Vol72 no1 2011

MISSOURI

Wildlife JANUARY 2011 VOL. 72, NO. 1

M A R I LY N N L A N G S T O N

Morning Mist

Overall winner of the photo workshop at the Sassmanns’ Prairie Star Restoration Farm,

by Marilynn Langston of Belle, MO. For more photos and details, check out the feature article inside this issue.

Inside This Issue:

MISSOURI

Wildlife

FEATURED ARTICLES Moving Outdoors In Nature Act ..........................................................6 Use Of Social Media To Advance Conservation ................................10 SNR Broadens ‘Outdoor Sports’ Definition ........................................11 CFM Convention Schedule And Registration Form ..........................14 Prairie Star Restoration Farm Hosts Photo Exhibit ............................16 Service Project Weekend ..................................................................18

NEWS, UPDATES AND COLUMNS View From The Stone House ..............................................................................2 President’s Message ............................................................................................3 Teaming With Wildlife CFM Sponsors Missouri River Hills Field Tour With Luetkemeyer Staffer ....4 A Strong Year For Teaming With Wildlife ........................................................5

January 2011 Vol. 72, No. 1 OFFICERS Mike Schallon President Duane Addleman 1st Vice President Richard Ash 2nd Vice President Sara Parker Pauley Secretary Randy Washburn Treasurer

STAFF Dave Murphy Executive Director/ Editor Matt Gaunt Director of Development Amy Buechler Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator Micaela Office Manager Haymaker Laurie Coleman Membership Associate/ Managing Editor Walter M. Eberz Design & Production

Development News CFM Conservationists For Life ........................................................................7 Book Review Comprehensive Guide Is Gardener’s Must-have ............................................13 Calendar ..............................................................................................................20

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

Agency News Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation To Help Fund MO Elk Project ................22 Appalachian Wildlife Foundation Pledges Support For MO Elk ..................23 Mountain Lion Sighting Verified In Platte County ......................................24 2010 A Busy Year For Parks And Historic Sites ............................................26 Gov. Nixon Selects Sara Parker Pauley As Director of DNR ........................28 Member Information List Of Affiliates ................................................................................................6 Business Alliance Members ............................................................................12 Conservationists For Life ................................................................................19 Honorariums And Memorials ........................................................................29 New Members ................................................................................................30

PHOTOS December At Little Osage Duck Club ............................................................8

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 ($25 minimum) $10.00 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: ERMINE—The Winter Weasel. ©2010 Glenn D. Chambers.

MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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VIEW FROM THE STONE HOUSE

My Friend’s Opinion while back, a good friend gave me a very personal gift: his candid opinion.

I certainly appreciate that every one of us has an opinion. In fact we each have many. But this particular opinion of my friend’s was shared by Theodore Roosevelt.

In my mind, such an opinion is worthy of serious consideration. Who knows, maybe it could change my own?

What began as the usual, casual, comfortable, endless, exciting discussion of all things related to natural resource conservation took a sharp turn toward my inner sanctum of personal acts.

Nothing like the laser beam of scrutiny only a very close friend can provide to get one to look into all the little nooks and crannies within the shadowy reaches beyond one’s own short-term memory!

My friend flatly admitted that he never accepts free landowner permits from the Missouri Department of Conservation, and asked me if I did. At the time I did. I do not now. To understand his opinion, let’s return for a moment to Theodore Roosevelt.

My friend’s accurate assertion is that we live in North America, not in the Old World. Here wildlife is held in the public trust. That means that wildlife belong to all of us, not solely to the landowner. In the Old World, a landowner may buy or sell any or all wildlife collected on their property as they see fit.

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Here, for over 100 years, this has not been the case.

Have a look at our inside back cover this issue. The North American Model of Conservation has proven over and over again to be the best, the most successful, the fairest, the most enduring and the most effective model for natural resource governance in the history of our world. We, as Americans, should take incredible pride in our invention and ownership of this model. No less an authority than the Canadian visionary, Shane Mahoney, has made a clear and compelling case for the North American Model being at least as great a legacy to the rest of the world as our American form of democratic republic.

From the days of the organization of the Boone & Crockett Club to this very day, this model, our model, has served us all, arguably as well as our constitution. The wildlife belongs to all of us. Each of us is entitled to the benefits of ownership, and each of us shares in the responsibility of ownership as well.

The real benefits of land

ownership in America, and they are many, include control over access to wildlife. For my friend and me, that is enough.

Of course from a larger scale perspective, that of state governance, there is another major reason for each of us who can to consider not accepting free permits. It would mean a lot more money for securing the well being of our forests, fish and wildlife.

Now before we go there, before we listen to distraction to those who sing the siren song of “conservation already has too much money” or whatever the nay-sayers may be saying at the moment, read on! In 1937, the first year for the Missouri Department of Conservation, which we the people organized, the entire budget of MDC, as a fraction of the entire Missouri state budget for 1937, if one does the math, was 0.8% (that is eight tenths of one per cent).

In 2009, including the additional revenues of the Design for Conservation Sales Tax and federal excise tax dollars this exact same sum was barely 0.7% (that is seven tenths of one per cent. The additional funding mechanisms we have added over the years are not even keeping us, percentage wise, at the same funding level we had when only permits paid all the bills.

How should we prepare for the certainty that costs will only go up in the future? Will less than 1% of what we invest as a society in our overall governance be enough to provide

for forests, fish and wildlife in the future? Not likely. Will we, as Missourians, need to find new ways to meet these intensifying demands on our land as we have more and more people? Very likely. What can I do as an individual to help? This, to me, is the real question.

Which brings us back to our discussion of free permits.

Because we have the Design for Conservation Sales Tax in Missouri, we have a tradition of many types of free permits for landowners, seniors over 65 and youth. That is great! It enhances recruitment of new participants, which is essential. In fact, many landowners, seniors and juniors voluntarily buy permits already.

The best numbers I have found suggest that as many as 20% of the folks entitled to free permits are buying permits of their own volition.

That still leaves a sizeable majority, well over 100,000 individuals, in our state not purchasing permits. Certainly there is a significant amount of potential revenue unrealized as a consequence. But the big consequence, the one which my friend is particularly opinionated about, is that we do not get our fair share of federal excise tax dollars, either.

The Unites States Fish and Wildlife Service is tasked with redistributing excise tax dollars collected as a surcharge on purchases of firearms, ammunition, fishing tackle, archery equipment and some other See Stone House on next page

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

2010 A Great Year For Conservation appy New Year CFM Members! By the time you read this, 2010 will be coming to a close and we’ll be preparing for 2011 and the challenges that we’ll encounter in the new year.

How did CFM and conservation fare in 2010?

With support from Governor Jay Nixon, tax credits from the Department of Economic Development and donations from Missouri Food Bank Association, Share the Harvest was well funded this year. Whole deer donations were also up with the potential of more donations still to come.

The number of CFM Life Memberships continues to increase.

The Missouri Legislature passed no laws in 2010 that would be detrimental to conservation efforts.

The Sportsman’s Caucus with the Missouri Legislature reported strong membership numbers and also sponsored a variety of successful activities. We look forward to the possibilities for 2011.

CFM’s Conservation Leadership Corp continues to be a major force. Their

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youthful energy and enthusiasm is contagious! These young people will be our conservation voice in the years ahead.

The Department of Economic Development tax credits helped make it possible to work with our friends within the State Parks system to develop and fund the State Park Youth Corps. This program allowed young workers to address much needed State Park maintenance work that had been on hold due to budget constraints in recent years.

A big “thank you” to the great folks at Bass Pro Shops who matched funds CFM raised to provide small grants for Teaming With Wildlife and various CFM affiliates.

