Even though the official end of summer is still some weeks away, the season’s major events are winding down. However, there is still plenty of great weather to enjoy and many outdoor activities available in and around the beautiful conservation areas in Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) maintains hundreds of parcels of land, either owned or leased by the MDC, across the Show-Me State. These conservation areas, by definition, are public land, much like parks. The main difference is that the purpose of conservation land is to provide local wildlife with a natural habitat and Missouri’s citizens a place to experience nature and outdoor recreation. There are a number of these areas and river accesses within the 31st Senatorial District.
In Bates County, there is Butler City Lake, Harmony Mission Lake, Old Town Access, Peabody, Ripgut Prairie, and Settle's Ford Gun Club Range. Bates County shares the Four Rivers Conservation Area with Vernon County and the Settle’s Ford area with Cass County.
The conservation areas in Cass County include Amarugia Highlands, Bittern Bottoms, Dorsett Hill Prairie, North Lake (Harrisonville), and the James R. Harter Conservation Area.
Hazel Hill Lake, Holden City Lake, and the Lions Lake area are all in Johnson County.
Vernon County contains two river accesses at Balltown and Cephas Ford, with conservation areas Big Drywood Creek; Bristow; Douglas Branch; Flight Lake; Gama Grass Prairie; Gay Feather Prairie; Little Osage Prairie; McGennis Youth Center Lake; Izaac Walton Lake and Radio Springs Lake, both in Nevada; and Osage Prairie. The Schell-Osage area is shared with Saint Clair County and the Clear Creek area is shared with Barton County.
Camping and hiking trails are available on many of the conservation areas maintained by the MDC. But there is so much more waiting to be discovered. The MDC’s website lists birding as a popular, simple past-time that requires only binoculars and a bird identification manual. Geocaching has gained many proponents in the last few years as a family recreational activity, allowing all ages to get in on the fun of finding and interpreting these treasures. Shooting ranges are available at some MDC sites, along with outdoor education centers, both of which can help young people become safer, better-educated users of our natural resources.
As the days get shorter and children head back to school, please take advantage of the pleasant weather to get out and enjoy what Missouri has to offer. The moderate temperatures we are currently experiencing across the state seem to be nature’s way of inviting us to find the time to revel in the simple things. Nature is right around the corner.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
No comments:
Post a Comment