How are conservation areas important to you?

The Missouri Department of Conservation is in the process of updating management plans for conservation areas and invites public comments. To view management plans and share comments online, visit mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.  

The following draft conservation area management plans are available for public comment June 1-30, 2016.

Central Region

Danville Conservation Area Management Plan – Danville Conservation Area is 3,136 acres of woodland, upland forest, glade, grassland, bottomland forest, old field, cropland, and ephemeral wetlands in Montgomery County. Management is focused on providing quality natural communities that support diverse wildlife populations and provide outdoor recreational activities. Three individual campsites without amenities, one designated camping area with six defined campsites, five parking lots, two privies, and a 3 mile hiking trail are available for public use.  

Mansfield Conservation Area Management Plan  – Alice Ahart Mansfield Conservation Area is 80 acres of forest in Camden County. Management activities are focused on wildlife, forest, and woodland resources with an emphasis on healthy forests and compatible recreational opportunities. This area offers a parking lot and a 0.75 mile hiking trail for public use.

Kansas City Region

Pinhook Access Management Plan  – Pinhook Access is 4 acres of forest and grasslands in Pettis County. This area is managed to provide public fishing access to Muddy Creek for bank anglers. There is one parking lot for public use.

Northeast Region

Anderson & DuPont Conservation Areas Management Plan  – This plan includes both Edward Anderson Conservation Area (1,046 acres) & DuPont Reservation Conservation Area (1,320 acres) in Ralls and Pike Counties. These areas provide for multiple public uses and for conserving and managing the areas’ natural resources.

Shelby County Conservation Areas (Less Than 155 Acres) Management Plan  – These areas provide compatible outdoor recreational activities including hunting and fishing. Conservation areas included in this plan are Arrow-Wood Conservation Area, Fed Bollow Conservation Area, and Pin Oak Conservation Area.

Northwest Region

Crooked River Conservation Area Management Plan  – Crooked River Conservation Area is 1,420 acres of forest, open fields, woodland, old field, grassland, food plots, impounded water, wetland, and infrastructure in Ray County. This area is managed to provide quality upland habitat and associated wildlife while providing a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for the public. There are seven parking lots, seven individual campsites, two fishing ponds, and one fishing lake for public use.

Nodaway County Community Lake Management Plan  – Nodaway County Community Lake is 320 acres of old field, lakes/ponds, grassland, cropland, forest, and woodland. The purpose of this area is to provide fishing and hunting opportunities for the public in and around the Maryville area. This area offers a concrete boat ramp, one fishing jetty, one privy, three parking areas, one designated primitive camping area, and 2.6 miles of hiking trails.

Ozark Region

Dan and Maureen Cover Memorial Wildlife Area Management Plan  – Dan and Maureen Cover Memorial Wildlife Area is 282 acres of forest, woodland, grassland, old field, warm-season grass field, and open water in Oregon County. This area is managed for a mosaic of grassland, woodland, and forest natural communities to provide a diversity of wildlife habitats and to provide compatible public recreation opportunities. This area provides a parking lot and 1 acre Cover Lake for public use.

Southeast Region

Coldwater Conservation Area Management Plan  – Coldwater Conservation Area is 10,738 acres of upland forest, woodland, and savanna in Wayne County. The purpose of this area is to provide outdoor recreational opportunities and to manage the area’s forest and field resources for the benefit of wildlife and timber production.

Take a look at management plans and share your thoughts online at mdc.mo.gov/areaplans. Thank you for your interest in the management of your Conservation Areas!

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.

Conservation areas perfect for celebrating National Trails Day

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Missourians can discover nature by exploring 700-plus miles

of foot, bicycle and equestrian trails on conservation areas.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On the first Saturday of June each year, the American Hiking Society encourages people to discover the healthy fun of spending time hiking, biking and horseback riding.