CFM celebrated our 75th anniversary in September. We should be very proud as our organization has done a lot on behalf of conservation since its inception and will continue to support sound wildlife management and conservation efforts.

In closing, I think you will agree that

CFM and conservation had a great 2010.

As your CFM president, I want to thank you for all your past support and continued support. You help to make everything we do, possible.

I hope you had a great holiday season and wish you and yours only the best in 2011.

Yours in conservation, —Mike Schallon President, CFM

Stone House from previous page types of sporting goods. The dollars are collected by the feds and returned to each state on the basis of the number of permits they sell and the geographic size of the state.

Because of all the exemptions we have in Missouri, we are being shorted millions of dollars each year that, in my opinion, rightfully belong to us. My best math suggests that for each additional permit buyer we report, we would receive another $17 each year from the feds. Let me empha-

size an important point: To be counted, each permit must be a paid permit.

Hey, I am not suggesting that MDC ought to do away with free permits. Nor am I suggesting that anyone ought to feel in the least obligated to buy permits, if they are not currently required to do so.

My point is that the simple act of paying for your permits is very important. You should know that buying your permit helps solve the problem of meeting the needs of conserva-

tion — both directly and indirectly — because it also triggers a payment from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to MDC. Simple enough to do, but powerful in its impact! As a permit buyer, as always, the future of conservation is in your hands. For less than the price of a month’s worth of television, for less than the price of lunch at most places here in the Capitol City, for a lot less than the price of a tank of gas, you can make a difference.

Thanks for reading along!

Thanks for being a member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. You and your participation are very important. Come to convention at The Lodge of Four Seasons the last weekend in February and jump right in! Theodore Roosevelt and untold ranks of other great citizen-conservationists who have gone on before us will be smiling down on you when you do.

—Dave Murphy Executive Director, CFM

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TEAMING WITH WILDLIFE

CFM Sponsors Missouri River Hills Field Tour with Luetkemeyer’s Deputy District Director rivate landowners and conservation partners gathered in the Missouri River Hills COA on November 8, 2010 to share on-the-ground conservation success with Congressman Luetkemeyer’s Deputy District Director, Dan Engemann. As part of the 10 year anniversary celebration of the State Wildlife Grant Program, the field tour highlighted this important federal funding source and how it has leveraged many more dollars for private and public land habitat restoration.

The Missouri River Hills Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) is the largest contiguous block of forested land north of the Missouri River.

Conservation partners, including the Ruffed Grouse Society, National Wild Turkey Federation, Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service and others have worked together for more than a decade to improve forests, woodlands and glades in the COA. Bill and Margie Haag, landowners within the COA, graciously opened up their property and extended their hospitality to host the meeting. The field tour portion of the meeting focused on forest, woodland, glade and grassland management they have implemented to improve wildlife habitat on their property, which benefits 4

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GENE GARDNER

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Above: Congressman Luetkemeyer’s Deputy District Director, Dan Engemann meets with members of the conservation community to tour the Missouri River Hills Conservation Opportunity Area.

their neighbors as well.

With funding made possible through the State Wildlife Grant Program, partners in the Missouri River Hills COA have leveraged many times the original amount of support to create a cost-share program for private landowners. With this program, landowners of high priority project sites can be reimbursed up to 90% of actual project costs. Landowners conduct approved management practices to promote young oak/hickory forest habitat on the landscape to benefit many species of

wildlife, including ruffed grouse, Northern bobwhite quail, American woodcock, Bell’s vireo, Bewick’s wren, brown thrasher, blue-winged warbler, Eastern towhee, field sparrow, great-crested flycatcher, prairie warbler, whiteeyed vireo, yellow-breasted chat, Indiana bat, flying squirrels and bobcat. To date, more than 75 landowners have completed woodland restoration projects on nearly 300,000 acres of land within the Missouri River Hills COA. Missouri citizens also benefit from these activities. As

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Right: Yale and Alicia Muhm donated a conservation easement of more than 1,000 acres to the Ozark Regional Land Trust. The Muhms were some of the private landowners who joined Engemann on the tour.

game and non-game wildlife populations of targeted species increase, greater recreational and viewing opportunities are available for citizens.

In addition, local forestry contractors are hired by landowners with the allotted funds to conduct these management activities, generating taxable See Field Tour on next page

TEAMING WITH WILDLIFE

A Strong Year For Teaming With Wildlife

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Missouri’s Teaming With Wildlife Coalition grew from 253 to 279 organizations and businesses – making Missouri the 5th largest TWW coalition in the nation.

Five Missouri TWW coalition members traveled to Washington, D.C. in February to meet with our congressional leaders (Amy Buechler, CFM; Gene Gardner, Missouri Department of Conservation; Rick Thom, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation; Carol Davit and Laura Church, Missouri Prairie Foundation).

Six Missouri Congress Members signed the “Dear Colleague” letter in support of State Wildlife Grant funding (Senator Bond, Senator McCaskill, Rep. Clay, Rep. Cleaver, and Rep. Skelton). Rep. Emerson supported the letter with a programmatic request. Not signing were Rep. Akin, Rep. Blunt, Rep. Graves and Rep. Luetkemeyer.

CFM co-sponsored a Statewide Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) Team Training with the Missouri Department of Conservation (February

2010). The training was well received with 35 participants from 12 agencies/organizations (including several private landowners).

CFM distributed the second round of Missouri Teaming With Wildlife Mini-Grants.

We awarded 10 minigrants, totaling $17,200 to help citizen conservation groups implement Missouri’s Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy.

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issouri’s Teaming With Wildlife (TWW) Coalition had another strong year.

Here are some highlights of what we were able to accomplish in 2010.

More than $17,000 was awarded in Missouri Teaming With Wildlife Mini-grants in 2010. The Upper White River Basin Foundation received a mini-grant to support the initiation of a new watershed group – the Bull Creek Association.

CFM hosted four congressional field tours to showcase State Wildlife Grant funded projects to our congressional leaders. Tours included hosting Congressman Graves’ staff at the Smithville Lake Grassland Revitalization Project, Congressman Skelton and his wife in the Cole Camp/Hi Lonesome COA, Congressman Carnahan’s staff in the LaBarque Creek Watershed COA, and Congressman Luetkemeyer’s staff in the Missouri River Hills COA. Field tours involved many conservation partners, landowners and private citizens who have benefited from State Wildlife Grant funding.

CFM developed new Missouri Teaming With Wildlife website (www.moteaming.org). Check it out for more information about these activities.

Thanks for your support of Missouri’s Teaming With Wildlife Coalition! If your organization or business is not yet a Teaming With Wildlife Coalition member (it’s free!), please join us by signing on at www.teaming.com/action.

—Amy Buechler Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator, CFM

Field Tour from previous page income at a local level.

The field tour group also included several private landowners who have placed conservation easements on their land. Yale and Alicia Muhm recently donated a conservation easement of more than 1,000 acres to the Ozark Regional Land Trust.

Conservation easements allow property owners to retain ownership and live on their land while placing certain permanent restrictions on the property. In this case, it guarantees that the Muhm’s land will never be subdivided or developed. As urban populations expand, conservation

easements are another tool to help conserve land and wildlife for future generations.

We were pleased to showcase this project to Dan and have him share this success story of a project in the 9th District with Congressman Luetkemeyer. We hope to see Congressman Luetkemeyer’s

signature on the State Wildlife Grants “Dear Colleague” letter next spring in support of funding that comes to Missouri for wildlife conservation!

