Category Archives: Outdoor/Nature

Photo: MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Ozark Land Trust (OLT) have partnered to acquire an ecologically critical 80-acre tract of land located immediately adjacent to the City of Perryville.

The property — containing eight sinkholes and a key entrance to the biologically rich Moore Cave system — will be restored to natural habitat, benefiting the federally endangered grotto sculpin and other cave fauna.

The grotto sculpin is found only in Perry County and depends on clean, undisturbed cave and karst habitats. The newly protected property contributes directly to the recharge zone that sustains the Moore Cave system’s water quality and ecological function.

“This acquisition will enable the restoration of 80 acres of habitat of great benefit to the grotto sculpin, help protect the Moore Cave system and the diverse wildlife it supports, and provide valuable opportunities to connect people to nature,” said MDC Fisheries Biologist Levi Frazier. “We are thankful for OLT’s willingness to take on ownership and stewardship of this important property and so appreciative of all our partners who made this project possible.”

OLT will begin restoring the former farmland to natural habitat to support both surface and underground species.

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The St. Louis Audubon Society is a great source to learn about native birds and the fun, interesting, and fascinating hobby of birdwatching.

Learn more about the St. Louis Audubon Society HERE.

ST. LOUIS STATUS OF THE FOX SPARROW: Can be very numerous some days in March and April and again in late October and November, in brushy and semi-wooded habitats as well as urban and suburban parks. In winter, widespread but generally in small numbers. May visit feeders at times.

Learn more and listen to the songs and calls of Fox Sparrows HERE.

by Don Corrigan

Since 1994, members of Missouri Outdoor Communicators have been telling great nature stories, snapping great photos, as well as just plain promoting the great outdoors. They’ve been making their mark for more than 30 years, and they’re revving up for a great 2026.

“MOC is a group of professional journalists, authors, bloggers, photographers, videographers, biologists, naturalists, companies and communities intent on celebrating all the outdoor adventures that can be enjoyed in Missouri,” said Kyle Stewart, long-time MOC Board Member.
According to Stewart, the mission of MOC is to advance knowledge of natural resources and related recreational pursuits, to improve MOC members’ communications skills, to promote the outdoors, to encourage appropriate use and conservation of natural resources.

Of course, another mission is to attract and to mentor the next generation of outdoor communicators. The need for a new generation to treasure the outdoors and to take up the efforts of MOC is critical.

“MOC is about championing the great outdoors and all its beauty, inspiration, and life lessons,” Stewart said. “It’s about building meaningful professional relationships and lasting personal friendships while fostering healthy communications.

“It’s also about spending time in both familiar and unfamiliar environments and learning new tips and techniques along the way,” he added. “MOC is about protecting and promoting the things that mean the most to us – the natural world and its inhabitants.”

For more information about MOC or joining the group, please call Kyle Stewart at 573-619-3296 or email him: kylewaynestewart@gmail.com. He and other MOC members will gladly assist you.

Photo courtesy Saint Louis Zoo

Four-month-old quintuplet cheetah cubs—Asha, Bozzie, Chirpa, Milani and Wickett—are now making public appearances at the Saint Louis Zoo. The cubs and their mother gained access to the cheetah habitat at River’s Edge starting, Sept. 17, 2025. The cheetah cubs will be visible for extremely limited hours over the next several weeks as they adjust to their new space. Cora and her quints will frequently have access to their public habitat first thing in the morning (typically between 9 and 10 a.m.). The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but there are no guaranteed times when the cubs will be visible.

The quintuplet cheetah cubs were born May 5, 2025, to first-time parents Cora, age 4, and Vader, age 8, and were soon dubbed “Cora’s Quints.” In their first months of life, the cheetah cubs have bonded closely with their mother and each other behind the scenes in a private habitat at the Zoo. The Animal Care Team has gradually introduced them to new enrichment and experiences to aid their development and prepare them for public debut.

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Invasive carp removal efforts, as photographed above, aim to combat the overpopulation of fish that outcompete native species for resources in Missouri waters. MDC will close Schimmel City Access on Sept. 8-11 and 22-25 to continue this work on the Platte River. Photo: MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is conducting an invasive carp removal on the Platte River. This effort will seek to inform management of invasive carp populations in the state’s big rivers and their smaller connected rivers and creeks. On Sept. 8-11 and Sept. 22-25, MDC will close the Schimmel City Access for the fish removal project. The access is located in Platte County, just north of Farley, Mo. The project is being conducted in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Crews will be removing the carp from the river, and a commercial fishing operation will then process the fish into various products such as a protein additive for animal feeds and for prepared fish bait for anglers.

Removal efforts like this project have potential to increase the available food and habitat for native fish in the Platte River such as buffalo, multiple catfish species, and the many smaller fish species that are part of the ecosystem. The invasive carp tend to spawn during periods of high water, and both young and mature carp congregate in the slower feeder streams and in the nutrient-rich water of deep pools. Continued work in those areas has the potential to remove large numbers of invasive carp for the betterment of the native species competing for resources in those areas.

Invasive carp reproduce prolifically and grow quickly to sizes too big for native predator fish to consume. They filter food and nutrients from the water that are needed by the many fish species native to the rivers, including those popular with anglers. One invader, silver carp, grow to large sizes and leap from the water when startled, and they can seriously injure boaters. The removal will target silver, bighead, grass, and black carp. Any other fish species captured will be measured and released as part of research and monitoring of the river’s fishery.

MDC has fish population sampling data from prior years and populations will be sampled after the carp removal. Biologists will monitor how native fish populations respond and how quickly invasive carp re-populate the stream section.

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