Vol68 no5 2007

MISSOURI

Wildlife

SEPTEMBER 2007 VOL. 68, NO. 5

5 8 11 14

NEWS & ISSUES

4H Holds National Shooting Event

CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP CORPS

Nominations Being Accepted CONSERVATION COMMISSION

2 New Commissioners Appointed ted CFM FALL CONFERENCE Register Today

VIEW FROM THE STONE HOUSE

MISSOURI

Wildlife

The Humble Hickory he hottest days of the year are at last broken by cooler mornings and evenings. The transition is so gradual, that one easily misses the change, were it not for a few incontestable and unmistakable signs. The first of the black locust leaves wither and begin to fall. The walnuts mature, as do hickory nuts.

Not a squirrel born in Missouri, not even one born only a couple of months earlier, misses the approaching ripeness of hickory nuts. Neither should any among us squirrel hunters. A trip to a stand of hickories at daybreak in August or September is, for us, the zenith of the hunting year. Squirrels are everywhere. Squirrels are constantly active. The steady crunching of their preparations for winter by cutting and eating every nut in sight is wondrous to the observant. It virtually “rains” hickory nut shell bits beneath the canopy in early fall. This is an economist’s dream time of harvest, as close to production as possible.

Like all wild things on our farm, the hickories produce a surplus. They produce many, many more nuts than the squirrels can possibly eat. They also produce so many nuts that those not eaten by squirrels produce many, many more hickory seedlings than are needed for a healthy hickory population. From time to time, I cut some hickory trees to thin them and to encourage the vigor and

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growth of those which remain.

I admire the subtle value of hickory.

Not the anticipated goldmine of pampered walnuts, nor even the silver mother-lode of veneer-quality white oaks. In fact, hickories rarely command even the bargain basement price of pallet grade shingle oak from a logger. But to the squirrels and tree bats, hickories are life.

And to the handle maker, hickory is a tough old ally. To the BBQ zealot, hickory is the epitome of epicurean accent from Midwestern forests. And I would argue that Missouri hickory will warm a home just as thoroughly as the “Good Oak” of Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac. Each requires the one time cutting of trees.

Time for such musings and for an alluringly diverse and fascinating array of topics is on the way! Hunting season begins. The time for squirrels is now.

Then seasons for Mourning Doves, Teal, Giant Canada Geese, archery deer, woodcock, fall turkeys, ducks, firearms deer, trapping season, quail season…and the list goes on and on. Missouri is a wondrous place. Get out and make yourself some memories this fall! There is something of great value out there awaiting discovery by each of us, whether we are hunters or not. The choice of what is, thankfully, is yours. The reason why all these incredible options exist is because of what others have given us in the past:

September 2007 Vol. 68, No. 5 OFFICERS Glenn Chambers President Mike Schallon First Vice President Vacant Second Vice President Duane Addleman Secretary Randy Washburn Treasurer

license fees, federal tax dollars on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and other sporting goods, and certainly because of the 1/8th of 1% Missouri sales tax earmarked for conservation which has served us all very well for the past 30 years. None of this has happened by accident! It is up to each and every one of us to ensure the health, well being and continuation of outdoors opportunities for all in the present and future. Our activities certainly have economic value to our people.

But the added value to our quality of life and spirit provided by the Missouri outdoors is beyond price. THANKS CFM members for doing your part! It is natural that our efforts produce a surplus of benefits for all. We must continue to perform well if we are to successfully meet the challenges of the future.

Dave Murphy Executive Director, CFM

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To order this product, or for more information log on to www.osageoutdoors.com or call 1.888.253.6729.

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STAFF Dave Murphy Executive Director/Editor Lynne Jensen Lampe Design & Production Laurie Coleman Admin. Associate/ Membership and Managing Editor Leigh Love Admin. Associate/ Accounting Amy Buechler Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator Missouri Wildlife is the official publication of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

ISSN 1082-8591

728 W. Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 Phone • 573-634-2322 Fax • 573-634-8205 Email • dmurphy@confedmo.org Online • http://www.confedmo.org

MISSOURI WILDLIFE (USPS 012868) is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November for subscribers and members of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559. Of each member’s dues ($20 minimum) $2.00 shall be for a year’s subscription to Missouri Wildlife. Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO. and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MISSOURI WILDLIFE, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559.

COVER: Final approach—This outstanding photo of a mourning dove landing on a sunflower head was taken by Glenn D. Chambers.

Reduce • Reuse • Recycle

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

New CFM President Appointed hen Governor Matt Blunt appointed our own Don R. Johnson as a Conservation Commissioner on July 21, it set off a “domino effect” within CFM. The moment that Don resigned to accept the Commission appointment, the Nominating Committee asked me to fulfill the duties of President and Mike Schallon to fulfill the duties of First Vice President.

There is currently a vacancy for the office of Second Vice President.

The best thing about all of this personnel change is that Don is our new Conservation Commissioner. He is exceptionally well qualified on all fronts and we know that he will do a great job of representing and working for the citizens of Missouri.

Like Don, we all have jobs to do. My job is to be your new leader. I was handed the reins of a strong CFM and I will work tirelessly to keep it that way. I know that each of you will do the same.

Since I am taking over at “mid-term,” so to speak, I will not be making any Board appointments until I am officially sworn in at our Annual Meeting in February 2008. However, in anticipation of those appointments to come, I am beginning to think ahead in an effort to select highly qualified persons for those appointments. At that time you may be hearing some new names and seeing some new faces. We need new folks with new and fresh ideas. The demographics of CFM point to a lot of silver haired persons like me. Nothing wrong with a little age and maturity, but there is just something about youth that brings a whole new dimension to our cause.

Speaking of youth, we are blessed with our Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC). I am impressed with their energy and knowledge. They have very adequate-

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ly demonstrated that they have a role to play in our organization and that they can shoulder their part of the load. They are being showcased at the national level (NWF) as a group of “model” young folks and soon other states will hopefully be following our example with CLCs in their own states. We are honored and blessed to have them and we need to encourage them in every way that we can. We need to be champions for their cause.

You may as well know up front about some of the issues that I am going to be “hard nosed” about. One is to maintain the integrity of the one-eighth of one percent sales tax and the other is hand fishing.

While I was an employee of MDC as cinematographer, with the help of Charlie and Libby Schwartz, we produced a 40minute motion picture entitled Design for Conservation. If you have not seen the picture, you should secure a copy and review it, just to remind yourself of how well MDC has carried out the promises it made to the citizens of Missouri during the amendment campaign. Yes, I too was a petition carrier, and on many occasions, Ed Stegner and I took the film Design for Conservation and made presentations around the state. We all have a lot invested in that effort and we will have to be on guard continually to keep it intact THE WAY THAT THE CITIZENS OF MISSOURI VOTED FOR IT. Hand fishing is just as illegal as spotlighting deer. I will support the illegal status of hand fishing to protect and enhance our trophy catfish fishery. I was a biologist with MDC and although I was not a fisheries biologist, I understand the importance of having large, trophy fish available for the hook and line fishermen. My close friend and retired (MDC) catfish biologist, Tom Russell, put it best when he said

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it this way, and I quote,“It should be the fishes choice whether it bites on your offering of bait and risks being hooked, rather than being dragged out of its den by its gills”. Attention to trophy catfish management is long overdue and I applaud MDC’s recent stance on the issue.

As we enter into this new era of the conservation movement, we will be challenged as never before on many fronts.

There will be tough decisions ahead and we must be prepared to confront them.

This preparedness will come from a strong united front.

You can count on me, and I will be counting on you!!!! Take time now to reread our Mission Statement.

In the near future you will be hearing buzzwords like CONSERVATION SUMMIT and TEAMING WITH WILDLIFE. Stay tuned and get involved!!!

One challenge that I am anxious to address is increasing our membership.

This is an age-old problem but there are some approaches that we can take to help rectify the problem. When I make

appointments, you will see the names of some new folks in the leadership positions in the “membership department”. We need more women and more youth in our ranks.

I hope that you have noticed in the last two issues of Missouri Wildlife the information about our very first Sporting Clays Fundraiser to be held at River Hills Sporting Clays near Boonville on October 13th (see advertisement in this issue). We are well into the planning stages and we are expecting a good turnout. Many of you have volunteered to help, but we can always use more helpers. Call David or me to offer your services and we will put you to work. We need to sign up more shooting teams and more station sponsors.

These opportunities are listed in our advertisement.