—Amy Buechler Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator, CFM

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Moving Outdoors In Nature Act Supports Recreation, Health Initiatives ongressman Ron Kind (D-WI) recently introduced the Moving Outdoors in Nature Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill supports federal, state and local plans that help connect children with the natural world.

The Moving Outdoors in Nature Act will help get America’s kids healthy and active by bolstering support for more natural play areas, outdoor recreation programs, public health initiatives, outdoor learning environments, service learning and other initiatives. Visit beoutthere.org/MONA to learn more.

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“National Wildlife Federation commends Congressman Kind for introducing this legislation that will help combat obesity and improve overall health in the United States,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, NWF’s Director of Education Advocacy.

The Moving Outdoors in Nature Act (H.R. 6426) will achieve its goals by: • Directing President Obama to develop a federal strategy to connect children, youth and families with the outdoors; • Encouraging states to develop similar state-based strategies that incorporate public health, parks and recreation, transportation and other initiatives at the local level; and

• Supporting research documenting the health, conservation and other benefits of active time spent outdoors in the natural world.

The conditions are right for making lasting changes in the ways children and families relate to nature. In June 2010, first lady Michelle Obama unveiled “Let’s Move Outside!”, which expands upon the first lady’s campaign to solve childhood obesity within a generation by providing resources for families to get active in nature.

In addition, the Obama administration recently completed more than two dozen listening sessions nationwide as part of the president’s

America’s Great Outdoors initiative. The Moving Outdoors in Nature Act will complement this presidential initiative and could provide the framework for developing a broad-based strategy to reconnect children and their families to the outdoors.

The Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) supports the passage of this new bill. The positive momentum of legislation such as the Moving Outdoors in Nature Act helps further the movement to connect kids with nature and create more livable communities. Learn more about OAK at www.OutdoorsAllianceForKids.org —Amanda Cooke

CONSERVATION FEDERATION OF MISSOURI AFFILIATES Anglers of Missouri Big Game Hunters, Inc. Bridlespur Hunt Club Capitol City Fly Fishers Central Missouri Chapter Safari Club Chesterfield Citizens Committee for the Environment Coldwater Outing & Game Preserve Festus-Crystal City Conservation Club Gasconade County Youth Shooting Sports Greenway Network, Inc. Heaven’s Anglers Jefferson County Coonhunters, Inc. Lambert Field Rod & Gun Club Meramec Area Sportsman Association Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited Midwest Diving Council Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Missouri Association of Meat Processors Missouri Atlatl Association Missouri Bass Federation Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative Missouri Bow Hunters Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society 6

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Missouri Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society Missouri Conservation Agents Association Missouri Consulting Foresters Association Missouri Department of Agriculture Missouri Ducks Unlimited State Council Missouri Forest Products Association Missouri Hunter Education Instructors Association Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation Missouri National Wild Turkey Federation Missouri Native Seed Association Missouri Parks & Recreation Association Missouri Parks Association Missouri Prairie Foundation Missouri River Bird Observatory Missouri Ruffed Grouse Society Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Missouri Society of American Foresters Missouri Sport Shooting Association Missouri State Campers Association Missouri Taxidermist Association Missouri Trappers Association Missouri Trout Fisherman’s Association Missouri Whitetails Unlimited

Monett Sportsman League MU Student Chapter Wildlife Society North Side Division Conservation Federation Open Space Council Ozark Fly Fishers Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club Perry County Sportsman Club Pomme de Terre Chapter Muskies, Inc. Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever River Relief, Inc. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Saint James Civic Club Saint Louis Audubon Society South Side Division Conservation Federation Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers Tipton Farmers & Sportsman Club United Bow Hunters of Missouri Walnut Council & Other Fine Hardwoods Wecomo Sportsman Club Wild Elk Institute of Missouri Wildlife Society of Missouri State University Windsor Lake Rod & Gun Club Wonders of Wildlife

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

CFM Conservationists For Life n each issue of Missouri Wildlife we list our CFM Conservationists For Life.

It’s a quiet, but continual thanks to our “Life Members.”

Many of our readers may pass over this page, having read it sometime before. So I’m asking you, please take a moment this issue to read through all 128 names.

By this time next year our Conservationists For Life should take two pages each issue and total 242 names! At least that would be the case if we are able to meet a challenge issued by Chip McGeehan.

Mr. McGeehan responded to our 2010 end-of-year mailing with a gift of $5,000, and a list of five new names for Life Membership. His handwritten note to Mike Schallon announced a challenge to CFM – double Life Memberships in 2011.

At the time of his gift our Life Member list stood at 121 names. We’re already up to 128. That’s a great start. Simple math would tell you we need about 10 new Life Members per month to reach this inspired goal. Let’s take Chip’s challenge to heart and make it reality. If you’ve been considering Life Membership in CFM, make 2011 the year you act on that thought!

Since Duane Addleman

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became our first Life Member in 1998, gifts of Life Membership have been important to our growth. In the first four years of the program we gained fourteen Life Members, with seven of those the result of a gift made on another’s behalf. In the past two years we’ve gained sixty-two Life Members, with fifteen of those the result of gifts.

Why make a gift of Life Membership? Our history of Life Member gifts would suggest the answer to that question could include celebration of an engagement, retirement or birthday, or as a thank you for a career dedicated to conservation. Those are all great reasons.

As Chip pointed out to me, another great reason is that it answers the question, “What can you do as a CFM member to instill a conservation ethic in future generations?” The

thank you notes Chip’s received have convinced him that his gifts have done just that.

The gifts have served as an unforgettable introduction to CFM and our organization’s role in conservation, and have inspired the recipients of these gifts to get more involved in CFM. Reaching the goal of 121 new CFM Conservationists For Life would certainly be a huge step toward meeting our 2011 operating budget – a budget that represents necessary expenditures to maintain our programs, advocacy and

outreach efforts – and we must raise those funds one way or another. Why not honor someone in the process?

Whether it is your children or grandchildren, nieces and nephews, a colleague or employee, friend or neighbor, I hope you’ll take a moment to consider whom you might honor and make a gift this year as your budget allows.

Thanks for supporting CFM with your time, talents and gifts!

—Matt Gaunt Development Director, CFM

REDUCE • REUSE • RECYCLE MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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December At Little Osage Duck Club

PAT R I C K B R YA N T

PAT R I C K B R YA N T

JAMIE GRIESEDIECK

Little Osage Duck Club owners, JT and Bill Tillman, are eager to share the fun with guests. Back row, left to right: Scott Keating, Jeff “JT” Tillman, David Jatho, John Keller, Andrew Keller, David Keller. Front row, Patrick Bryant and Abby.

Would you would like to be added to our electronic newsletter list?

Please email your name and email address to lcoleman@confedmo.org or call us toll free at 800-575-2322 8

JANUARY 2011

PAT R I C K B R YA N T

S C O T T K E AT I N G

PAT R I C K B R YA N T

A sportsman’s sky in Vernon County.

Patrick Bryant, Jamie Griesedieck and new CFM Board Member JT Tillman.

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Use Of Social Media To Advance Conservation andidates and elected officials are just now realizing the full potential of social media to build an agenda and support or to engage constituents and others. For example: Most campaigns are on Facebook and many elected officials have Facebook or Twitter accounts.

Elected officials use Facebook or Twitter daily to “communicate” with constituents, friends, family and other elected officials.

“Friend Power” is empowering.

Elected officials are using Facebook to poll “friends” on issues.

Online, people are increasingly finding news stories from one another on Facebook, Twitter or other social networks, as opposed to through a search engine.

Social media also allow candidates to communicate directly with their supporters.

Social media sites (i.e.

Facebook) are sites where people spend their time and discuss issues that matter to them (i.e. politics, family, friends, etc.).

