Written By:  Dan Zarlenga

St. Charles and Lincoln Counties, Mo. – Unusually large numbers of snow geese are congregating on and near the Confluence area of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Heavy snows in the western part of Missouri are driving the birds east and to the Confluence.

As of last week, B.K. Leach Conservation Area in Lincoln County recorded 7,000 snow geese on the area with an estimated 15,000 in the surrounding vicinity. This should provide exceptional opportunities for snow geese hunters, as well as wildlife watchers, video and still photographers.

Key Messages: 

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish.

read more

For hundreds of years, plant taxonomists have worked to understand how species are related. Until relatively recently, their only reliable source of information about these relationships was the plants' morphology--traits that could be observed, measured, counted, categorized, and described visually. And paramount among these morphological traits were aspects of flower shape and arrangement. However researchers have now found that floral morphologies may be less reliable than other traits in determining the relationships of papilionoid species and genera.

Written By:  Bill Graham

Jamesport, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a seminar and tour devoted to improving and managing habitat for deer from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Ivan Miller farm southeast of Jamesport.

Key Messages: 

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish.

read more

Written By:  Bil Graham

Kansas City, Mo. – Hunkering down indoors on snowy winter days with hot soup and a book or movie is fun for a while. But then adventurous folks get restless. Cold air and snow crunching under boots are cures for cabin fever. Trails at Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wildlife areas offer wildlife watching and interesting winter landscapes along with fresh air.

Key Messages: 

We help people discover nature.

read more

New research has uncovered a mechanism that regulates the reproduction of plants, providing a possible tool for engineering higher yielding crops.

Written By:  Francis Skalicky

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Taking initiative in implementing a first-time archery hunting opportunity in Branson and making extra effort to ensure outdoor recreational opportunities are accessible to everyone have earned state-wide recognition for two area hunter-education instructors.

Brad Hampton of Ozark has been named the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Bowhunter Education Instructor of the Year and Tisha Holden of Lebanon is MDC’s Staff Instructor of the Year.

Key Messages: 

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish.

read more

Researchers have found that bees and plants have been surprisingly resilient in the face of warmer temperatures and changing land use. The forests that once grew 10 miles outside of Carlinville are fragments of what they were when Robertson, who collected specimens in the late 1800s, drove his horse and buggy. Fields of corn have replaced acres of trees and prairie. Natural areas have been converted to agricultural, commercial or residential uses. Winter and spring temperatures have risen an average of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. But the researchers say that the good news is that these systems and the way they are structured make them really resilient to change.

Two biologists at Washington University in St. Louis were delighted to discover a meticulous dataset on a plant-pollinator network recorded by Illinois naturalist Charles Robertson between 1884 and 1916. Re-collecting part of Robertson's network, they learned that although the network has compensated for some losses, battered by climate change and habitat loss it is now weaker and less resilient than in Robertson's time.

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been a source of great controversy -- particularly in Europe -- but acts of vandalism and associated security costs have made scientific evidence about the health and ecological impacts of those crops hard to come by. A Swiss government-protected field site dedicated for use in GM crop studies could serve as an example to other European countries interested in pursuing crop biotechnology, according to a new article.

Written By:  Bill Graham

For more information on backyard bird feeding, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/node/4629

Kansas City, Mo. – Those feathered visitors are hungry. Drought during the past two growing seasons reduced seed production in wildflowers, grasses and trees. Plus recent deep snows covered food that was available on the ground.

Usually filling backyard feeders is a matter of people enjoying watching Missouri’s colorful migrant and resident birds grab a snack. Nature normally produces all the food the birds need. But this winter, feeders are truly boosting wild birds, said Larry Rizzo, a natural history biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Key Messages: 

We work with you and for you to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.

read more

Written By:  Jim Low

The clinic north of Clinton is open to participants age 9 through 15.

BLAIRSTOWN – Hunters age 9 through 15 who want to learn about turkey hunting can register for a youth turkey hunting clinic March 30.

The clinic is cosponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and Everhart's Wilderness Lodge. It will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the lodge, which is northwest of Clinton.

Key Messages: 

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish.

read more

Written By:  Bill Graham

Kansas City – The region’s latest snow storm fell with heavy, wet flakes that accumulated on tree limbs. Extra weight on limbs combined with wind caused breakage and damaged some trees. Property owners should, if no immediate hazards exist, take their time in making decisions on pruning the damage or tree replacement, said Chuck Conner, an urban forester for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

Key Messages: 

We work with you and for you to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.

read more

Written By:  Francis Skalicky

Project is a joint effort of MDC, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Two new fishing platforms will make it easier for even more anglers to take part in the trout fishing fun at Bennett Spring State Park this year.

Key Messages: 

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish.

read more

Fat worms confirm that researchers have successfully engineered a plant with oily leaves -- a feat that could enhance biofuel production as well as lead to improved animal feeds.

Biologists are collaborating in the characterization of genetic resource of the tree tomato to enhance its cultivation and commercialization in Andean and Mediterranean countries.

At the Postcode Lottery beneficiary gala (‘Goed Geld Gala’) of February 12, it was announced that the Dutch Botanic Gardens Association (NVBT) will receive a single contribution for the 5 years agenda “Planting the future”.

Written By:  Dan Zarlenga

Workshops are free and open to participants ages 11 and up. Advance registration is required.

 

High Ridge, Mo. — The 2013 spring turkey season runs from April 15 through May 5, with the spring youth turkey season running April 6 and 7. Missouri offers some of the finest turkey hunting in the country. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center is offering two workshops in March and April to help hunters get more out of the upcoming spring turkey season. They will include turkey hunting and calling techniques.

Key Messages: 

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish.

read more

Written By:  Jim Low

More than 25,000 trout will await them.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Sitting in front of a crackling fire tops the list of places to spend a gray winter day for many Missourians. But if you are smitten with the idea of reeling in shimmering, feisty, delicious trout, there is no better place to greet a wintry sunrise than Missouri’s four trout parks.

Key Messages: 

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish.

read more

Written By:  Candice Davis

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – When landscapers decide to grow native, native plants are sometimes difficult to find. The Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center and Cape Girardeau County Master Gardeners hold a native plant seminar annually to help well intentioned gardeners and landscapers find what they need.

This year’s seminar is scheduled for March 8 and 9 at the Nature Center in Cape County Park, North.

Key Messages: 

We work with you and for you to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.

read more

Written By:  Candice Davis

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Douglas County Conservation Agent Mark Henry received the prestigious United Bowhunters of Missouri Agent of the Year Award for 2012. Henry was presented the award at the recent United Missouri Bowhunters banquet held in Jefferson City.

Henry’s supervisor, Protection Regional Supervisor Gary Cravens, said Agent Henry is known for making unique and quality wildlife arrests.

Key Messages: 

We work with you and for you to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.

read more