I am encouraged about our strengthened relationship with NWF. Marya Fowler is a great ambassador and very helpful and interested in our success. She has already volunteered to be on site to help us with our Sporting Clays Shoot in October.

It is an honor and I look forward to serving as your President. We are 80,000 members strong and I need your support.

Together we can make a difference. I will look forward to input from each of you.

My phone number is 573-445-9773 and my new email address is glennchambers@mac.com. Many of my friends have a saying that goes something like this,“If the phone rings before 6:00 (am) and after 10:00 (pm) it is probably Glenn.” I rise early and stay up late, so feel free to contact me if I can be of help. If I don’t hear from you, you may hear from me!!!!

Glenn Chambers President, CFM

There are many experienced hunters, boaters and conservationists.

There are many award-winning video and TV producers.

Very few are all of the above.

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MEDIA PRODUCTIONS Specializing in Wildlife Conservation Education

Salem (800) 827-3403 • www.meramacbison.com

To talk to one of the few who does it all, call Lee Vogel at 816.510.9127 • www.wacondamedia.com M I S S O U R I

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AGENCY NEWS

Partnerships Help State Parks Serve Missourians he days are a little shorter now, and in a matter of weeks the temperatures will begin to drop just a bit, followed by the return of Missouri’s glorious fall foliage. As autumn draws near, I hope many of you have a good summer memory of time spent in one of Missouri’s many state parks.

Some of you may have taken the opportunity to visit Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, which partially reopened in early July to allow visitors access to the shut-ins, picnic sites, parking area and the store. The park will close again Sept.

3 to allow restoration work to continue.

In May, approximately 400 Boy Scouts and leaders planted trees and helped with cleanup at the park. If a Boy Scout in your community participated in this important effort, I encourage you to let them know how much you appreciate their hard work.

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Missouri’s state park system is one of the best in the nation. Surveys of our visitors show they receive consistently good service thanks to our committed state park staff. Maintaining a system of 83 state parks and historic sites is a significant undertaking, and in addition to our employees, we rely on volunteer groups like the Boy Scouts and partnerships with other agencies to ensure our state parks and historic sites continue to provide a variety of experiences and opportunities.

At Gov. Blunt’s request, we are working in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Conservation to develop a new state park on the banks of the Current River in Shannon County. The former Alton Club north of Eminence will serve as the basis of this new state park.

The club was constructed c. 1935-1945 as a corporate retreat for the Alton Box Board Co. and is currently under the oversight of the Department of Conser-

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vation. The buildings, which were recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflect the influence of rustic architecture popular in camp and park buildings in the first half of the 20th century. This site also contains dormitories, a large gymnasium, several support structures and lovely views of the Current River, making it an ideal place for visitors to relax and enjoy Missouri’s splendor.

This opportunity is significant because it represents the first major partnership between the departments of Natural Resources and Conservation for the development of a new state park. It also represents the return of the state park system to the Current River since Big Spring, Round Spring and Alley Spring state parks were transferred to the National Parks Service in 1968 to serve as the cornerstone of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. We are also pleased to be working with the National Park Ser-

vice to provide a recreation opportunity to citizens and visitors. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry and the new state park will complement each other, providing an expanded recreational opportunity.

The Department of Natural Resources will be seeking sponsorships, grants and donations to finance the development of the new park. The long-term planning process for the park will begin soon and will involve public input.

Thanks to our staff, volunteers and partner agencies, the recreational opportunities available in Missouri continue to improve. If you’re one of the countless Missourians who have helped make this happen, thanks for your efforts to provide a better future for Missouri citizens!

Doyle Childers Director, DNR

Conservationists For Life ($1,000 Contribution) Charles Abele, Saint Louis Duane and Nancy Addleman, Springfield Richard Ash, Saint Charles Dane Balsman, Perryville Jim Tom Blair, Saint Louis Stephen Bradford, Cape Girardeau Ron Coleman, Saint Albans Mark Corio, Columbia Dave Kolb Grading, Saint Charles John Enderle, Kelso Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Fleming, Columbia Howard & Sara Fleming, Moberly Mr. & Mrs. Matt Fleming, Moberly Gery Gremmelsbacher, Saint Louis Allan Hoover, Pleasant Hill Don Johnson, Festus Roger & Debbie Johnson, Humansville Duane & Cosette Kelly, Independence Sara Knight, Charlotte, NC Carl Kurz, Leawood, KS Jay Law, Saint James

Gerald Lee, Kansas City Joel LeMaster, Fulton Norman Leppo, Saint Louis Leroy Logan, Arnold Chip McGeehan, Marshfield Cynthia Metcalfe, Saint Louis David Murphy, Columbia Abe Phillips, Saint Louis Gerald Ross, Jefferson City Mike Schallon, Ballwin Timothy Schwent, Jackson Arlene Segal, Kansas City Charles & Winnie Stribling, Mexico Barbara VanBenschoten, Kansas City Lee Vogel, Kansas City Al Vogt, Columbia Randy Washburn, Jefferson City Stephen Wilson, Hartsburg Dick Wood, Saint Louis Howard Wood, Bonne Terre Robert Ziehmer, California

When will you add your name to the list?

CFM Life Membership Application Patriotic Decorations

Name: _____________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________Email:_____________________________ Payment Method (circle one):

Cash

Check

Credit Card _______________________________ Exp. Date:__________

AND ISSUES

A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND THE STATE

Missouri Youth Compete in 4-H National Shooting Event Thirty-five 4-H youth traveled to Rapid City, South Dakota, June 25-28, to represent Missouri in the 8th annual 4-H National Invitational Match. The 4-Hers were members of one of nine different teams, each team competing in a different shooting discipline, which included: shotgun, air rifle, small bore rifle, air pistol, small bore pistol, muzzleloading, compound archery, recurve archery, and hunting skills. The competition consisted of three different events in each discipline and took place over a three-day period.

There were 458 4-H members from 32 different states registered for the national event.

Team Member & Ranking Overall MUZZLELOADING – 1ST PLACE TEAM OVERALL

Jessica Coulson, Bevier – 1st Matt Brooks, Fair Grove – 4th Derek Wilson, Jefferson City – 6th Kyle Dunda, Wildwood – 9th Coach – David Brooks, Fair Grove

HUNTING SKILLS – 5TH PLACE TEAM OVERALL

Grady Hoenshell, Pleasant Hill – 3rd Nathan Meyer, Rocheport Philip Van Hove, Columbia J.W. Schrock, Garden City Coach – Tim Coy, Lewistown AIR RIFLE

Jordan Robertson, Rosebud – 8th Jami Turner, Ewing Tyler Brigance, Fair Grove Kaleigh Roberts, Foley Coach – Gary Brigance, Fair Grove AIR PISTOL

Kim Nuelle, Higginsville Shelby Dunseith, Bevier Matt Richards, Lee’s Summit Coach – Ed Meyer, Marshall RECURVE ARCHERY

Ben Jennings, Centralia Jonathan Lagemann, Bowling Green Jamie Stevens, Perry Shelby DeOrnellis, Paris Coach, Walter Branson, Warrenton COMPOUND ARCHERY

Nathan Smith, Center Ryan Ponzer, Harrisburg Kyle Meyer, Rocheport Luke Jaster, Concordia Coach – Kevin Crosby, Buckner

SMALL BORE RIFLE – 2ND PLACE TEAM OVERALL

Jesse Johnson, Odessa – 2nd place individual Tyler Kemp, Auxvasse – 5th place individual Chris Lewis, Rolla Taylor Moreland, Harrisonville Coach – Mike Breshears, Odessa SHOTGUN -3RD PLACE TEAM OVERALL

Ryan Denbigh, Columbia – 8th Jared Grice, Raymore Cody Schutte, O’Fallon Tyler Dietzschold, Chillicothe Rod Zeller, Lexington SMALL BORE PISTOL – 3RD PLACE TEAM OVERALL

Danielle Hoskins, Rayville, 3rd Kellie Zurowski, Pleasant Hill, 8th Cheyenne Hoenshell, Pleasant Hill Lea Munslinger, Williamstown Coach – Eddie Howery, Marshall

2007 Fall Conference The 2007 Conservation Federation of Missouri Fall Conference will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 14, 15 and 16, 2007 at Camp Clover Point, Lake Ozark State Park, Osage Beach, Missouri.