Recent surveys indicate: • 82 percent of American adults have a cell phone.

• Six in 10 American adults go online wirelessly with a laptop or mobile device.

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These numbers continue to grow.

Social media is not going away. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 31% of all users on social networking sites engage in some activity “with a civic or political focus.”

Remember, nearly all elected officials now have a Facebook or Twitter account.

A far more interesting statistic is that 15% of all Internet users have left comments on websites about political or social issues, or posted images or written blog posts related to politics or social issues. What is even more interesting, though not surprising, is that young adults between 18 and 29 are far more likely to use social networks as a venue for political and civic engagement than older users. These younger users who engage in political activity online are also far more likely to participate in politics offline.

Social media sites have proven effective at building political campaigns. In fact, many elected officials keep their Facebook page or Twitter

31% of all users on social networking sites engage in some activity “with a civic or political focus.”

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account open for others to see or comment on. This level of transparency and open communication creates a unique opportunity for communicating with elected official and allows others to see your comment. They can also comment supporting or opposing your view.

The conservation community should consider using social media sites as a way to communicate with elected officials and to send key conservation messages. For example, individuals can create a Facebook account and become friends with their State Representative and State Senator.

The Conservation Federation

of Missouri can create key messages for individuals to send to their elected official.

Just imagine the power of a Senator receiving 10 or 20 or 100 posts from their Facebook friends on the importance of the Conservation Sales Tax or appreciating their support of conservation efforts.

Individuals can also organize into a group or become friends of other conservation sites such as Conservation Federation of Missouri, Ducks Unlimited, Quail Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Missouri Department of Conservation. By doing so, creates a powerful network of citizens.

SNR Broadens ‘Outdoor Sports’ Definition Program expands scope from hunting and fishing to golf, football, baseball ost of us have a favorite memory of an outdoor experience, whether it was that first fishing trip with our grandfathers, an especially successful excursion with friends, or an afternoon spent with our children enjoying the amenities of a local conservation area, park or trail.

However, for some the outdoor experience is set in a slightly different venue.

Outdoor recreation in Missouri, while historically set in more natural environments, is certainly not limited to the state’s parks, conservation areas, or natural spaces. At the University of Missouri, faculty work with students from a variety of backgrounds as those young people pursue degrees in the School of Natural Resources.

While some of our students hail from rural areas and have long histories with shooting sports or time spent on the water with a rod and reel, many bring an urban background and perspective to their natural resource studies.

As we develop curriculum and prepare students to be professional researchers, communicators and educators in the natural resources industry, the reality that the favorite outdoor recreation memories of our students are as diverse as their backgrounds. Within the School of Natural

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Resources, we have taken the approach that it is time that we incorporate the local ballpark, stadium, golf courses, etc. into the discussion of outdoor opportunities.

That conversation is evolving into a new academic opportunity within the School. An emphasis area within our Parks, Recreation, and Tourism degree program in sport management will be available in 2011, exploring economic, marketing and regulatory aspects of sports (broadly interpreted). We already have more than 100 students expressing interest in pursuing this degree option. The vast majority are new to the School of Natural Resources, over half new to MU. The new program has also facilitated the hiring of two team members Dr. Nick Watanabe and program coordinator Matt Foster. Revisions, tweaks and changes will be ongoing as we ramp up this emphasis area to serve students and employers. Already, the most common questions our staff are hearing from students involve internships, career placement, and other professional opportunities to marry their interests in outdoor recreation, sport, and resource management. We see career opportunities for our budding “sport managers” from traditional sports (e.g., football,

baseball, hockey, basketball) to natural resource based sports such as shooting, angling, orienteering, and beyond.

As with many changes we have seen in the natural resources field and in education, the long-range implications of this opportunity extend far beyond our initial investment, and likely beyond our expectations. We expect challenges along with successes as we broaden the scope of outdoor recreation and sport to a point inclusive of weekends spent casting in a favorite lake or stream, quiet hours outdoors spent photographing wildlife and afternoons

spent counting strokes on the golf course. And, it is those challenges that will enable our team to move sport management in the School of Natural Resources beyond professional sports, beyond prime-time contests, and beyond mainstream perception to embrace professional opportunities as diverse as our students.

—Mark R. Ryan Director, The School of Natural Resources (Ms. Christine Tew, former PRT graduate student at MU contributed substantially to this article. )

CFM Travel Mug • A 15-oz tumbler/mug with double-wall construction and a stainless steel interior and exterior.

• Has a screw-on, lock-top lid and a curved, easy-pour spout.

• Easily fits most auto cup holders.

$20.00 (includes shipping/handling)

Order yours today! Just call CFM toll-free at (800) 575-2322.

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THANK YOU! BUSINESS ALLIANCE MEMBERS PLATINUM

BASIC

Bass Pro Shops Shelter Insurance Drury Hotels

Aaron’s Boats & Motors ArdPark Cabins Bee Rock Land, LLC Bolin Auto and Truck Parts C. J. Thomas Company Cap America Cequel III Citizens Telephone Company Columbia Daily Tribune Commerce Bank Columbia Market Culligan Water of Columbia Denny Dennis Sporting Goods

SILVER Analytical Bio-Chemistry Laboratories, Inc. Gray Manufacturing Company Hornbuckle Heating, Cooling and Plumbing James T. Blair IV Pyramid Home Health Services

Evans Equipment Farmer’s Coop Elevator Association Les Bourgeois Vineyards McRoberts Farm, Inc. Meramec Bison Farm, LLC Michaelanne, Inc. Paradigm Financial Advisors Quality Forest Management REMAX Boone Realty Sierra Bullets Suddenlink Communications Tabor Plastic Company The Bank of Missouri Wood Land & Cattle, LLC

Gift memberships are a great way to support conservation and CFM! Your gift will include 6 issues of Missouri Wildlife, a logo decal and a membership card, as well as a note identifying you as the sender. Please check the membership level you would like to give as a gift: $25—Individual $15—Student $30—Family $100—Sustaining $1000—Lifetime Gift of conservation from Name ________________________________________________Phone: ______________ Given to Name ____________________________________________________________________ City: __________________________________________________ State: ____________ ZIP code: __________________________________________________________________

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Address: __________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________E-mail address: ____________________________________________________ Pay via check (payable to Conservation Federation of Missouri) or charge (MasterCard, Visa or Discover) Credit card number: ______________________________________________________________ Expiration date: __________ Signature of cardholder: __________________________________________________________________________________ Please mail to Conservation Federation of Missouri • 728 West Main • Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 If you have questions, call us at 1-800-575-2322 or visit us at www.confedmo.org CFM is an IRS-approved tax-exempt not-for-profit, so your donations are tax deductible.

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BOOK REVIEW

Comprehensive Guide Is Gardener’s Must-have ative garden enthusiasts, go to your nearest book source and prepare to gush: Lynn M. Steiner’s new book is one of the most comprehensive guides available on gardening with prairie plants.

Prairie-Style Gardens is beautiful, practical, well organized and clearly written.

Photographs of natural prairie and savanna landscapes, from which her gardening inspiration comes, as well as of prairie gardens, site preparation and individual plants grace nearly every page.

Ms. Steiner makes an important distinction between establishing “prairie gardens” of a quarter of an acre to 1,000square-feet in size, and smaller prairie landscaping projects in traditional settings – each of these two garden types has its own chapter. Clear instructions on site preparation, plant selection, planting and garden design accompany each.

