Tag Archives: MDC

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MDC Reminds Missourians To Keep Wildlife Wild

Photo courtesy the Missouri Department of Conservation.

As Missourians begin to head outdoors during the long-awaited spring season, they may encounter a variety of newborn animals. Though the young wildlife can pull on the heartstrings, and oftentimes appears to be abandoned, that’s usually not the case.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds residents to avoid interfering with newborn or young animals as it can do more harm than good.

“Young animals are rarely orphaned,” said MDC State Wildlife Veterinarian Sherri Russell. “If the young is left alone, the parent will usually return. Parents are normally out searching for food and cannot constantly attend to their offspring.”

Russell added that baby birds are a common newborn people want to help.

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Posted on May 6, 2019 in Outdoor/Nature

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Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day At Columbia Bottom Conservation Area May 11

May 11 is International Migratory Bird Day, and Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake is kicking off the celebration a week early with a special event Sunday, May 5 from Noon- 4 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone.

The The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is celebrating  International Migratory Bird Day! Read more below from the MDC about the upcoming event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area on Sunday, May 11, 2019.

Everything needs its special day, including migratory birds. May 11 has been officially designated as International Migratory Bird Day. It celebrates bird migration in America, and is also observed in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

The MDC is getting a week head start on the celebration at its Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake.

Columbia Bottom will hold a special International Migratory Bird Day event Sunday, May 5,from Noon—4 p.m. The area is an important stopover point for migrating birds of all sorts, so it’s a special place to celebrate these amazing feats of mass movement. Fun and educational activities from multiple partners will help visitors discover why Columbia Bottom is so important for migratory birds, as well as ways they can help, too.

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Posted on May 1, 2019 in Outdoor/Nature

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Beware The Pear! Avoid Planting The Invasive Callery Pear Tree

Photo: MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) released information about the invasive Callery pear tree. Plant native trees and plants instead! Read more from the MDC below about this important topic.

The MDC encourages homeowners and landscapers to avoid planting Callery pear trees this spring. Though these trees bear beautiful white flowers in the springtime, looks can be deceiving.

The Callery pear tree is often found for sale as Bradford pear, Cleveland Select, Autumn Blaze, or Aristocrat. It is a highly invasive species that multiplies quickly, flourishes in a variety poor growing conditions, and reduces biodiversity by crowding out native Missouri plants.

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Posted on April 19, 2019 in Outdoor/Nature

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Missouri Morel Season Is Upon Us! Happy Hunting!

It’s almost Morel season!

Want a few pointers on hunting the golden morel’s?

CLICK HERE to check out the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website for pictures, videos, important information, like the description of the lookalike poisonous false morels.

We also have our own story about local Missouri Morel hunting. Read our past post HERE.

Get outside and have fun looking for the yummy Missouri Morel!

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Posted on April 6, 2019 in Outdoor/Nature

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Where Are St. Louis’ Urban Fishing Hotspots? Find Out Feb. 22!

Posted on February 16, 2019 | Leave a comment

There are over 80 public lakes comprising more than 1,200 acres of water in the St. Louis area. Photo provided by MDC.

UPDATE FROM MDC: “Fishin’ Hotspots of the St. Louis Area” program at Powder Valley Nature Center has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances making the speaker unavailable. The program will be rescheduled at a later date. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your support of conservation.

 

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) continues its 50th anniversary of St. Louis urban fishing celebration with a special presentation at Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood. The St. Louis lake fishing hotspots program will be held Friday, Feb. 22 starting at 7 p.m.

St. Louis has many quality lake and pond fishing opportunities, from rainbow and brown trout in winter months, to largemouth bass and channel catfish sure to give any angler’s line a workout in warmer months. Many St. Louis anglers may not know about them, however. There are more than 80 public lakes comprising more than 1,200 acres of water within a one-hour drive of the Gateway Arch.

MDC invites St. Louis-area anglers to learn about these overlooked St. Louis fishing holes with MDC Fisheries Management Biologist Kevin Meneau, who manages the urban fishing program.

Read more about the event and how to register below.

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MDC Marks 50th Anniversary With Year Long Celebration of St. Louis’ Urban Fishing Program

Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.

Read the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) story of how the Urban Fishing Program (UFP) began and how the positive influence of the outdoors was a resounding success in our urban communities.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the MDC Urban Fishing Program. MDC plans to spend 2019 celebrating and invites metro area anglers to join in.