Programs planned are Coleman Repair, Spear Throwing (Atlatl), Archery with Don Johnson, Cooking with Henrietta, Earthquakes by Sarah Seidler, Dutch oven cooking by Charlie Ponciroli, fire making, orienteering with compass, wildlife rehab, knife sharpening, making a whistle from a willow branch, and crafts for adults and kids.

Entertainment will be games, bingo, square dancing, marshmallow roast,

O P E N S PA C E C O U N C I L

NEWS

Participants prepare to set off on the 2007 Media Float Trip on the Meramec River.

campfire, story telling and guitar playing.

The Happy Hour and White Elephant Sale Saturday afternoon is always a good time. When you are cleaning out your garages and basements, save some good stuff to donate to the White Elephant Sale. The sale helps to defray the expenses of the Fall Conference.

The food is always wonderful!

Reserve September 14 – 16, 2007 on your calendar and plan to attend for this relaxing weekend.

See you there.

You will find a registration form for the 2007 Fall Conference on page 14 of this issue.

Conservationists Document 40 Years Of Meramec River Restoration On Sunday, July 28, 2007 at 9:00 am, ten canoes of journalist, outdoor writers, videographers, conservationist and citizens departed from Meramec State Park in Sullivan, Missouri on a sixday, 108-mile canoe trip to document 40 years of river restoration work in the Meramec Basin by many individuals, public and private organizations.

The event kicked off three months of river-related activities on the Meramec River and its tributaries including the 40th Annual Operation Clean Stream on Saturday, August 25, the first ever Meramec Basin Summit scheduled for September 20-22 in St. Louis and Steelville and a Missouri Stream Team Conference to be held in Arnold, Mis-

souri, on Saturday, October 27.

The Meramec River once rated as one of the most degraded streams in the state of Missouri has enjoyed an amazing renaissance over the past 40 years as a result of the work many volunteers, public and private efforts to restore its conservation value, outdoor recreation benefit and natural beauty.

River restoration work began in earnest in 1967 with the first Operation Clean Stream and continues today.

Information collected by those participating in the summer 2007 Media Float Trip will be used in a new documentary film on the Meramec River schedule to be available for educational purposes in a DVD format later this fall.

For more information about the new Meramec River Documentary DVD or any of the future Meramec River events mentioned contact Ron Coleman or Amy Butz of the Open Space Council by calling 636-451-6090 or 636-334-3035 or by email at amy@openspacecouncilstl.org. The Open Space Council is a CFM affiliate organization.

Wildlife Arts Festival To Benefit Conservation The Third Annual Missouri Wildlife Arts Festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4, 2007 at the beautiful St. Charles Foundry Arts Centre located at 520 N. Main Ctr. in historic downtown St. Charles, Missouri. The festival will feature over 40 of the top wildlife artists from Missouri and across the nation. The event will feature paintings, photography, pottery, bronzes and carvings.

The festival is open to the public and art work can be purchased directly from the artist. Hours for the show are

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NEWS AND ISSUES Saturday, November 3rd, 11:00 am7:00 pm and Sunday, November 4th, 10:00 am-4:00 pm. There is a modest admission of $5.00 per person (children under 16 free).

This unique event is being sponsored by the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) in partnership with the Missouri Wildlife Artist Society and two St. Louis Area conservation groups, the Greenway Network and the Open Space Council for the St. Louis Region.

Proceeds from the festival will go towards supporting the conservation work of the sponsoring organizations.

If you would like more information about the festival feel free to contact the Conservation Federation of Missouri office by calling 800-575-2322, the Missouri Wildlife Artists Society at 573498-3479 or the Open Space Council for the St. Louis Region at 636-451-6090 or info@openspacecouncilstl.org.

Welcome CFM New Members Christine Aide, Cape Girardeau Air Shield Inc., Ballwin John Allen, Sedalia Hilah Allison, Kansas City Mary Lee Anderson, Kansas City Tom Anderson, Columbia Philip Arnaud, Monett George Ashby, Kansas City Mart Atkinson, Excelsior Springs John Baker, Mexico Margaret Barbero, Columbia Ralph Barker, Saint Louis Don Bay, Columbia Rosie Beacham, Independence Byron Beare, Saint Louis J.E. Beckman, Lake Saint Louis Clarence Bess, Saint Peters Max Black, Poplar Bluff M.D. Bonebrake, Springfield Richard Boutwell, Saint Joseph Lois Boyle, Florissant George Brand, Saint Louis Eugene Braschler, Fairdealing Ronnie Bray, Newburg James Brewer, Adrian John Brown, Ozark Anastasia Brubaker, Saint Louis William Bruns, Saint Louis Roger Bumgarner, Columbia

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Herbert Busken, Saint Louis Dorothy Butler, Centertown S.V. Carpenter, Butler Jean Carter, O’Fallon Michael Chouinard, Sikeston Gregory Christoffel, Chesterfield Thomas Clark, Kansas City Richard Collins, Center Charles Collom, Sikeston Howard Cook, Independence Bert Cottrell, La Grange Pawnee Creson, Springfield Edward Cunliff, Saint Louis Dorothy Curiale, Kansas City Margie Curtis, Jonesburg Donald Davis, Raymore Linda Deese, Lone Jack Neal Delmonico, Kirksville Barbara Devino, Columbia Kenneth Diffee, Saint Louis Tom Dorsey, Hannibal Jane Downs, Saint Louis D.G. Durham, Ballwin Jerry Earlewine, Saint Charles Caroline Early, Saint Louis Ronald Eckenrodt, Florissant Adrean Eikermann, Owensville Marguerite Ellis, Sedalia Verna Ellis, Hazelwood Gregory Elliston, Harrisonville Lynn Etter, Saint Louis Roy Farchmin, Shawnee Mission, KS James Finlay, Saint Louis Linda Fischer, Jefferson City John Flake, Higginsville Charles Ford, Blue Springs Marya Fowler, Austin, TX Janet Freese, Saint Louis Myrtle Froeschner, Saint Louis Leroy Froneyberger, Fenton Nicholas Frost, Rolla J.D. Garton, Holt Janis Gates, Eureka Jules Gerard, Chesterfield Dorothy Gnat, Saint Joseph Jobie Goslee, Springfield Bernice Grandstaff, Saint Louis Max Grandstaff, Rogersville Lloyd Griggs, La Grange Walter Gummersheimer, Saint Louis Don Hannah, Clinton John Hansman, Poplar Bluff Charles Hapke, Saint Louis Patricia Hart, Ozark Theresa Hay, Kansas City Kimberly Heft, Kansas City Linda Heinicke, Saint Louis Rachael Hight, Koshkonong Jennifer Hites, Maryland Heights Jim Hoerschgen, Bonnots Mill David Hughes, Mountain Grove Richard Hughes, Saint Louis Jack Hussey, Chillicothe Ruth Hyman, Saint Louis

Valarie Ikero, Joplin Barbara Ittner, Noel Robert Janitch, Saint Charles Roy Jeffery, El Dorado Springs Elmer Jennings, Oak Grove Ellery Johnson, Florissant Leonard Johnson, Hazelwood Julie Jokerst, Sainte Genevieve Ricky Jones, Aurora Norma Juracsik, Saint Louis Herman Kaller, Florissant James Kaneaster, Branson Carol Kaplan-Lyss, Saint Louis Archie Kehr, Steelville John Keithley, Half Way Lawrence Keller, Ballwin Lori Kelly, Holden Pat Kesler, Poplar Bluff C. Kincaid, Bradleyville Ruth Koblenz, Saint Louis Rita Kobertzlee, Saint Peters Ann Korschgen, Columbia Walter Kunkel, Saint Louis Jean Kuntz, Ashland W.A. Landis, Faucett Don Layton, Perryville Gisele Leeder, Harrisonville Madeleine Lightfoot, Neosho Jim Littlefield, Forsyth Marjorie Lockwood, Chamois Robert Long, Moberly Lee Love, Cape Girardeau David Lundquist, Odessa Thomas Luther, Saint Louis Eugene Maggard, Salem Patty Mahan, Greenwood Jason Markovich, Wentzville Robert McCory, Wright City McDaniel Funeral Service, Kennett Ernest McGonigal, Odessa Danny McMurphy, Sullivan Edward McNeil, Dixon Tony Mercer, Edgerton Merlin Stelzer Sales Company, Saint Louis Howard Miller, Saint Louis Richard Minasian, Saint Peters Missourian Publishing Company, Washington Carol Moore, Saint Charles Marvin Moose, Saint Joseph Harry Morley, Chesterfield Hubert Morris, Bonne Terre Marian Morris, Richland Loren Moseley, Kansas City Richard Murphy, Ballwin Glenn Neidel, Saint Joseph Mary Oberlin, Springfield Ivan Obert, Joplin Thomas O’Brien, Troy Diane Oerly, Columbia Kathleen Oglesby, Saint Louis John Orlando, Saint Louis Thomas O’Sullivan, Kansas City P.E. Otto, Washington Brian Page, Columbia Ben Parnell, Springfield Hubert Patterson, Rolla