The bulk of the book, how-

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Prairie-Style Gardens Capturing the Essence of the American Prairie Wherever You Live

By Lynn M. Steiner 2010, Timber Press Hardcover, 303 pages $34.95 ever, is contained in the “Prairie Profiles” section, because, as Ms. Steiner writes, “the book is really all about the plants.” Each of the 70+ plant profiles includes information on native habitat, site requirements, landscape uses, wildlife attraction, maintenance, and good companion plants.

Missourians will note that Ms. Steiner places special emphasis on plants of the

upper tallgrass prairie region, and in her sections on resources and places to see prairie plants, very few Missouri businesses and prairies are listed. Gardeners seeking assistance on the abundance of prairies and prairie garden resources in Missouri are invited to contact the Mis-

souri Prairie Foundation – we will be happy to help you locate resources.

—Carol Davit, Editor, Missouri Prairie Journal, Development Coordinator, Missouri Prairie Foundation, info@moprairie.com, 888-843-6739

Timber investment trees are tax deductible!

Missouri BASS Federation 2011 Spring Fling The Missouri BASS Federation will host their Spring Fling on Sunday, April 10, at Pomme De Terre Lake. A flyer on the event will be available in January. Visit www.mobass.com to view flyer and obtain a registration form. For more information on the Spring Fling contact Jim Zieger at president@mobass.com.

All proceeds from the event to benefit the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

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888-749-0799 www.advancedtree.com

ADVANCED TREE TECHNOLOGY 12818 Edgerton Rd. New Haven, IN 46774 • 260-749-0891

MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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Conservation Federation of Missouri 2011 Resource Committee Meetings The Lodge of Four Seasons Saturday, February 26 Keynote Session 8:00 - 8:45 Natural Resource Committee Meetings 9:00 - 10:30

Natural Resource Committee Meetings 11:00 - 12:30

Camping, Hiking Trails & Water Sports

Archery

Chair: Linda Hanley

Vice Chair: John Knudsen

Deer, Wild Turkey & Ruffed Grouse Chair: Dan Zerr

Vice Chair: Eldo Meyer

Forestry Chair: Ed Keyser

Vice Chair: John Fleming

Chair: Matt Gaunt

JANUARY 2011

Chair: Wallis Warren

Vice Chair: Duane Kelly

Chair: Norman Leppo

Vice Chair: Jim Zieger

Chair: Herman Hanley

Vice Chair: Bruce Schuette

Parks Small Game & Furbearers

Vice Chair: George Seek

Youth Leadership & Conservation Education

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Vice Chair: Jerry Castillon

Chair: Nikki Thole Buechler Vice Chair: Chad Shoemaker

Waterfowl & Wetlands

Chair: Diana Mulick

Chair: Dennis Figg

Natural History & Wildlands Vice Chair: Ron Coleman

Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste & Recycling

Chair: Mickey Heitmeyer

Climate Change

Fisheries & Water Resources Vice Chair: Elsa Gallagher

Rivers & Streams Chair: Norman Stucky

Vice Chair: David Smith

Ecology, Environment & Energy

Quail & Quail Habitat Chair: Tom Lampe

Chair: Tom Dickerson

Vice Chair: Al Vogt

Chair: Ken Drennon

Vice Chair: Robert Wilson

Sportsman’s Rights, Firearms & Hunter Safety Chair: Marvin Behnke

Vice Chair: Tony Legg

Come Home To Conservation 75th CFM Annual Convention - REGISTER NOW! CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS Annual Conservation Awards Ceremony Natural Resource Committee Reports Banquet Auctions

Meet Conservation & Natural Resource Leaders Affiliates Luncheon

CONVENTION-AT-A-GLANCE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27

1:00 - 7:00 pm

Registration Open

9:00 - 12:30 pm Resource Committee Meetings

7:00 - 8:30 am Breakfast (on your own)

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Committee Meetings (as posted)

12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch break (on your own)

8:30 am

Resolutions General Session

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Dinner Break (on your own)

Board Members & Affiliate 12:30 - 1:30 pm Leaders Luncheon

12:00 pm

Adjourn

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation & CFM Board Dinner 1:30 - 2:30 pm

Subject to change

Resolutions Committee Meeting

7:00 - 7:30 pm

Social

2:30 - 3:00 pm

Operation Game Thief (OGT) Committee Meeting

7:30 - 9:00 pm

Annual Conservation Awards Ceremony

3:00 - 5:00 pm

CFM Board and Business Meeting

5:30 - 6:30 pm

Social Hour & Silent Auction

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 7:00 - 8:00 am

Breakfast (on your own)

6:30 - 8:00 pm

Banquet

7:30 - 5:30 pm

Registration Open

8:00 - 9:00 pm

Live Auction

8:00 - 8:45 am

Keynote Session

9:00 - 11:00 pm

Documentary Film Festival

2011 Awards Ceremony is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops

REGISTRATION FORM (clip & mail) (#1) Member Package - All sessions, Awards Ceremony, Access to exhibits/silent auction.

Mail Registration To:

(#2) Non Member Package - All sessions, Awards Ceremony, Access to exhibits/silent auction, One year CFM Membership.

CFM 728 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101

• There is no fee for spouses not attending meetings.

• Children 18 and under are free to attend meetings.

• Banquet fees are separate.

ACCOMMODATIONS First Time Attendee

Lodging arrangements must be made directly with the Lodge of Four Seasons (573) 365-3000 or (800) 843-5253.

Name: ______________________________________ Address: ____________________________________

Room rates are $77/night for single or double occupancy while room block lasts.

____________________________________________ Telephone: __________________________________ Credit Card #: ________________________________ Expiration Date: ______________________________ Signature: ___________________________________ Special Needs (i.e. access, room, handicap, dietary): ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Registration Packages

Registration

Registration Fee

(#1) Member

$40.00/person

$

(#2) Non Member

$60.00/person

$

Banquet (Adult)

$40.00/person

$

Banquet (Children under 16) $15.00/person

$

Total Registration:

$

MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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Prairie Star Restoration Farm Hosts Photo Exhibit Challange Draws In 16 Area Photographers an and Bruce Sassmann hosted a photography exhibit in the hay loft of their fully restored 1926 barn at their Prairie Star Restoration Farm near Belle.

They didn’t quite know what to expect regarding possible attendance numbers, but stocked in a supply of Wenwood Farm wine and refreshments for the exhibit from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on October 24th. On display was the work of 16 area photographers who visited the Sassmann’s Prairie Star Restoration Farm on August 12th and participated in an invitational

SETH KLEIN

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JANUARY 2011

breath of fresh air.”

The challenge part of the project includes the chance for photographers to have their work published in magazines which focus on conservation and wildlife issues, quail habitat, and land restoration and conservation efforts using native plants.

Judging for publication opportunities in the Missouri Conservationist, Conservation Federation’s Missouri Wildlife, Missouri Prairie Journal, and Quail Forever magazine will be conducted prior to the public opening of the show.

The event was sponsored by Quail Forever.

—Dave Marner Gasconade County Republican

CHLOE MYERS

JO ENNIS

photography challenge.

That evening in August they viewed a presentation of images made by photojournalist David Stoner with the Missouri Department of Conservation while on assignment for the agency’s magazine, The Missouri Conservationist.

“Since the challenge began, each photographer has privately returned to the farm to immerse themselves in their craft and engage their photographic genius,” the Sassmann’s noted.

“The resulting photographs, each taken on the 120 acre farm, are filled with enthusiasm, excitement and emotion. It was a Sunday drive in the country, an art show and reception, a wine and cheese tasting, a refreshing glimpse of objectivity, and a

MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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Right: Project workers (left to right): Amber Edwards, Turner Oliver, Caitlin Shoults, Katherine Dockery and Mike Baker.