National Trails Day falls on June 2 this year, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) bends over backwards to make it easy to celebrate the occasion. Conservation areas (CAs) have trails that range from short, wheelchair-accessible loops to more than 30 miles of interconnected loops and spurs. In all, CAs have more than 700 miles of foot, bicycle and equestrian trails on 136 CAs and 10 nature and education centers statewide. This includes 45 areas for horseback riding and 52 areas that allow cycling.

At their most basic, conservation-area trails consist of parking lots and trail markers on trees. Other CAs have facilities such as nature centers, self-guided interpretive trails, shooting ranges, scenic overlooks, fishing lakes, stream-fishing and boating accesses, campsites and privies. Some trails traverse unique landscapes that are part of the Missouri Natural Area system.

You can find a trail near you by contacting the nearest MDC office or use MDC’s conservation-area database (mdc.mo.gov/node/3392) to search for trails by type or by county and access area maps and area regulations.

MDC also sells Conservation Trails: A guide to Missouri’s Department of Conservation Trails. This 101-page book provides detailed information about 41 of the agency’s best trails, including maps and facility information, points of historical and geological interest and notes about plants and wildlife you may encounter. It is available at www.mdcnatureshop.com or at conservation nature centers for $5 plus tax and, if ordered online, shipping. Get a 15-percent discount with a Conservation Heritage Card.

Hiking is permitted on all designated trails. Horseback riding and cycling are limited to trails specially designated for these activities. However, public roads open to vehicular traffic are open to horseback riding and bicycling on CAs unless otherwise posted.

When hiking or riding a trail, follow these tips to help ensure a safe experience.

·        Get a map and familiarize yourself with the CA you want to visit.

·        Tell someone about your plans, including when you expect to return.

·        Check weather conditions and avoid inclement weather.

·        Dress appropriately.

·        Learn to recognize possible plant and animal hazards such as poison ivy and ticks.

·        Follow all area regulations.

·         Leave only footprints and take only photographs.

Related articles

• Missouri's Peck Ranch and Elk Restoration

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• Meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission

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• Elk restoration enters second year

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• Prairie Chickens in Missouri Making Progress

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• Conservation Action March 2012 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Discover Nature Families-Digital Camera Scavenger Hunt, Saturday April 14, 2-4 pm

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Looking for a way to get the whole family involved in the outdoors, spiced with a hint of friendly competition to make things more interesting?  Look no further, because we’ve got the perfect activity!

Come enjoy an outdoor hunt for nature-related items around the Cape Girardeau Nature Center grounds and trails.  Each family will be given a list of plants and animals to find and then capture in photos.  There will be a prize for the family that finds everything on the list!  We’ll meet at the nature center at 2 pm to distribute scavenger lists and assigned areas and then send your family on their way to hunt the items down and take the photos.

Everyone will return to the nature center auditorium at a designated time to then share their photos on the big screen and see who captured the most items on the list.  Be sure to bring a camera card or a USB cord to transfer your photos to our computer for the final viewing, and be creative as your family is sure to be excited to see themselves on the big screen when we gather at the end!

Ages 5 and up with an adult mentor.  Call 573-290-5218 to register or for more information.  We hope to see you Discovering Nature on the big screen!

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Mark Twain Forest Offering Free Camping January 14-16, 2012

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ROLLA, Mo.– Mark Twain National Forest will offer free camping in unreserved campsites both Saturday and Sunday nights, and free day use at unreserved sites Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, January 14-16, 2012.

The three days of free day use and two free nights of camping at year-round recreation areas the second weekend in January 2012 are being offered in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend. 

Motorized trail permits are still required for use of the Chadwick and Sutton Bluff trail systems, and normal fees still apply.

Free camping and day use is being offered at Cobb Ridge in the Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Area in Christian County and Greer Crossing on the Eleven Point River in Oregon County.

 Campgrounds are closed but day use fees are being waived at Markham Springs  in Wayne County; North Fork along the North Fork of the White River in Ozark County, and Watercress on the Current River in Carter County. 