William Pecher, Florissant Becky Petteway, Fordland June Phillips, Kansas City April Piland, Ellsinore Richard Pisoni, Saint Louis Arthur Ploetze, Poplar Bluff Lillian Plunkett, Lebanon Dale Poinsett, Ferguson Joel Porath, Ballwin John Poullain, Arnold Evalyn Powell, Liberty Anthony Quosig, Theodosia Ronald Rathbun, Maywood Frankie Earl Ratliff, Rolla Ken Reichert, Virden, IL Paul Rhiney, Saint Louis Ruth Rice, Naylor Rose Rickard, Neosho Margaret Rieckenberg, Saint Louis Janet Rivers, Independence Claremont Robinson, Liberty James Robinson, Clinton Jim Rogers, Lebanon Miriam Root, Greenfield Colleen Rose, Springfield Scott Roy, Trenton Robert Royle, Marquand David Rush, Belton Harvey Sartin, Seymour Michael Schremmer, Saint Charles Anna Schriever, Elsberry Audrey Sczepanski, Ballwin Emily Sears, Richland DeAnn Sharpless, Hillsboro Frances Sills, Saint Ann K.D. Sizemore, Eagle Rock J.S. Smart, Kansas City Sheldon Smith, Battlefield Eileen Soper, Ballwin Winifred Soper, Slater Clarence South, Troy W.W. Sparkman, Poplar Bluff Robert Sparks, Kirksville Walter Staley, Mexico Richard Stoll, Sainte Genevieve Thomas Strait, Saint James Strippgen Woodworking Company, Saint Louis Nadine Stuerke, Higginsville Jim & Linda Switlik, Nevada Jim Tesreau, Kimberling City Thompson Farms Inc., Mound City Judith Trout, Kansas City James Volskay, Carthage W & M Welding, Sedalia Florence Wallace, Lebanon Joshua Weller, Grover Dewayne Wieprecht, Maywood Joyce Wilcox, Doniphan Emogene Williams, Gravois Mills Keith Williams, Saint Louis Patrick Williams, Kansas City Janet Wind, Saint Charles J. Lloyd Wion, Farmington Maxine Wittmeyer, Kansas City Dorothea Wolf, Rolla Larry Wright, Warrensburg

Pull...for Conservation!!

CFM First Annual Sporting Clays Tournament Oct. 13, 2007 • 9:00 am–3:00 pm • River Hills Sporting Clays • Boonville, MO • Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops 8:30 am ~ registration begins 9:00 am - 3:00 pm ~ shoot and reshoot

SIGN ME / SIGN US UP!! _____ Team Sponsor $250 (4 competitors and sign)

_____ Squad $175 (4 competitors)

River Hills Sporting Clays is a first-class shooting facility. Fun for beginners and experienced competitors alike. Special price for youth (17 and under) $20. Improve your score, reshoot for only $20.

_____ Station Sponsor $125 (sign)

_____ Team $100 (2 competitors)

_____ Shotgun Tickets ($5 each or 5 for $20)

_____ Reshoot $20

11:30 am–1:00 pm ~ lunch served all day

Your Name _________________________________________________________________________________

All day ~ auction bidding and gun raffle. We will have some outstanding items up for silent auction bidding, plus chances at winning a fine shotgun donated by Bass Pro Shops. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Tickets may be purchased before the event or when you register at the event. Winner need not be present to win.

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________

4:00 pm ~ award party A and B flight prizes will be awarded for first and second place two-person teams according to Lewis Class. Each contestant also receives a commemorative event souvenir.

Please complete the form at left and return with payment to: Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101

_____ Youth $20 (17 and under)

City _________________________State_______Zip____________ Home Phone ___________________Work Phone _____________________Email________________________ Company Name (for sponsor signs) ________________________________________________________________________ Preferred shooting time: (circle one) ~ Morning or Afternoon In addition to yourself, who will join you?

1. ___________________________________________ 2. ___________________________________________ 3. ___________________________________________ Payment of $ __________ enclosed. Please charge my Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card No. ________________________________________________Expiration Date________________

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CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP CORPS

Nominate An Outstanding Student CLC Seeks to Expand Participation

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of 2007, approximately 50 students participated in the annual Convention.

The program has been enthusiastically received by CLC members and Federation members alike. Following are some comments received from the students: “Great meeting and talking with people as well as seeing how the resolution process works.”

“The issues discussed were pertinent and important to all our members.”

“A great way to meet people and gain knowledge of conservation.”

“Thank you for allowing me this great chance.”

Please take a few minutes to nominate that special student! Provide an opportunity for a young man or woman to see how CFM works. Let a budding conservationist meet and network with others on important issues.

Our aim is to have students from every part of our great state. We also urge you to nominate students from all cultures and backgrounds. This is your chance to make a contribution to the future of CFM! We need to receive your nominations by October 5, 2007. Thank you.

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emember that old Election Day saying “Vote Early and Vote Often”? Well, now you have the opportunity to do just that…legally! The Education Committee of the Conservation Federation of Missouri is seeking nominations of students to the Conservation Leadership Corps. We need your help!

From anglers and archers, from coon hunters and canoeists, from fishermen and falconers, from affiliates and sustaining members, we want your input.

What is the Conservation Leadership Corps? Those Federation members who attended any of the last five Conventions are well aware of this vibrant group of young men and women that want to make an impact on conservation issues now and in the future.

For those unfamiliar with the CLC here is a brief summary of the program. The CLC consists of a group of highly recommended students, ranging from juniors in high school through seniors in college. These students have already achieved academic success and have been involved in conservation projects and issues. The Corps began in 2002 with a small group of students. Each year the membership has expanded. In March

Conservation Leadership Corps attendees at the 2007 Annual Convention.

Mission Statement: Engaging youth in sustaining the conservation of our natural resources.

Purpose: Sustain conservation leadership in Missouri and the Conservation federation of Missouri through involvement, education and training of future leaders by providing selected high school and college students with networking skills, conservation education opportunities and full participation in policy making and the legislative process.

Vision 1: Young members of the Conservation Federation of Missouri who are dedicated to its cause and are being educated and trained to assume future leadership roles within the organization.

Vision 2: A cadre of involved, educated and trained young individuals committed to the conservation of Missouri’s abundant natural resources.

Vision 3: A group of well-educated and trained professionals who are committed to working in the field of natural resources management in Missouri.

Please nominate a Missouri high school junior through college senior student that has exhibited excellent academic achievement, conservation honors, and conservation leadership.

City: ______________________________

Student Name: ______________________________________________________

Telephone Number: _________________________________________________

Street or PO Box: ___________________________________________________

What qualities does the nominee exhibit to make him/her an excellent candidate for Conservation Leadership Corps?

City: ______________________________

ZIP Code: ___________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________________

ZIP Code: ___________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Present School: _____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Return this form by October 5, 2007, to: Nominator: ________________________________________________________ Affiliate or Sustaining Member: ________________________________________ Street or PO Box: ___________________________________________________

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David Murphy, Executive Director Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101-1534

WORKING TOGETHER

Missouri Wilderness—Completing a Conservation Legacy he Conservation Federation has always supported a broad range of multiple uses on the public lands of Missouri. The Federation recognizes that there is room in our state for a variety of land management approaches to meet a variety of needs. At one end of the multiple use spectrum protection of natural areas and wilderness areas is now broadly recognized as beneficial, and the Federation has been a leading voice on both these programs for many years. In fact, after Congress passed the National Wilderness Preservation Act in 1964, the Federation was the first group, in 1969, to endorse the designation of such areas on the federal lands of Missouri. CFM was also a leader in the campaigns of the 1970s and early ’80s to secure legislation to designate the eight wilderness areas we now enjoy on the Mark Twain National Forest, such as the legendary Irish Wilderness, and on the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. The campaigns for these areas have always been reasonable in approach, and as a result the credibility of the wilderness movement in Missouri has been strong.