Bottom: Katherine Dockery works on setting a post.

Service Project Weekend

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• Area sign Hung up on the Naturalist Shed • Hunting Blinds and other items moved to Attic • Attic organized and cleaned • Set posts for the Green Trail • Spray paint & Set posts for the Gold Trail • Removed logs and branches from trail area that would interfere with normal maintenance of trails • Opened trail walking area by trimming low branches in the trails • Located a permanent camping site for groups of 10 or more • Found the cemetery & grave on the area • Helped label and find lights in the Guest 18

JANUARY 2011

House to assist future groups from wasting energy on light switches where previously unlabeled • Moved naturalists items to the basement so mice won’t destroy them outside over the winter • Moved the herbarium cabinet from the Edwards Jones/Katy Trail room to the Library area of the Guest House • Students became more comfortable with the area and talked about future projects and possibilities at Prairie Fork • Located old bluebird, owl and duck boxes that will be replaced or cleaned out in the spring • Talked to teachers at a Nature Unleashed workshop at Prairie Fork on Saturday, to hear first hand some of the hesitations the teachers are having with the area JACOB SWAFFORD PHOTOS

want to thank the six students that came out to help Prairie Fork Conservation Area, despite the weather.

We were able to do things as simple as organize the attic where the hunting blinds that the disabled hunters used at the managed hunt in November, to staking out two trails that will allow our teachers to navigate the area with more comfort. Following is a list of items that were completed with the help of the students:

It was a huge help to Prairie Fork and myself to have these students assist me on tasks I could not complete myself in a timely fashion. It was also interesting to me at how much the students planning

the event were able to grow and deal with disappointment when not everyone attended who said they would.

I hope we are able to continue service projects and activities with this great group of students.

—Amber Edwards Education Coordinator, Prairie Fork

CFM Conservationists For Life ($1,000 Contribution)

Charles Abele, Saint Louis R. Philip Acuff, Saint Joseph Duane Addleman, Springfield Nancy Addleman† Nancy Carol Addleman, Springfield Tom Addleman, Kansas City James Agnew, Arnold Allan Appell, Calhoun Richard Ash, Saint Charles Carolyn Auckley, Ballwin Michael Baker, DeSoto Dane Balsman, Perryville Jim Tom Blair, Saint Louis Marilynn Bradford, Cape Girardeau Stephen Bradford, Cape Girardeau Glenn Chambers, Columbia Ron Coleman, Saint Albans Mark Corio, Columbia Bill Crawford, Columbia Ryan Diener, Marthasville Joe G. Dillard, Columbia Ron Douglas, Springfield John Enderle, Kelso Howard Fisher, Higginsville Mary Louise Fisher, Higginsville Andrew Fleming, Columbia Howard Fleming, Moberly Lori Fleming, Columbia Matt Fleming, Columbia Paula Fleming, Columbia Sara Fleming, Moberly Matt Gaunt, Columbia Timothy Gordon, Belgrade Richard & Sally Graham, Hartsburg Joseph Gray, Saint Joseph Debbie Gremmelsbacher, Saint Louis Gery Gremmelsbacher, Saint Louis Mark and Kathy Haas, Jackson Herman Hanley, Grain Valley Mickey Heitmeyer, Advance Randy Herzog, Saint Joseph James Hill, Mexico Allan Hoover, Pleasant Hill John Hoskins, Fremont Larry & Joan Hummel, Glencoe Patricia Hurster, Saint Louis Aaron Jeffries, Jefferson City Don Johnson, Festus Malcolm “Mac” Johnson, Hartsburg Roger & Debbie Johnson, Humansville Tom Karl, Farmington Cosette Kelly, Kansas City Duane Kelly, Kansas City Marty King, University City Judd Kirkham, Climax Springs Elizabeth Knight, Charlotte, NC Jeff Kolb, Saint Charles

Carl Kurz, Leawood, KS Ann Kutscher, Jefferson City Larry Lackamp, Bates City Kyle Lairmore, Owensville Jay Law† Gerald Lee, Kansas City Joel LeMaster, Fulton Norman Leppo, Saint Louis John Lewis, Columbia Leroy Logan, Arnold Christine Logan-Hollis, Blackwell Ike Lovan, Steelville Chip McGeehan, Marshfield Teresa McGeehan, Marshfield Richard Mendenhall, Columbia Cynthia Metcalfe, Saint Louis Davis Minton, Dexter Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City John Moore, Jr., Springfield Johnny Morris, Springfield David Murphy, Columbia Dean Murphy, Jefferson City First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon, Jefferson City Gov. Jay Nixon, Jefferson City Austin Owens, Lebanon Jeff Owens, Marshfield Sara Parker Pauley, Hartsburg Abe Phillips, Saint Louis Jan Phillips, Saint Louis Jerry Presley, Centertown Albert Price, Columbia Nick Prough, Harrisonville Kirk Rahm, Warrensburg David & Janice Reynolds, Springfield Gerald Ross, Jefferson City Bruce & Jan Sassmann, Bland Mike Schallon, Wentzville

Mossie Schallon, Wentzville Timothy Schwent, Jackson George Seek, Meadville E. “Sy” Seidler, Saint Louis Sara Seidler, Saint Louis Gary & Susanna Smith, Neosho M.W. Sorenson, Columbia Ed Stegner, Pilot Grove Charles & Winnie Stribling, Mexico Mary Stuppy, Joplin Mark Sullivan† Jim Talbert, Jefferson City Tim Thompson, Saint Charles Jeff (J. T.) Tillman, Lake Ozark Gary Van De Velde, Jefferson City Barbara VanBenschoten, Kansas City Lee Vogel, Kansas City Al Vogt, Columbia Julius Wall, Clinton Randy Washburn, Jefferson City Henry J. Waters, III, Columbia Robert Werges, Arnold Mark Williams, Lawson Michael Wilson, Saint Louis Stephen Wilson, Hartsburg Brenda Witter, Holts Summit Daniel Witter, Holts Summit Dick Wood, Saint Louis Howard Wood, Bonne Terre Joyce Wood, Bonne Terre Dan Zerr, OʼFallon Jim Zieger, Blue Springs Emily Ziehmer, California Robert Ziehmer, California Ethan Zuck, Strafford Guy Zuck, Strafford † Deceased

When will you add your name to the list?

CFM Life Membership Application Name: ______________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ Phone:

__________________ Email: ______________________________

Payment Method (circle one):

Cash

Check

Credit Card #: __________________________ Exp. Date: ____________ MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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CALENDAR MISSOURI FESTIVALS AND AFFILIATE EVENTS AFFILIATE EVENTS MID MISSOURI TROUT UNLIMITED JAN 4: Regular Monthly Meeting, D. Rowe’s, Columbia (7:00pm) FEB 1: Regular Monthly Meeting, D. Rowe’s, Columbia (7:00pm) FEB 18: 24th Annual Conservation Banquet, Stoney Creek Inn, Columbia (5:30pm); Michael Riley (573) 882-6475 MISSOURI BASS FEDERATION JAN 29: Directors Meeting, Boone Tavern, Columbia (10:00am) MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITED JAN 22: Lexington Dinner, Adkins Auction Building, Lexington (6:00pm); Craig Rodekohr (816) 699-5109 or John Christopherson (660) 493-2318 JAN 29: Lamar/Barton County Membership Dinner, Lamar (6:00pm); Jared Chesnut (417) 262-0168 or George Nichols (417) 682-6003 JAN 29: Warrenton Dinner, Lions Club, Wright City (6:00pm); Richard Vallat (636) 544-1049 or John Molitor (636) 6733091 FEB 3: District Meeting, Baymont Inn, Saint Robert (6:00pm); Mark Jackson (417) 549-9875 or Angie Schuster (573) 216-2397 FEB 5: Weston Membership Dinner, Platte County Fairgrounds, Weston (6:00pm); Boyd Hiatt (816) 210-7015 or Quit Shafer (816) 640-5221 FEB 12: Kearney Dinner, Annunciation Community Center, Kearney (6:00pm); Jody Williams (816) 903-9944 or Hank Morgan (816) 289-9848 FEB 12: Longview – Grandview Membership Dinner, Turners American Hall, Belton (5:00pm); Tony Berter (816) 763-8289 or Jeremy Long (816) 718-5552 FEB 19: Blackwater Dinner,