In addition, the following campgrounds or camping areas are among those open year-round without fees:

Berryman and Hazel Creek in Washington County; Bar-K  in Christian County; Dry Fork in Callaway County, and Big Piney Trail Camp in Texas County, all of which have facilities for equestrian camping;  Paddy Creek in Texas County, Pine Ridge in Callaway County  and McCormack Lake in Oregon County, where horses are not allowed. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become recognized as a national day of service.  Mark Twain National Forest is celebrating the many volunteers who have helped and encouraging individuals to start 2012 right by getting out and enjoying their national forests.

“We have hundreds of volunteers who help maintain the trails and other recreation facilities on Mark Twain National Forest,” said Mark Twain National Forest Acting Forest Supervisor Teresa Chase.

“Offering free camping and day use on the weekend of this National Day of Service is a way to show our appreciation of those individuals.  Also, at a time of year when many individuals have resolved to lead a healthier lifestyle, we want to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and to connect to the land, which improves the health and quality of both personal and community life.  We hope to inspire individuals and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well being, instill excitement for the outdoors, or to just plain get out and enjoy being on a trail or in the forest.

Related articles

• Free Day Use and Camping Nov. 11-13, 2001 on Mark Twain National Forest (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Young male mountain lion trapped, released in Reynolds County (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Mark Twain National Forest Looking For Recreation Site Concessionaires (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Art Tents! (karirowephoto.com)

Eleven trail projects will receive federal funding

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Eleven trail projects in Missouri will receive approximately $1.3 million funding through the federal Recreational Trails Program. 

             The Recreational Trails Program is a federally funded grant program for trail-related land acquisition, development or restoration. In Missouri, Recreational Trails Program funds are administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

             “Missourians are blessed with abundant parks and recreation areas.  It is important to support these natural resources and preserve them for years to come,” Gov. Jay Nixon said. “These trails provide opportunities for families and children to enjoy time together, as well as connecting them with their community.” 

             The grant recipients were chosen from 31 applications and were selected based on recommendations from the Missouri Trails Advisory Board, which represents diverse trail interest groups. The grants were awarded based on the results of a competitive scoring process and the application’s suitability under funding provisions included in Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). At least a 20 percent match is required by the applicant. A funding requirement targets 30 percent of the funding for motorized trails, 30 percent for non-motorized trails and 40 percent for diversified trail use.

            “These trails provide Missourians access to explore the many natural resources our state offers, as well as providing important fitness opportunities. We are proud to support this program, local communities and healthy lifestyles,” said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  

            Following is a list of Recreational Trails Program grant recipients, along with a list of non-motorized and motorized RTP trail projects and their grant amounts.

2011 RTP Non-Motorized Trail Projects:

·         Missouri State Parks, Statewide - develop, renovate and maintain trails and various trail amenities in Missouri State Parks facilities - $348,821.

·         Grace Hill Settlement House, St. Louis County - renovate Riverfront Trail - $67,241.

·         City of Columbia Parks and Recreation, Boone County - educational accessible sign system - $20,000.

·         City of Warrensburg Parks and Recreation, Johnson County - construct a primitive trail at Lions Lake - $100,000.

·         Ozark Trail Association, Shannon County - construct backcountry hiking trail in Roger Pryor Backcountry - $73,575.

·         City of Kansas City Public Works Department, Jackson County - construct Riverfront Heritage Trail Beardsley Road Connector - $100,000.

·         City of Belton, Cass County - Cleveland Avenue Regional Lake Development trail construction - $95,149.

·         City of Greenville, Wayne County - construct a trail connecting the city to Wappapello Lake - $71,913.

·         State of Missouri/Office of Administration, Cole County - construct trail to connect to the Missouri State Penitentiary Trail - $100,000.

2011 RTP Motorized Trail Projects:

·         Midwest Trail Riders Association, Iron County - purchase equipment to maintain existing motorized trails - $14,500.