The Federation has affiliated itself with the informal but vigorous alliance of organizations known as the Missouri Wilderness Coalition. At the spring con-

MISSOURI WILDERNESS COALITION

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Lower Rock Creek Proposed Wilderness Area.

ference this past March, the Coalition brought up some long-unfinished business regarding seven very special areas on the Mark Twain Forest. These seven areas had been identified for their wilderness values at least as far back as 1978, and have been more or less protected by the Forest Service for many years; but they are now in jeopardy due to some changes in the new Forest Plan for the Mark Twain. The conservation consensus now is that they should be designated as Wilderness Areas, with all the protective status of the Wilderness

Act. With this in mind, a firm resolution endorsing the full and permanent protection of these seven areas passed in the Parks Committee, the Resolution Committee, and on the Convention floor.

You may know one or several of these important and beautiful wildlands: Big Spring in Carter County (this area also includes some National Park Service lands); Lower Rock Creek in Iron and Madison Counties; North Fork in Ozark, Douglas, and Howell Counties; Smith Creek in Boone and Callaway Counties; Spring Creek in Douglas and Howell Counties; Swan Creek in Christian County; and Van East Mountain in Iron and Madison Counties. All seven areas total less than 50,000 acres, and even when added to the existing Wilderness on the Mark Twain still compose less than 7.5% of the Forest. This is a realistic and moderate agenda.

Every one of these wildland remnants is now open to hunting and fishing, along with horseback riding, primitive camping, trapping, and hiking; the Wilderness designation will protect these uses and ensure that the areas remain quality destinations offering a walk-in or ride-in experience for those sportsmen who seek such opportunity.

They have proven to be especially popular with turkey hunters.

The Federation supports wholeheartedly the Coalition’s proposal and has been working with a broad range of groups as part of this effort. Every Federation member and affiliate is encouraged to get behind the project. Success can only be achieved if the Missouri Congressional delegation takes united action, and they will need our encouragement to do that. Letting your senators and congressperson know that you support the Coalition’s proposal is especially useful.

The Wilderness Coalition has a wealth of information that can be provided upon request, and much of it can be accessed directly through the Coalition website (mowild.org). We are willing to travel anywhere in the state to talk to groups. The campaign needs support, and operates on a shoestring, but the cause is great, and there is a lot of enthusiasm for it. We hope that many of you will want to help. You'll be very welcome! Contact us at: Missouri Wilderness Coalition P.O. Box 377 Boss, MO 65440 (573) 626-1021 scottm@mowild.org www.mowild.org John Karel and Scott Merritt Missouri Wilderness Coalition

Conserve Life: SLOW DOWN More than 1,100 people die on Missouri highways each year. Don’t become a statistic.

BUCKLE UP

POWoods Box 133 4509 Road Gray Summit, MO 63072 63039 Robertsville, e-mail: hmeier@onemain.com Visit our website: www.missouribowhunters.org SOUTH COUNTY ARCHERS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT CFM & MBH

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Conservation Foundation Names New Executive Director Leadership Position Caps Career of Lifetime Conservationist he Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation has selected Rick Thom of Jefferson City to serve as its Executive Director.

Thom, who recently retired after 28 years with the Conservation Department, brings to the foundation a wealth of conservation experience and expertise. His resume includes serving as administrator of the former Natural History Division and, most recently, as the Department’s Wildlife Diversity Chief.

During his career, he has been professionally and personally affiliated with numerous conservation partner organizations, including The Wildlife Society, the Missouri Prairie Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, the Natural Areas Association and the Conservation Federation of Missouri, which named him “Professional Conservationist of the Year� in 2000. “I am excited to be working on conservation projects and activities for the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation,� Thom said.“The foundation has strong leadership in its board of directors, and a long list of successes helping Missourians learn about, conserve and enjoy our forest, fish and wildlife resources. I am glad to be on the team.�

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Rick Thom

Are you an artist interested in displaying your art for sale at the Third Annual Missouri Wildlife Art Festival?

Please contact Dan Brueggeman at 573-498-3479 or Bp8studio@aol.com for more information.

A special thanks to all who volunteered their time and resources to make the 40th Annual Operation Clean Stream a success this past August!

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tax advantages.

The foundation, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in September, has obtained nearly $10 million dollars for conservation programs and activities in Missouri. Its larger efforts include raising $3.5 million for the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center in Kansas City, $3.1 million for the Stream Stewardship Trust Fund and more than $1 million for the Howard and Joyce Wood Education and Visitor Center at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in St. Louis.

To contact Rick Thom, email him at mchf@MoCHF.org or call 800-227-1488, ext. 3193 or 573-634-2080, ext. 3193. For more information about the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, go to www.MoCHF.org.

The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation was formed in 1997 to work with conservation donors and partners to raise and efficiently deliver support for conservation projects and activities in Missouri. The foundation’s efforts augment the Missouri Department of Conservation’s ongoing management of the state’s fish, forest and wildlife resources for public benefit and use.

MCHF President Jan Phillips of St.

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Louis said Thom will make an excellent addition to the foundation.“His natural history knowledge and his connections to conservation at both the state and federal level can’t help but improve the good work we do in preserving wetlands, increasing green areas and furthering conservation education,� she said.

Thom will work closely with the foundation’s board of directors, comprised of business and community leaders, to develop more partnerships with conservation organizations and active conservationists. He said he hopes to raise awareness among Missouri citizens of ways, such as purchasing conservation license plates, through which they can tie their conservation donations to specific projects or activities, as well as gain additional

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CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Saline County Official Named To Conservation Commission ecky L. Plattner of Grand Pass is the Gov. Matt Blunt’s most recent appointment to the Missouri Conservation Commission. Conservation Department Director John Hoskins said Plattner’s agribusiness experience and interest in fostering the next generation of farmers make her an excellent addition to the body that sets Missouri conservation policy.

Plattner, 49, is the financial manager for Becky L. Plattner Plattner Brothers LLC Custom Farming. She also is Saline County Presiding Commissioner, which makes her the county’s top financial officer.

“Mrs. Plattner’s business experience will be most welcome in managing the MDC

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Conservation Department’s finances,” said Hoskins.“We have to be careful and wise stewards of all the resources the people of Missouri entrust to us, and that includes money.”

Plattner’s previous civic involvements have included service as the Grand Pass City Clerk, a consultant to the Grand Pass Special Road District and Grand Pass Pump Levy District and a volunteer for the Saline County Lighthouse Shelter. She said she considers her work with the FFA among the most important things she has done in more than 25 years of volunteering. She hopes her tenure on the Conservation Commission will enable her to build on existing cooperation between the conservation and agriculture communities, including the FFA. “The educational aspect is very important,” she said.“I believe it is our job to make sure they understand how important conservation is to every county in the state. Every county has a different contri-

bution to make, and we have to reach out to everyone. We need to pass on knowledge and values to our kids.”

Hoskins said partnerships with farmers and ranchers are critical to making conservation work, and Plattner can play an important role in promoting such cooperation.

“A commissioner who has managed a farming operation, who is in touch with how local governments work and who understands the benefits of programs like the Conservation Reserve Program is a tremendous asset. Her commitment to the FFA also fits perfectly with the agency’s goal of fostering the next generation of conservationists.”

Raised in rural community, Plattner caught catfish from ponds as a child, did a little hunting as a youth and took a lively interest in nature.

“Like a lot of farm kids, I adopted hurt animals and raised them until I could release them back to the wild,” said Plat-

tner.“Working, being a mother to two girls and my volunteer commitments haven’t left much time for outdoor activities in recent years, but I still love the outdoors.”

Still, she said she has “a bunch of bird feeders in my yard,” and she enjoys relaxing as she watches the goldfinches, hummingbirds and indigo buntings that visit.

“I take a lot of pride in landscaping our yard, and I love to walk the trail behind our house.”

Plattner is the great niece, by marriage, of the late Harry A. Plattner, who served as the fourth president of the Conservation Federation of Missouri from 1940 to 1942. An ardent quail hunter, the Malta Bend resident was honored as one of Missouri’s first Master Conservationists by the Conservation Department and also was named a Master Farmer for his pioneering work in soil conservation and scientific crop seed development.

Citizen Conservation Leader Joins MDC Commission estus businessman Don Johnson is Gov. Matt Blunt’s latest appointee to the Missouri Conservation Commission. In announcing the appointment, Gov. Blunt emphasized Johnson’s commitment to public service and to the next generation of Missourians.