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JANUARY 2011

Johnson County Fairgrounds, Warrensburg (6:00pm); Gary Carter (660) 429-2934, Brad Bromwell (660) 238-1380 or Kevin Raynes (660) 429-6959 FEB 24: Greater Kansas City Tribute Event for Dr. Fred Bosilevac, Boulevard Brewery, Overland Park (5:30pm); Richard Woody (502) 243-1602 FEB 26: Saint Charles Dinner, Stegton Regency, Saint Charles (6:00pm); Dunstan Disselhorst (636) 699-9869 FEB 26: Odessa Membership Dinner, Community Center, Odessa (6:00pm); Chris Coleman (816) 838-4401 or Artie Lett (816) 699-9299 Feb 26: Independence Dinner, Pavilion II, Independence (6:00pm); Bob Cole (913) 9270757 MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION FUNDRAISING BANQUETS JAN 3: Committee Kimber Raffle, Cape Girardeau; Larry Neal (314) 334-4942 JAN 14: Bayou Strutters, Top of the Town Banquet Hall, East Prairie; Tim Kavan (573) 8236366 JAN 15: Current River Callers, Winona School, Winona; Troy McAfee (417) 331-4831 JAN 15: Springtown Wattlenecks, American Legion Post, Smithville; Troy O’Dell (816) 628-4254 JAN 21: Shaky Ground Gobblers, Southern Comfort, New Madrid; Walter Campbell (573) 3807928 JAN 22: Crowleys Ridge Limbhangers, Elks Lodge, Dexter; Kyle Ouzts (573) 258-0770 JAN 22: Indian Creek Chapter, Lampo Building, Neosho; Chuck and Doris Dalbom (417) 628-3253 JAN 22: Tick Ridge, Expo Center, Macon; Matthew Burks (660) 395-1404 JAN 22: Union Covered Bridge

Gobblers, American Legion Hall, Paris; Bruce Mills (573) 721-2268 JAN 27: Mid-State, Elks Lodge, Columbia; Bernard Grice (573) 445-6967 JAN 28: Delta Bootheel Gobblers, Eagles Hall, Kennett; Lynn Smith (573) 888-7014 JAN 28: Honey Creek Strutters, Lake Viking Club House, Gallatin; Scott Estep (660) 7495816 JAN 28: Ozark Greenway Thunderin Gobblers, Community Building, Willard; Jason Bussard (417) 830-1535 JAN 29: Benton County Thunderin Gobblers, Knights of Columbus, Warsaw; Josh Young (660) 547-2535 JAN 29: Lincoln Hills, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Troy; Jay Herring (573) 898-5420 JAN 29: Putnam County Chapter, Putnam County Middle School Commons, Unionville; Joe Ream (660) 341-0895 JAN 29: Ray County Shortspurs, Ray County Veterans Memorial Building, Richmond; Mark McCorkendale (660) 398-4785 JAN 29: Southern Ozark Longbeards, First Church of God, Doniphan; Alan Slayton (573) 996-3211 FEB 4: Lees Summit Longbeards, Municipal Airport, Lees Summit; Mark Graber (816) 318-9613 FEB 4: Lost Creek Longbeards, Innsbrook Resort, Wright City; Gary Janes (636) 290-8310 FEB 4: Rogersville Strutters, First Baptist Church, Rogersville; Cody Wilson (417) 838-2451 FEB 5: Chariton River Full Strutters, Knights of Columbus, Salisbury; George Schupback (660) 288-3168 FEB 5: Clearwater Longbeards, Trinity Methodist Church, Piedmont; Richie Ayers (573) 2232356 FEB 5: Cooper County Limbhangers, Knights of Columbus, Boonville; Sabe Caton (573) 450-1048 FEB 5: Gateway Longspurs, Knights of Columbus, Saint Paul; Dan Zerr (636) 625-1608 FEB 11: Meramec Valley Strut-

ters, Eagles Hall, Sullivan; Dennis Twyman (816) 424-3059 FEB 11: Salt River Sharp Spurs, Father Buhman Center, Shelbina; Billy Gibson (573) 6332318 FEB 11: Summit Ridge Longbeards, Saint Andrews Catholic Church, Holts Summit; Jeff Demand (573) 289-0401) FEB 12: Bootheel Boss Gobblers, Bavarian Hall, Jackson; Bronson Senn (573) 225-3087 FEB 12: Dent County Thundering Toms, Indian Trail Archery, Salem; Cheryl Smith (573) 247-0111 FEB 12: Grand River Gobblers, American Legion Hall, Bethany; Ronnie Graham (660) 4258126 FEB 12: Truman Lake Chapter, Benson Convention Center, Clinton; Thomas Paul (660) 885-4613 FEB 25: Brickyard Hill Drummers, Atchison County Memorial Building, Rock Port; Wally Riebesell (660) 744-4115 FEB 25: Kingdom of Callaway Limbhangers, Saint Peters Catholic Church, Fulton; John Burk (573) 676-5994 FEB 25: Sand Burr Strutters, Elks Lodge, Sikeston; Anthony Beeson (573) 471-5192 FEB 25: Tabo Creek Thunderin Toms, American Legion Hall, Higginsville; Kevin Whitworth (660) 909-6078 FEB 25: Upper Meramec Longspurs, Recklein Auditorium, Cuba; Shane Staples (573) 259-7405 FEB 26: Black Mountain Longbeards, Fredericktown Middle School, Frederick town; Jason Wengler (573) 783-7962 FEB 26: Turkey Creek Longbeards, Memorial Hall, Joplin; Charles Forest (417) 781-4720 FEB 26: Young’s Creek Strutters, Holy Spirit Multi Purpose Building, Centralia; Eddie Schultz (573) 682-1900 FEB 27: South Grand River Gobblers, Cass County Elks Lodge, Harrisonville; Roger Benson (816) 380-2266 WHEELIN SPORTSMANS EVENTS JAN 8: Missouri State Awards Dinner, Tan Tar A Resort, Osage

CALENDAR MISSOURI FESTIVALS AND AFFILIATE EVENTS Beach; Travis Scott (573) 4742993 MISSOURI SMALLMOUTH ALLIANCE JAN 19: Monthly Membership Meeting, Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood; Les Anderhub (314) 894-8945 FEB 16: Monthly Membership Meeting, Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood; Les Anderhub (314) 894-8945 MISSOURI TAXIDERMIST ASSOCIATION JAN 22: The Winter Seminar, Curt Shahan’s Woodland Wonders Taxidermy Studio MISSOURI WHITETAILS UNLIMITED JAN 15: River Hills Chapter Banquet, Bavarian Halle, Jackson JAN 22: Pettis County Disabled Freedom Hunt Banquet, State Fairgrounds, Sedalia

