Environmental Echo

Photo: MDC

Almost 25,000 pounds of carp removed for both management and research.

A successful invasive carp removal project on the lower Grand River by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) provides hope for future similar projects. MDC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) used nets and electrofishing Sept. 12-16 to remove almost 25,000 pounds of non-native carp from the lower eight miles of the river. The project improved the river habitat for native fish and provided information for how commercial operations might be used in the future to reduce invasive carp. A commercial fishing business will market the fish caught during this operation.

“We were able to run very smooth and efficiently,” said Kasey Whitman, MDC Missouri River and Biometrics Unit supervisor. “The weather and the river cooperated.”

Invasive carp reproduce prolifically and grow quickly, taking up space in the water and reducing the food base for native fish, including sport fish. Fish removal projects cannot eliminate them from the rivers. But if commercial fishing operations can profitably remove carp, then that is one way the numbers of invasive fish can be reduced, and conditions improved for native fish. Commercial fishing is allowed in the Missouri River, Mississippi River, and St. Francis River.  However, under special permits it can be allowed in non-commercial waters.  The commercial fishing operator plans to process the Grand River carp caught to sell as catfish, crayfish, and lobster bait. Continue reading →

Photo: Ursula Ruhl

By Don Corrigan

Bikers, hikers and runners in the area, particularly in Kirkwood, are chomping at the bit to use the new Interstate 44 bridge lane over the Meramec River.

The lane is dedicated for their use, but ramps and other infrastructure — also for their use — are still under construction.

“As a bicyclist myself, I am as excited as everybody else to use the new bridge,” said Kyle Henke, director of the city of Kirkwood’s Parks and Recreation Department. “I think it’s going to be incredible for those of us on the Kirkwood side of the Meramec River to have access to everything on the west side.”

Among the sites that will be available are those along the section of the Meramec Greenway Trail that stretches from Unger Park Lake on the north to the lake at George Winter Park on the south.

Continue reading →

Photo: MDC

This free, guided outing on a paved trail is an ideal chance to explore nature regardless of mobility.

Enjoying nature and the great outdoors is for everybody, and mobility doesn’t have to be an obstacle.  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is leading a Nature Walk/Photo Hike for adults and children with disabilities Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., on the Busch Greenway Trail in St. Charles.  The event is open to all ages and mobility levels and family and support givers are welcome too.

The hike will be led by MDC volunteers and travel along an ADA-accessible paved trail toward the Katy Trial, then turn around and walk back.  The Busch Greenway travels near and through the August A. Busch Memorial and Weldon Spring Conservation Areas.

Continue reading →

Photo: MDC

Monarch butterflies migrate southward from northern states in early autumn, swelling their numbers for a time in the Kansas City region. To celebrate these beautiful orange and black butterflies and to promote their conservation, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host several programs for monarchs and other butterflies during September.

The monarch butterfly events will be hosted by MDC’s Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs and the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City. A butterfly event will also be offered at Platte County’s Platte Ridge Park.

COVID-19 safety precautions will be observed. Some programs are walk-in for the whole family, others may require registration and have an age requirement. All events connect people with one of nature’s most visibly wondrous creatures.

Continue reading →