·         Missouri State Parks, Statewide - develop new trails, renovate and maintain existing motorized trails - $400,000.

Related articles

• Missouri Trails Advisory Board will meet July 16 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Five state parks will close temporarily for deer hunts (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• State of Missouri making progress on the Lewis and Clark Riverside Greenway Trail (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Katy Trail State Park extends equestrian section with event Oct. 8 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Grand opening set Sept. 2 for new hiking and mountain biking trail at Table Rock State Park (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Grand opening set Sept. 2 for new hiking and mountain biking trail at Table Rock State Park

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Aug. 24, 2011 -- Hikers and mountain bikers have a new reason to celebrate with the official grand opening of the first designated mountain biking trail system in the Branson area.  The White River Valley Trail in Table Rock State Park will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2 at a trailhead near Branson.

            The White River Valley Trail, a 10.25 mile natural surface trail, is a joint land-use project between MissouriState Parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The majority of the trail is within Table Rock State Park with the rest of it on USACE land.

            The ceremony will include representatives from Missouri State Parks, which administers Table Rock State Park, the USACE, local and state officials, and many of the volunteer groups that supported and helped build the trail.

            The trail was partially financed by two federal Recreational Trails Program grants. Because of the trail's outstanding use of the federal RTP grants, it was recognized in 2011 by the federal Coalition for Recreational Trails with the award in the Multi-Use Management and Corridor Sharing Category. Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, will present the award to the park during the ceremony.  

            "This trail will provide a great new recreational resource for mountain bikers and hikers and should bring users here from all over the area," said Bryan. "We are pleased to be a part of a trail that has been recognized nationally and has such amazing local support." 

             The trail, consisting of four loops with different characteristics, will provide a challenging experience for mountain bikers and hikers in a rugged and scenic area of the state. Trail users will experience elevation changes ranging from 710 feet to nearly 1,200 feet above sea levels with natural communities ranging from moist bottomland woodlands to dry dolomite glades on the higher areas. The trail will travel near old homesteads and relics of the Table Rock Dam construction during the 1950s with dramatic views of Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo.

            Now that the trail has been completed, staff at Table Rock State Park plan to host adventure events and mountain biking races on the trail. The park also includes two other trails, a campground, picnic areas, and a full-service marina with access to Table Rock Lake.     

            The main trailhead for the White River Valley Trail is located on Highway 165 north of the park's main entrance. For more information about Table Rock State Park, call the park directly at 417-334-4704 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information on Missouri state parks, go to mostateparks.com.

Katy Trail State Park named best in Midwest

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JEFFERSON CITY, MO., AUG. 2, 2011 -- When people talk about the best of anything, Katy Trail State Parkis often on the list. The latest recognition for Katy Trail is from the readers of the AAA Midwest Travelers magazine.

            This spring, the publication invited readers to vote for their favorite cities, attractions and getaways. When it came to the best bicycle trail in the Midwest, the favorite was Katy Trail.

            According to the magazine, "If there were report cards for bicycle trails, the Katy Trail State Park would certainly be earning straight As. In nearly every trail characteristic - including length, scenery, access and history - the park impresses its users, which number approximately 300,000."

            "I'm honored but not surprised that readers have voted Katy Trail as the best in the Midwest," said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. "At 240 miles, the trail provides a scenic avenue through the heart of Missouri. The trail has been one of the most popular parks in theMissouri state park system since it was developed more than 20 years ago," Bryan said.

            Katy Trail is a hiking and bicycling trail that runs from Clinton to Machens. Much of its route follows the Missouri River with spectacular views of the river and landscapes varying from bluffs and thick forests to prairies and open fields. It travels through small communities with many attractions and services for trail users.

            Katy Trail is the longest developed rail-trail project in the nation and was one of the first inductees into the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.