The UFP was originally initiated in 1969 by the federal government during a time when civil unrest was causing tensions in many cities across the country. Their goal was to bring close-to-home fishing to people and infuse a positive influence into urban communities. The program launched in six cities, including St. Louis with the cooperation of MDC and the St. Louis Parks and Recreation Department. It was a resounding success in the Gateway City. MDC took over the UFP in 1972 and eventually expanded it into St. Louis County and Kansas City.

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Posted on January 19, 2019 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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World Renowned Botanist Peter Raven To Speak At Powder Valley Nature Center In Kirkwood May 23

Missouri Botanical Garden President Emeritus Peter Raven will give a presentation at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 23. Dr. Raven one of the world’s leading botanists and advocates of conservation and biodiversity.

The man who helped mold the Missouri Botanical Garden (MoBOT) into the world-class institution it is today will speak at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood, near the intersection of I-44 and I-270.

Dr. Raven’s presentation will explore the challenges of maintaining sustainable natural resources on a planet with an ever-growing population.   He will address stewardship and conservation for the long-term success of our natural world.

The free event will be held Tuesday, May 23, at 7 p.m., but seating is limited. Advanced reservations are required by calling 314-301-1500.

Read more from the MDC below.

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Posted on May 19, 2017 in Local Events

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Celebrate The Great Missouri Birding Trail at Powder Valley Nature Center May 18

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center will host the St. Louis area celebration of the Great Missouri Birding Trail Thursday, May 18. This virtual birding path is driven by a website that includes an interactive map of the best birding sites around the Show-Me State.

Celebrate the completion of the Great Missouri Birding Trail at Powder Valley Nature Center on Thursday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to Noon. The nature center is located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood, near the intersection of I-270 and I-44. The free event is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Bird Conservation Foundation.

The events will include a brief opening ceremony with Birding Trail signage unveiled followed by short birding walks on Powder Valley trails. The first 25 people at each event will receive a Great Missouri Birding Trail tote bag or water bottle. Attendees will also get Trail bumper stickers and lens cloths for cameras and binoculars.

Missouri has close to 1.5 million birders, age 16 and older, according to Mike Doyen, president of the Missouri Bird Conservation Foundation.

“Birding is the fastest growing activity in Missouri, the nation, and around the world,” he said. “Our estimated economic impact in Missouri is close to $1 billion annually.”

Read more about the new birding trail from the continued MDC release below.

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Posted on May 17, 2017 in Local Events

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Missouri’s Invasive Feral Hog Issues: Illegal Activities Help Spur Change In Regulations

A female Feral Hog is caught on a snare in a wood near Taum Sauk Mountain in Ironton County, MO. Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.

A female Feral Hog is caught on a snare in a wood near Taum Sauk Mountain in Ironton County, MO. Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.

The Missouri Conservation Commission approved changes to prohibit the hunting of feral hogs on lands owned, leased or managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) beginning September 30, 2016.

The new regulations do not apply to privately owned property in Missouri.

The new regulations are in response to a public comment period,  research from other states, and issues with efforts by MDC staff to trap and eliminate groups of the feral hogs, according to information contained in an MDC press release.

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Posted on June 30, 2016 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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Grow Native! Taking Pollinator Programs To The Next Level

Sigh showcasing the Grow Native! program at the Kirkwood Earth Day Festival.

Sigh showcasing the Grow Native! program at the Kirkwood Earth Day Festival.

Grow Native! – is a one of a kind program that began right here in Missouri. The program is a native plant marketing and education program of the Missouri Prairie Foundation.

Bill Ruppert, a local gardening and conservation expert, shares his insight into the diverse Grow Native! program on the informative podcast found below. Many organizations are mentioned in the podcast with either being associated with the Grow Native! program or that Ruppert is affiliated with like, the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, Missouri Department of Conservation, Shaw Nature Reserve, the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Missourians for Monarchs, Gateway Greening, Mayor Slay’s milkweed program, and more.

Ruppert also gives a look at the new St. Louis Science Center’s new exhibit opening this summer, “GROW”  and how the Annual Kirkwood  Earth Day got its start.

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Posted on April 17, 2016 in Outdoor/Nature, Podcasts

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