Johnson, 60, an enthusiastic hunter and angler, is past president of the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM).

Don Johnson In addition to serving as CFM’s president, he has held the posts of second and first vice president, has chaired the Ways and Means and Executive committees and has served on the waterways, deer, turkey and ruffed grouse resource committees. He also is a member of the National Wildlife Federation and the National Rifle Association and is active in archery education. He helped launch Missouri’s Archery in the Schools Program.

“I got involved in the National Archery in the Schools Program because

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it not only helps young people learn about archery, it also helps them reconnect with school and with society,” said Johnson. “Youngsters who may be about to drop out of school and get started in that program find they can succeed at archery. Almost anybody can if they try, and once they have that success, it leads to other success, and we have been able to get people to move on to other things and not only graduate from high schools but to earn college scholarships.”

Johnson traces his interest in the outdoors to fishing trips with his father starting at the age of 3. He and his wife, Nancy, live in Jefferson County, where they manage their land to enhance fish and wildlife.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He served as a pilot in the United States Air Force, flying 130 combat missions in Vietnam and earning four Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

His civilian career has focused on human resources and workplace environmental control. He currently is Human Resources Vice President for Cequel III Communications headquartered in St. Louis. Asked if he has any

First of all I would like to thank all of the members of the Conservation Federation of Missouri for all the support given to me through my years of serving as your president. I intend to be a member of CFM and to support the ideas put forth through the years.

It is an honor to be named a commissioner of the Missouri Department of Conservation. I look forward to working in the future with all my friends in conservation throughout the state.

Our goal will always remain to protect and provide resources for our future generations to enjoy here in Missouri.

Don Johnson Past President, CFM

special goals for his tenure on the Conservation Commission, Johnson said, “More than anything, I would like to make sure the agency is relevant to the citizens of Missouri and that we serve people.”

Conservation Department Director John Hoskins praised Johnson for his past service to conservation and for his new commitment to guiding the state’s

conservation programs. He said citizen activists like Johnson have laid the foundations for all Missouri’s conservation achievements.

“His passion for hunting and fishing give him a strong personal stake in the outdoors that has led him to devote thousands of hours of time and immense personal energy to conservation. On top of this, he has tremendous business experience that will help ensure our Department of Conservation remains one of the best in the nation,” said Hoskins.

CFM Executive Director David Murphy said Johnson’s appointment is “great news for Missouri forests, fish and wildlife.” He said the appointee is a passionate conservationist, an avid sportsman and a team-builder.

“Mr. Johnson has a proven commitment to conservation and the full range of recreation activities our state’s natural resources support,” said Murphy.

The CFM is Missouri’s oldest and largest citizen conservation group, with 80,000 members and 80 affiliated conservation and sporting groups. Its efforts brought the Conservation Department into existence in 1936 and secured a dedicated one-eighth of 1 percent sales tax for the agency in 1976.

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CFM Takes Leadership Role in Building Missouri’s Teaming With Wildlife Coalition eaming With Wildlife is a nationwide effort to increase funding for forest, fish and wildlife conservation and related education and recreation. First organized in the 1990s, this coalition of businesses and organizations helped pass legislation for states to receive State Wildlife Grants, bringing over $8.5 million to Missouri since 2001.

CFM has long taken a leadership role in Missouri's Teaming With Wildlife Coalition. With funding from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, CFM has hired Amy Buechler to serve as Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator. Amy will work to grow and strengthen Missouri's Teaming With Wildlife Coalition with the guidance of a five-member Steering Committee. Steering Committee members include Dave Murphy (CFM), Gene Gardner (Missouri Department of Conservation), Steve Mahfood (The Nature Conservancy–Missouri Chapter), Justin Johnson (Missouri Prairie Foundation) and Bruce Carr (Audubon Missouri).

Why the sudden renewal of Teaming With Wildlife efforts in Missouri? Every state in the nation has recently completed a Wildlife Action Plan. In Missouri, it's referred to as our Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy. These Strategies lay out actions and goals to conserve all wildlife in our states. Now that we have the Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy in place, it will take new partnerships and funding sources to fully implement these important actions.

For more information about Missouri's Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/protecting.htm.

Over the past year, Missouri's coalition has grown to 160 organizations and businesses. The Teaming With Wildlife Steering Committee hopes to see this number grow even more. There is an opportunity for every conservation supportive organization and business to sign on and get involved—there is no membership fee to join. Amy is also working on an Internetbased communications tool that will be used to improve our ability to share news and information with the citizen conservationist community. Our objective is to empower Teaming With Wildlife members to respond in a timely and wellinformed fashion to any and all conservation issues as they arise.

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Please encourage your organization or business to endorse the Teaming With Wildlife Coalition. Visit www.confedmo.org/TeamingWithWildlife.html to view the complete Missouri Coalition list and to learn more.

All you have to do is fill out an endorsement form to become a part of this exciting network of other conservation-minded folks.

Organizations and businesses that have joined Missouri’s Teaming With Wildlife Coalition within the past year:

STATEMENT OF ENDORSEMENT

• Aquaest Retreat • Audubon Missouri • Castor River Pack Rats • Columbia Audubon Society • Conservation Foundation Charitable Trust • Double Dye Farms • Eastwood Kennel • Flower and Garden Design • Ft. Zumwalt West High School Stream Team • Friends of Big Muddy • Friends of LaBarque Creek • Friends of Lakeside Nature Center • Good Samaritan Boys Ranch • Greenway Network, Inc. • Junior Academy of Science • Kansas City Wildlands • Kickapoo High School Environmental Club • Lambert Field Rod and Gun Club • Leisure Ponds • Little Blue River Watershed Coalition • M.A.K.O. Fly Fishermen • Missouri River Communities Network • Missouri Smallmouth Alliance • National Wild Turkey Federation (George Clark Missouri State Chapter) • Outdoor Adventure Club • Ozark Fly Fishers • Pierce City FFA Chapter • Pierce City Sportsmans Club • Platte Land Trust • Pot O’ Gold Stream Team • Quail Forever (Ozarks Plateau Chapter) • Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers • Stream Team # 1313 • Stream Team # 192 • Stream Team # 1987 • Stream Team # 2082 • Stream Team # 2102 • Stream Team # 248 • Stream Team # 2517 • Stream Team # 2542 • Stream Team # 2753 • Stream Team # 2863 • Stream Team # 2866 • Stream Team # 2990 • Stream Team # 3003 • Stream Team # 3046 • Stream Team # 387 • Stream Team # 642 • Stream Team # 76 • Stream Team # 882 • The Green Center • The North Moreau Watershed Keepers • The Ozark Society (Mississippi Valley Chapter) • Tumbling Creek Cave Foundation • Vaughan Pools, Inc. • West Jr. High School S.A.V.E. Club • Wild Birds for the 21st Century

On behalf of _______________________________ , I hereby endorse Teaming with Wildlife. Our group is/I am delighted to join the National Coalition and support funding dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation, outdoor recreation and conservation education in every state. Teaming with Wildlife is our natural investment in a future teaming with wildlife!

Signed: __________________________________ Date: _____/_____/_______ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please Print: ❑ Organization or ❑ Business or ❑ Individual Signer’s Name:________________Address: _______________________________ City:________________________________State:________ZIP: _____________ Phone:___________________________Fax:_____________________________ Email:_______________________Website: ______________________________ How many members and/or employees does your organization/business represent? ______ My/my organization's outdoor interests include: ❑ Hunting ❑ Fishing ❑ Hiking ❑ Bird watching ❑ Education ❑ Volunteering ❑ Habitat Restoration ❑ Camping ❑ Forestry ❑ Canoeing ❑ Nature photography ❑ Other__________________________________________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please mail to the Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri Holiday Wreath Our 2007 Deluxe Wreath—An imported velvet burgundy bow surrounded by embossed leaves highlights a shiny country look in the 2007 deluxe wreath designed exclusively for CFM members.

Berries of burgundy and gold embossed in a shimmering material catch the sunlight with gold accents setting off the pine cones and burgundy leaves.

Look for the deluxe and basic wreaths in the November/December issue of Missouri Wildlife. Plan now to give the best during the holidays! Order forms will be coming in November.

AGENCY NEWS

Aging Wetlands Create New Opportunities etland conservation is a key concept in Missouri as more than 87 percent of our historic wetlands disappeared over time. Wetlands filter pollutants and improve water quality, and they support a diverse population of fish, wildlife and plants with high economic and social value. Many threatened and endangered species are also dependent on wetlands.