            For more information on Katy Trail State Park, visit Katytrailstatepark.com.

New apps make it easier to find information on Missouri state parks

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JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JULY 18, 2011 -- If you are looking for an easy way to access information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, the answer is in the palm of your hand. A new free mobile application for smartphones is designed to provide visitors with convenient access to detailed state park information. The app is currently available for the Apple iPhone and is coming soon for Android smartphones. Innovative features within the app are sure to enhance any visit to a Missouri state park or historic site.          

            "Our amazing state parks are timeless in what they offer and these new mobile applications will make sure today's visitors have the latest technology to easily access information about them," said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director.  

            The free Lite version of the Pocket Ranger™ Mobile Tour Guide enables you to find a state park by location or activity. Features such as the Trails menu in the individual park pages make it easy for hikers and bikers to view a list of available trails. With a quick glance at each trail’s description, you will even find the app helpful in finding a trail to match your ability.

            The spectacular scenery at any of Missouri’s state parks and historic sites provides you with plenty of opportunities to snap a photo. With the app’s social networking feature, you can easily share these photos with family and friends and post a message to have them join in the outdoor fun. Additional features of the app include a direct link to the park’s reservation site so you can make arrangements for an overnight stay or extend your vacation. Along with this feature, you will appreciate having access to useful information such as weather alerts, operational times and park events at your fingertips.

            Additional features are available by upgrading to the Pro version with a portion of these profits going to Missouri State Parks. By purchasing the Pro version, you can have an even more dynamic visit by recording trails and marking waypoints during an outdoor excursion so you can go back to that favorite fishing spot time and time again. With the friend finder feature, experience the comfort of knowing where your family and friends are within the park. Feel even more secure with the alert feature of the app, which notifies select contacts in the event of an emergency.  

            The Pocket Ranger™ Mobile Tour Guide can be downloaded from the iTunes Store and Android’s Market, or directly at StateParkApps.com. Download your Official Guide for Missouri State Parks & Historic sites today.

            For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com or contact the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). 

Explore conservation areas on National Trails Day

Discover nature by exploring some of the 700-plus miles

of foot, bicycle and equestrian trails on conservation areas.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – National Trails Day is Saturday, June 4, and Missouri conservation areas (CAs) have more than 700 miles of foot, bicycle and equestrian trails to celebrate and explore.

This is the American Hiking Association’s 19^th annual National Trails Day. The program is a way to celebrate trails that allow people to discover the natural world through outdoor activities. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) provides trails at more than 136 CAs and 10 nature and education centers throughout the state. This includes 45 areas for horseback riding and 52 areas that allow cycling.

Bluffwoods CA in Buchanan County is one example of the hiking opportunities available at CAs. This area has five trails and one of northwest Missouri’s last remnants of oak-history forest. Trails include the disabled-accessible Forest Nature Trail and Lone Pine Trail, which offers a scenic overlook across the Missouri River.

Caney Mountain CA in Ozark County offers hikers a chance to roam through diverse land types that include savanna, glade and woodlands, along with a natural spring. The area even maintains a six-and-a-half-mile, multi-use trail for hiking, cycling and horseback riding.

Castor River CA in Bollinger County maintains six multi-use trails through woodlands, wetlands and streams. The area also is home to Blue Pond, Missouri’s deepest natural pond.

Brochures for self-guided interpretive hikes are available for some trails, and 28 CAs have disabled-accessible trails.

You can find a trail near you by contacting the nearest Conservation Department office or at http://1.usa.gov/kUlcW8. Check the “Designated Trails” box on this web page, and you can search for trails by region, county or type of trail and access area maps and regulations.

Hiking is permitted on all designated CA trails. Horseback riding and cycling are limited to trails specially designated for these activities. Many CA trails allow pets, but they must be leashed or confined at all times. Pets are not permitted at Nature Centers.

When hiking or riding a trail, follow these tips to help ensure a safe experience.

