White, Kansas City, all sport, 1 year.

David A. Wilson, Center, all sport, 1 year.

Ezekiel Young, Villa Ridge, all sport, 1½ years.

• Approved the suspension or revocation of all hunting and fishing privileges of 277 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 226 people under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

• Imposed hunting privilege suspensions of one to three years for two Missouri residents and one nonresident who injured other persons in hunting incidents. The hunters must complete a hunter-education training course before restoration of privileges.
• Viewed the Conservation Department’s new, 75^th anniversary video, The Promise Continues.

·         Set the next regular Conservation Commission meeting for May 24-25 in St. Joseph.

Related articles

• Conservation Action March 2012
• Conservation Action January 2012
• Early spring presents turkey hunting challenges
• Meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission
• Youth turkey harvest up

More than 1,300 students to compete at state archery tournament

Courtesy MDC

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – More than 1,300 student archers from around the state will compete in the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) 2012 state tournament onMarch 24 in the Multipurpose Building at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, 499 S. Washington Ave. The state tournament, which will begin at 8 a.m., is free to watch and open to the public.

MoNASP is a cooperative effort coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) in partnership with hundreds of schools and supporting organizations throughout the state. MoNASP is an affiliate of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and promotes education, self-esteem and physical activity for students in grades 4-12 through participation in the sport of archery. More than 34,000 Missouri students from 208 schools participate in MoNASP. Since NASP's beginnings in 2002, more than 8.8 million students have participated in the program through more than 10,000 schools in 47 states and five countries.

According to MDC MoNASP Coordinator Eric Edwards, nearly all kids, regardless of age, size or physical ability, can succeed at archery.

“Kids love archery, and archery helps kids excel,” said Edwards. “Statistics show that school archery programs improve school attendance, increase participants’ self-esteem and physical activity, relate to learning subject matter, appeal to a great variety of students, get kids out-of-doors to discover nature, and can become an after-school activity.”

The state tournament follows regional tournaments held in St. Louis on Feb. 25, Willard in southwest Missouri and Cole Camp near Sedalia on March 3 and in Jefferson City on March 10. Student archers who shoot a qualifying score at the state tournament will earn a spot at the national tournament, May 11-12, in Louisville, Ky.

Related articles

• Archery deer, turkey harvests up from last year (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Vote Don Johnson for 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wildlife restoration, unusual animal sightings top 2011 conservation news (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Discover nature with MDC through women's outdoor-skills workshop (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Conservation Action March 2012 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Conservation Action March 2012

Image via Wikipedia

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.

Related articles

• Conservation Action January 2012 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Conservation Action December 2011 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wildlife restoration, unusual animal sightings top 2011 conservation news (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

MEETING OF THE MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Image via Wikipedia

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Missouri Botanical Garden Ridgway Visitor Center

4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis

3:30 p.m. – Executive Session (Closed)

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Missouri Department of Conservation St. Louis Regional Office

2360 Highway D, St. Charles

8:30 a.m. – Regular Open Meeting

TENTATIVE AGENDA

(Background documents related to each agenda item are available for public viewing at Conservation Department Headquarters, Jefferson City, for eight calendar days prior to the meeting. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. Speakers will be limited to five minutes each and number of speakers may be limited.  Recording the open meeting is permissible, pursuant to any guidelines established by the Commission to minimize disruption to the meeting. Individuals wishing to record the open meeting by audiotape, videotape or other electronic means should notify the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting so accommodations for such recording can be made.)

Wednesday, March 7, 3:30 p.m.

Executive Session (Vote to go into closed session – reconvene open meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 8:

(1)        Call to order and approval of minutes of previous Executive Session(s).(610.021 RSMo.)

(2)        Consideration of supporting documentation for recommendation to suspend or revoke all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals who are juveniles or who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws. Action to be taken in open meeting. (Disclosure protected by law, 610.021(14), 454.440.9, 211.321, RSMo.)

(3)        Consideration of confidential or privileged communications between the Commission and its Internal Auditor regarding work product. (Communications between public governmental body and its auditor, 610.021(17) RSMo.)

(4)        Consideration of recommendation relating to the hiring/firing/disciplining/promoting of personnel. (Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting, 610.021(3) RSMo.)

(5)        Consideration of negotiated contracts. (Documents related to a negotiated contract, 610.021(12) RSMo.)

(6)        Update on potential real estate transactions/negotiations. (Leasing, purchase or sale of real estate, 610.021(2) RSMo.)

(7)        Consideration of legal actions and attorney-client privileged communications involving the Conservation Commission. (Legal actions, causes of action or litigation, 610.021(1) RSMo.)

Thursday, March 8, 8:30 a.m. – Regular Open Meeting:

Approval of minutes of previous meeting.

Staff Presentations:

8:35 a.m.         Wildlife Damage Management Program – Private Land Services Division Chief Mike Hubbard.

8:50 a.m.         St. Louis Community Stewardship Grants – Urban Wildlife Biologist Erin Shank.

January and February Monthly Financial Summaries; Status of Major CI-IT Projects Funded in FY12 Budget.

           

Award Presentations:

9:30 a.m.         2011 State Hunter Education Instructor Awards:

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

- Bowhunter Education Volunteer Instructor – Joe McFadden, St. Louis Region.

- Department Staff Instructor – Jean Mayer, Southwest Region.

- Conservation Agent Instructor – Mark Haviland, Central Region.

Report of the Regulations Committee, which includes recommendations for changes to the Wildlife Code.

Staff Presentations:

10:15 a.m.       Chronic Wasting Disease Sampling Update – Resource Science Division Chief Mike Kruse.

10:30 a.m.       Protection Division Community Outreach – Protection Division Chief Larry Yamnitz.

Recommendation for approval of personnel reclassifications; Quarterly Update of Conservation Employees’ Benefits Plan.

Recommendations for approval to 1) accept the donation of approximately 54 acres in St. Louis County as an addition to Rockwoods Range; 2) sell approximately 0.57 acre and grant a temporary construction easement on approximately 0.94 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; and 3) purchase approximately 202 acres in Sullivan County as a new conservation area.

Legislative Report.

Recommendations for approval to suspend or revoke 1) one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of individuals for cause; 2)  all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws; and 3) one or more hunting, fishing and trapping privileges of individuals in accordance with the terms of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

Announcement of actions taken in executive session, if any.

Other matters of interest.

Confirmation that the next regular meeting will be held April 12-13, 2012.

Related articles

• Meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• "Wildlife Magic" exhibit to open at Jefferson Landing State Historic Site (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Discover Nature with Eagle Days (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)