Today, wetlands have added value because they provide recreation for millions of people through hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife viewing. The Department currently manages more than 112,000 acres of diverse wetland habitats throughout the state, but some important areas are over 50 years old. The time has come for us to plan for the future of our wetlands, a special review we call our Golden Anniversary Wetland Initiative.

In 1947, wetland managers began restoring wetlands the only way they knew how, through engineering. Low areas that were formerly wetlands were excavated so they would hold more water.

Levees were built, not to keep water out, but to hold water in. Water control structures (valves, screw gates, culverts, etc.) were built so managers could manipulate water levels. Where natural flooding was lacking, pumps were installed to ensure water supplies. These wetland areas had a dual purpose that included providing waterfowl hunting opportunities.

Aging affects us all, and wetlands are no different. The original man-made structures (levees, pipes, water control gates, etc.) installed 50 years ago outlived their life expectancy. Basic engineering, design and construction technology have vastly improved and we know far more about the science of wetland ecology and management today. Clearly, wetland construction now takes a different form based on our current knowledge and experiences.

The Golden Anniversary Wetland Initiative is the Department’s top priority for wetland-directed capital improvements.

A considerable amount of planning and funding will be dedicated to restorations, ensuring that the five oldest MDC wetland areas will be around for at least another 50 years.

Fountain Grove Conservation Area in Linn and Livingston counties was the first wetland/waterfowl area developed starting in 1947 and now consists of 7,145

W The health of America’s private forests depends on you

American Tree Farm System ÂŽ promotes the sustainable management of forests through education and outreach to family forest landowners. For information about how you can become a part of the Tree Farm program contact the Missouri State Tree Farm Committee @ 573-634-3252 or visit www.treefarmsystem.org

acres. Damage from floods and aging water control structures now require immediate attention. Some restoration work is already underway, but more work will be needed.

Ted Shanks Conservation Area, in Pike County, contains 3,827 acres of state land acquired in 1954 with an additional 2,878 acres managed cooperatively by the state and federal government. Today, an elevated water table, due to a nearby lock and dam, combined with major floods, has killed most of the bottomland forests on the area. As a result, the wetlands are being invaded by exotic reed canary grass.

Duck Creek Conservation Area, purchased in 1950 to provide hunting opportunities in southeast Missouri, encompasses 6,234 acres. Duck Creek may be the most technically challenging of the Golden Anniversary projects. Wetland managers struggle to find a balance between providing a premier fishing lake and providing shallow water levels to accommodate thousands of migrating waterfowl and public hunting.

The 3,600-acre Montrose Conservation Area in Henry County centers on a 1600-acre lake that provides cooling water for an electrical generation plant.

The Department began managing the area in 1956 as a fishing area, but later as a waterfowl/wetland area. Over time, several small auxiliary wetland units were developed around the margins of the lake. Some of these now contain over 15 feet of silt, creating serious management challenges and limiting public use.

Much of the 8,633-acre Schell-Osage Conservation Area was initially purchased in 1957. In wetter years, management of the Schell-Osage wetlands is complicated by floodwaters from the Harry S. Truman Reservoir that was completed in 1979. Without major renovation, wetland management capabilities will continue to be compromised.

Wetland ecologists and managers are working with our conservation partners, such as Ducks Unlimited, and other public supporters to guide renovation and management efforts. It is our desire to complete this worthy initiative by 2015 to ensure future generations of people and wildlife populations benefit from these important areas.

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2007 Annual Fall Conference Conservation Federation of Missouri September 14-16, 2007 Advance Registration Form Return completed form to CFM by September 7, 2007 Name of Each Participant

Complete Mailing Address

Total Enclosed

Phone No.

Cost *

$

Please list the names and ages of all children ages 4–12 (cost is only $50 for those ages 4–12): NOTE: Camp facilities are not set up for children under the age of 4.

1. ___________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________

If you plan to stay at a location OTHER than the barracks at Camp Clover Point, please circle one of the following: 1. A state campground

2. Local motel

3. Home

4. Other _____________________________________________

* Total advance registration is $75 per person or $145 per couple. (Children ages 4–12 pay $50 for the weekend.) The day rate is $10 per day and $10 per meal. If you do not plan to stay for the duration of the conference, please indicate the day(s) and meal(s) at which you will be present.

Registrations received after September 7 will be $85 per person or $165 per couple .

Please make your check payable to CFM and mail it to 728 West Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

You may also pay by credit card. Credit Card # _______________________________ Exp. Date _________ Signature of cardholder_____________________________________________

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Honorariums and memorials are donations made to the Conservation Federation of Missouri to mark special occasions or show tribute to someone you care about. They are a thoughtful way to mark an occasion or to show respect to friends and loved ones who have passed away. In future issues of Missouri Wildlife we will list honorariums and memorials in this area.

To make such a gift, please fill out this form and mail it to CFM. We gladly accept cash, check or credit card.

A Gift To CFM Your gift to the Conservation Federation of Missouri could help in so many ways. You could benefit our Share the Harvest Program, the Conservation Leadership Corps, our publications or website, our building fund or help fund our day-to-day operations. You could also honor loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries or other special events.

❑ $25

❑ $50

❑ $100

❑ $250

❑ $500

❑ Other ________

In memory of ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ In honor of

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please notify (name, street, city, state, and zip) ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DONOR INFO: Name

❑ I would like more information about including the Conservation Federation of Missouri in my will or trust.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street

City

State

ZIP

Phone ____________________________________________Email __________________________________________________________

Credit card number

____________________________________________________Expiration date ______________________________

Mail this form and payment to:

Conservation Federation of Missouri • 728 West Main Street • Jefferson City, MO 65101

CONSERVATION FEDERATION OF MISSOURI AFFILIATES Anglers of Missouri Archery Big Bucks of Missouri Big Game Hunters Bridlespur Hunt Club Capital City Fly Fishers Central Missouri Chapter Safari Club Coldwater Outing & Game Preserve Eastern MO Chapter Pheasants Forever Festus/Crystal City Conservation Club Forest Releaf of Missouri Franklin County Wildlife Club Friends of Rockbridge Memorial State Park Greenway Network Heaven’s Anglers Jefferson County Coonhunters Kansas City Chapter Safari Club Kansas City Woodcarvers Lambert Field Rod & Gun Club Mark Twain Area Quail Unlimited

Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited Midwest Diving Council Mississippi County Conservation Society Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Mississippi Valley Gun Club Missouri Association of Meat Processors Missouri Bass Federation Missouri Bow Hunters Missouri Conservation Agents Association Missouri Consulting Foresters Association Missouri Department of Agriculture Missouri Ducks Unlimited State Council Missouri Forest Products Association Missouri Parks & Recreation Association Missouri Parks Association Missouri Prairie Foundation Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Missouri Sport Shooting Association Missouri State Campers Association

Missouri State Council Quail Unlimited Missouri Taxidermist Association Missouri Trappers Association Missouri Trout Fisherman’s Association Missouri Waterfowl Association Missouri Whitetails Unlimited Missouri Wild Turkey Federation Missourians Outdoors MO Chapter American Fisheries Society MO Chapter of the Wildlife Society MO Chapter Soil & Water Conservation MO Hunter Education Instructor’s Association MO State University Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society Monett Sportsman League Northeast Missouri Coonhunters Northside Conservation Federation Open Space Council Owensville HS Hunting & Fishing Club

Ozark Fly Fishers Ozark Mountain Paddlers Ozark Wilderness Waterways Perry County Sportsman Club Pomme De Terre Chapter Muskies River Relief, Inc. Saint James Civic Club Show-Me Clean Streams Show-Me Missouri Back Country Horsemen South Side Division Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers Tipton Farmers & Sportsman Club United Bow Hunters of Missouri Wecomo Sportsman Club Wild Elk Institute of Missouri Windsor Lake Rod & Gun Club