·        Get a map and familiarize yourself with the CA you want to visit.

·        Tell someone about your plans, including when you expect to return.

·        Check weather conditions and avoid inclement weather.

·        Dress appropriately.

·        Learn to recognize possible plant and animal hazards such as poison ivy and ticks.

Follow all area regulations.

·        Leave only footprints and take only photographs.

MDC Nature Shops also offer “Conservation Trails,” a comprehensive guide to MDC trails that includes maps and facility information, points of historical and geological interest, and plants and wildlife you may encounter along the way. It is available for purchase at www.mdcnatureshop.com or at conservation nature centers for $5 plus tax. Get a 15% discount with a Conservation Heritage Card.

-Rebecca Maples-

Hike on May 21 will highlight St. Joe State Park

JEFFERSON CTY, MO., MAY 12, 2011 – Learn about the terrain of St. Joe State Park in Park Hills and what makes it a popular recreational area during a hike May 21. The hike will begin at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the public to attend.

            The hike will be led by interpretive staff from Missouri Mines State Historic Site, which is adjacent to the park. Interested hikers should meet at the Missouri Mines State Historic Site trailhead for the two-mile round trip. The hike will travel along the north end of the park's bicycle trail to the Davis Creek dam, which created the desertlike terrain of the off-road vehicle area. Along the way, there will be a discussion of the mining industry's role in creating the park’s recreational area, and hikers can watch for birds, spring wildflowers and reptiles.

            Missouri Mines State Historic Site is located on the south side of Highway 32, two miles west of the Leadington/Park Hills exit on Highway 67. For more information, contact the historic site at 573-431-6226 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946(voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telcommunications Device for the Deaf). For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

State Parks Youth Corps job fair May 14 at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., MAY 4, 2011 -- Young Missourians have an opportunity for a summer job while learning new skills and discovering Missouri state parks and historic sites. Information about this year’s State Parks Youth Corps will be provided at a job fair Saturday, May 14 at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site near Lawson.

The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the visitor center and museum. Staff will be available to answer questions about the program and what opportunities are available for this year.

            The State Parks Youth Corps will provide jobs for youth 17-21 years of age from April 1 through Nov. 30.  Youth will earn $7.25 an hour and work throughout the state, enhancing and improving Missouri state parks and historic sites. The program also will provide them with work experience and an opportunity to learn new skills and possible careers in natural resources.

Youth corps members will perform a variety of tasks from routine maintenance work and trail construction to guided tours and social media efforts. Examples include painting buildings and repairing roofs and windows; planting trees and maintaining landscapes; building and maintaining trails; inventorying historic artifacts and native species; assisting in offices and visitor centers; and providing tours and programs.

First initiated by Gov. Nixon in 2010, the State Parks Youth Corps is a partnership between the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the Missouri Division of State Parks, and Missouri’s local Workforce Investment Boards. The local boards help recruit and place individual youth in work positions at the parks. Park staffs provide guidance and leadership to the youth workers throughout the summer.

This year’s program is funded by Workforce Investment Act 15 percent funds and youth must meet Workforce Investment Act guidelines, which include low income or other eligibility requirements. Income guidelines vary from an income of $10,890 for a family of one to $37,630 for a family of eight or receiving public assistance or food stamps. Other eligibility requirements include areas such as qualifying as homeless; or being a foster child, school dropout or being deficient in basic literary skills.     

Applications and additional program information, including eligibility guidelines, are available at MO.gov. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit with the local Workforce Investment Boards about eligibility guidelines.  

In 2010, State Parks Youth Corps members at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site assisted with grounds maintenance, repaired buildings, conducted tours and operated the reception desk at the visitor center. In 2011, job duties may include grounds maintenance, caring for the heirloom garden, painting buildings, conducting tours of the woolen mill and the Watkins family home, and participating in the Living History Farm Program. For information about the job fair, call the park at 816-580-3387. For information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.