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CALENDAR MISSOURI FESTIVALS AND AFFILIATE EVENTS

AFFILIATE EVENTS CAPITAL CITY FLY FISHERS SEP: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) SEP 11: Club Meeting, Runge Nature Center, Jefferson City (7:00pm) SEP 14-16: Montauk Trout Outing, Montauk State Park SEP 20: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) SEP 26: Hooked On Fly Fishing Not Drugs, South Callaway R-II Middle School, Mokane (3:00pm) SEP 29: Old Munichberg’s Oktoberfest SEP 30: National Hunting and Fishing Day OCT 4: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) OCT 4-6: FFF Southern Council Conclave, Mountain Home, Arkansas OCT 9: Club Meeting, Runge Nature Center, Jefferson City (7:00pm) OCT 18: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) OCT 31: Hooked on Fly Fishing Not Drugs, South Callaway R-II Middle School, Mokane (3:00pm) MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUCK HUNTERS ASSOCIATION SEP 11: Speaker – Charles Deutsch with the Saint Louis Corp of Engineers OCT 10: Speakers – Dave Grabber and Andy Radeke with the Missouri Department of Conservation; Tony Wolf (636) 441-3793 MISSOURI ASSOCIATION OF MEAT PROCESSORS SEP 7-9: Fall Bus Tour and Golf; MAMP (417) 237-0410 MISSOURI BASS FEDERATION SEP 8: Casting Kids State Championship, Bass Pro Shops, Columbia (2:00pm) SEP 8: Federation Directors Meeting, Days Inn Hotel, Columbia OCT 26-28: Missouri State Championship, Lake Ozarks MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITED SEP 15: Lewis and Clark Dinner, Finnigan’s, North Kansas City; Eric Rose (816) 935-9059 SEP 20: Saint Louis Banquet, Saint Louis Zoo – Lakeside Café, Saint Louis; Hunter

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Brown (314) 479-5883 SEP 22: Old Monroe Kids Duck Call Contest and Family Picnic, Knights of Columbus Hall, Old Monroe; Nancy Hamilton (314) 575-8588 SEP 22: Parkville Dinner, Parkville; Bill Mundy (816) 741-4414 SEP 22: Swamp East Chapter Dinner, Sikeston; Larry Eby (573) 380-6418 SEP 29: Saint Charles Dinner, Saint Peters Parish Hall, Saint Charles; Dunstan Disselhorst (636) 699-9869 SEP 29: Gateway Greenheads Banquet, Greek Orthodox Church; Brian Long (314) 336-0888 SEP 29: Grand River Fall Dinner, Elks Lodge, Chillicothe; Scott Englert (660) 646-0740 OCT 6: Callaway County Shrimp Boil, Saint Peters Parish Hall, Fulton; Bruce Carpenter or Chuck Baker (573) 642-9513 OCT 6: Neosho Sponsor Dinner; Collin Swift (417) 451-4313 OCT 11: Lake Ozarks Dinner, Osage National Golf Club, Lake Ozarks; Tony Reahr (573) 964-5712 OCT 12: Saint Joseph Sponsor Dinner; Chris Bennett (816) 261-2636 OCT 13: Mineral Area Chapter Banquet, Farmington; (314) 954-6794 OCT 13: Greenheads Chapter Banquet; Mark Reed (573) 568-4433 OCT 13: Mike “Big Guy” Keller Tribute Dinner, Platte County Fairgrounds; Bill Cox (816) 524-0987 OCT 17: Blackwater Texas Hold’em Tournament; Kevin Raines (660) 864-3499 OCT 18: Central Missouri Dinner, Holiday Inn Executive Center, Columbia; Aaron Brooks (573) 424-6947 OCT 19: Saint Joseph Dinner, American Legion Hall, Saint Joseph; Chris Weddle (816) 233-0201 OCT 20: Brookfield Dinner, Eagles Lodge, Brookfield; Jeff Hill (660) 258-2391 MISSOURI FOREST PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION SEP 22: Logging Competition, Doniphan OCT 12: Board Meeting, Tan-Tar-A (12:00pm – 5:00pm) OCT 12-14: Annual Meeting, Tan-Tar-A OCT 18: Tree Farm Committee Meeting, Jef-

ferson City (11:00am – 2:00pm) MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION FUNDRAISING BANQUETS SEP 15: Sugar Creek Gobblers, Pineville Christian Church, Pineville; Dan Fuller (417) 737-3076 SEP 22: Lewis County Stutters, Queen of Peace Parish, Ewing; Ronnie Richardson (660) 462-3640 SEP 22: Rhine Valley Chapter, Saint George Church, Hermann; Stanley Meyer (573) 294-6207 SEP 28: Little Dixie Longbeards, Lake Lenore Banquet Hall, Mexico; Bernard Doerge (573) 473-7009 OCT 5: Clay Howlett Memorial, VFW, Laquey; Michael Hartley (573) 774-5029 OCT 5: Gasconade River Gobblers, Belle/Bland Community Center, Belle; Daren Light (573) 859-3013 OCT 6: Bunt Cumbea Laclede County Chapter, Cowan Civic Center, Lebanon; Liz Mitchko (417) 533-5280 OCT 6: Clark County Longbeards, Clark County R-I Middle School Auditorium, Kahoka; Leonard Stutz (660) 866-2590 OCT 6: Finley River Chapter, The Dish, Ozark; Tim Harris (417) 581-7491 OCT 6: Rock Town Gobblers, VFW, Iberia; Randy Russell (573) 793-3118 OCT 13: Triple B Chapter – Buffalo Big Birds, Grace Community United Methodist Church, Buffalo; Alan Daniels (417) 345-6730 OCT 20: Carman Springs Longbeards, Willow Springs R-4 Elementary Cafeteria, Willow Springs; Terry Newton (417) 469-2881 OCT 20: Pike County Twin Rivers, Knights of Columbus Hall, Saint Clement; Tim Gamm (573) 324-2321 JAKES FIELD DAYS SEP 28-30: George C. Clark Missouri State Chapter, Hunter Apprentice School, Midway Farms; Charlene Stover (573) 4266331 or Rob Stover (573) 450-1577 WHEELIN SPORTSMEN BENEFITS SEP 9: Lake Show-me Longbeards, Downing; Michael Allen (660) 323-5531 SEP 15: A Day at the Fish’n Hole, Rolla; Bob Pellegrin (573) 364-7444 WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORS EVENTS OCT 13: Dutch Oven Cooking Weekend Retreat, Camp Gieger, Saint Joseph; Sherry Hill (816) 992-3650 OCT 20: Bird Hunt and Outdoor Skills, Tina Community Hall, Tina; Angela Shoultz (660) 534-7412

MISSOURI PARKS ASSOCIATION SEP 28-30: Annual Meeting, Arrow Rock State Park, Arrow Rock SEP 29: Prairie Promenade, Prairie State Park, Mindenmines MISSOURI PRAIRIE FOUNDATION SEP 29: Prairie Restoration Tour, Hawk Point OCT 13: Board Meeting, Runge Prairie, Kirksville MISSOURI SMALLMOUTH ALLIANCE SEP 22: Annual Spotted Bass Roundup and Fish Fry; Tim Maher (636) 798-2525 or Mike Shelby (314) 435-0795 MISSOURI TROUT FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION SEP 10: Start of Fly Tying and Rod Building Classes, Fleming Park Meeting Hall, Lake Jacomo; Dave Cook (816) 272-5194 SEP 28-30: Fall Derby, Roaring River OCT 5-7: FFF Southern Council Conclave OPEN SPACE COUNCIL SEP 20-22: Meramec River Basin Summit OZARK FLY FISHERS SEP 7-9: Club Outing, Eleven Point River OCT 4-6: FFF Southern Council Conclave, Mountain Home, Arkansas OZARK MOUNTAIN PADDLERS SEP 8: Swift Water Rescue Clinic, Dry Land Class; Dale Dortch (417) 496-7167 SEP 13: Monthly Meeting, Springfield Nature Center, Springfield (7:00pm – 9:00pm) SEP 15-16: Swift Water Rescue Clinic, On Water Session and Camp; Dale Dortch (417) 496-7167 OCT 11: Monthly Meeting, Springfield Nature Center, Springfield (7:00pm – 9:00pm) POMME DE TERRE CHAPTER MUSKIES SEP 14: Fall Board Meeting SEP 22: Guide for a Day, State Park Marina (7:30am – 4:00pm) SEP 22: Lake Meeting OCT 5-7: Fall Tournament, State Park Marina OCT 13-14: Best of Best Tournament, Green Bay, Wisconsin OCT 20: Guide for a Day, State Park Marina (7:30am – 4:00pm) OCT 22: Lake Meeting

CFM EVENTS SEP 14-16: CFM Fall Conference, Camp Clover Point – Lake Ozark State Park, Osage Beach FEB 22-24: CFM Annual Convention, Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark

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