JAN 29: Harold Hoey Chapter Banquet, Saline County Fairgrounds, Marshall FEB 3: SBSTL Chapter Banquet, Stratford Bar and Grill, Fenton FEB 19: Central Missouri Chapter Banquet, Elks Lodge, Chillicothe FEB 19: Tall Tines Chapter Banquet, NEMO Fairgrounds, Kirksville FEB 26: Miller County 4H Council Chapter Banquet, Maries Home School Gym, Eugene OZARK FLY FISHERS JAN 4: Membership Class, Powder Valley Nature Center (6:30pm – 9:00pm) JAN 22: 40th Anniversary Banquet, Crowne Plaza, Clayton (6:00pm – 11:00pm) FEB 1: Membership Class, Powder Valley Nature Center (6:30pm – 7:30pm) FEB 24: General Membership

Meeting, Queeny Park Recreation Center (7:00pm – 9:00pm) OZARK WILDERNESS WATERWAYS CLUB JAN 8: Stream Team Water Quality Testing, Minor Park, Kansas City (10:00am – 11:00am) JAN 8: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm – 7:30pm) JAN 8: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm – 9:00pm) FEB 12: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm – 7:30pm) FEB 12: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm – 9:00pm) FEB 26: Hike Blue Spring Lake Vista Trail, Blue Springs Lake, Blue Springs (10:00am – 4:00pm) ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION FEB 11: White River Big Game Banquet, Branson; Peggy Siler (417) 443-3093 SAINT LOUIS AUDUBON SOCIETY JAN 15-16: Eagle Days, Old

Chain of Rocks Bridge (9:00am – 3:00pm) JAN 15: Field Trip to Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary (9:00am) JAN 18: Great Horned Owls, Forest Park Visitor Center (7:00pm); Mitch Leachman (314) 599-7390 JAN 30: Mid-Winter Open House, Saint Louis Audubon Webster Groves Nature Study Society, The Green Center, University City (1:30pm – 4:00pm) FEB 5: Field Trip to Riverlands and Columbia Bottom (8:00am)

CFM EVENTS FEB 25-27: CFM Annual Convention, Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark

If your affiliate has upcoming events they would like to be printed in Missouri Wildlife, please call our office at (800) 575-2322 or email lcoleman@confedmo.org.

Applications Now Being Accepted For The Charles P. Bell Conservation Scholarship The Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust and the Conservation Federation of Missouri are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2011 Charles Bell Conservation Scholarships.

In the 2011 Bell Scholarship Program, eight scholarships will be awarded: one graduate ($600), one undergraduate ($500) and six for elementary, high school or youth groups ($250 each). In this latter category, CFM members who work with Boy Scouts, 4-H, environmental clubs or youth chapters of their affiliate are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Graduate applicants must be enrolled in a field of study related to conservation, natural

science or earth resources at an accredited college or university. Undergraduate applicants must have 60 credit hours or more and should have enrolled in an area related to conservation.

Preference in all cases will be given to applicants enrolled in Missouri schools. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2011.

These scholarships are named in memory of CFM past president Charles P. Bell, whose family provided major funding for this program.

For an application form, write to Conservation Federation of Missouri, Bell Scholarships, 728 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or call (573) 634-2322 or (800) 575-2322.

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AGENCY NEWS

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation To Help Fund Missouri Elk Restoration Project national elk-conservation group whose support for elk restoration in Missouri dates back more than a decade is making good on its promise to financially support the current restoration effort.

Tom Jones, Senior Regional Director for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), says the group already has raised enough money to begin paying for construction of an elk holding pen in Kentucky. The pen will hold elk during a precautionary quarantine period before they are relocated to Missouri.

“We are very grateful to the

MDC

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Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for its long-standing support of elk restoration in Missouri,” said Department of Conservation Director Bob Ziehmer. “Now that we are ready to move forward, the RMEF has wasted no time putting resources behind the effort.”

Ziehmer said partnerships between government and citizen conservation groups make it possible to achieve things far beyond their separate means.

“It is a model that has proven successful time and again and is responsible for America’s greatest conservation success stories,” said Ziehmer.

According to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, elk are flourishing.

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JANUARY 2011

The RMEF, headquartered in Missoula, Mont., invested $61,123.50 to provide financial support for elk restoration in 2000, when the Missouri Conservation Commission first considered the idea. The Commission shelved the original plan in 2001 over concerns about adequate elk habitat and chronic wasting disease. In October of this year, the Commission approved a revised elkrestoration plan that addresses these concerns.

The RMEF immediately began fundraising efforts to help implement the plan, and those efforts continue.

“Our volunteers and membership have worked tirelessly over the last 26 years to raise money to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat,” said Jones. “What a tremendous conservation accomplishment this will be to restore elk back to the ShowMe State after a 150-year absence. The Elk Foundation is proud to be able to step forward and actually put money ‘on the ground’ for this project. No doubt, our strong volunteer core and membership base will continue to work hard to raise additional funds to leave this important wildlife legacy.”

Missouri’s restoration plan calls for releasing up to 150 elk in a 346-square-mile area spanning parts of Shannon, Carter and Reynolds counties.

The Conservation Department selected this limited restoration zone because of extensive public lands, suitable habitat, low road density, minimal agricultural activity and landowner support.

Construction of a holding pen in Kentucky will begin later this month. Trapping of elk is expected to begin in late December or early January.

Trapped elk will remain in the Kentucky holding pen to meet the health testing protocol. Once in Missouri, they will be kept in a holding pen at Peck Ranch Conservation Area (CA) to allow them to acclimate to the area. Construction of the pen at Peck Ranch will take place in January. If all goes according to plan, the first elk could be released into the wild at Peck Ranch CA in late April or early May. “It is very exciting to see these plans moving forward,” said Department of Conservation Resource Scientist Lonnie Hansen. “We are confident that we have adequately addressed all the concerns about elk restoration, and many Missourians are excited about the prospect of having this native animal back in Missouri after an absence of more than 100 years.”

—Jim Low News Services Coordinator, MDC

AGENCY NEWS

Appalachian Wildlife Foundation Pledges Support For MO Elk

he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation (AWF) recently entered into an agreement that establishes a framework for cooperative efforts between the two organizations and a commitment by the AWF to assist in funding the reintroduction of elk in southern Missouri.

Under the agreement, the MDC and AWF agree to work together to restore elk to the identified restoration zone in southern Missouri. The MDC acknowledges that the AWF is working to raise a minimum of $50,000 towards the costs associated with the capture, disease testing, transport, radio collaring and initial monitoring of elk in Missouri.

The MDC and AWF will also collaborate to develop a longterm conservation plan for elk in Missouri, in concert with

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other entities, through a working group established by the MDC. “We look forward to the opportunity to partner with the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation as we move to restore elk in Shannon, Carter and Reynolds counties in southeast Missouri,” wrote MDC Director Bob Ziehmer in a letter to the AWF. “As you know, Missourians are connected to the land and value the great natural resources of this state,” wrote Ziehmer. “This dedication to natural resources, firm commitment to conservation heritage, and history of restoration of native species provides citizens with a rich conservation legacy. The partnership between the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation and the Department of Conservation will be another historic chapter in the history of conservation in Missouri.”

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s elk restoration plan is available at www.MissouriConservation.org

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Foundation is raising funds and offering expertise for Missouri elk restoration efforts.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is bringing back this once-native species to a restoration zone in southeast Missouri.

The Missouri Conservation Commission approved the MDC plan to restore elk at its October meeting. The plan calls for releasing up to 150 wild elk in parts of Shannon, Carter and Reynolds counties.

The Conservation Department selected this limited restoration zone because of extensive public lands, suitable habitat, low road density, minimal agricultural activity and landowner support. The plan includes health protocols, herd management guidelines and habitat management recommendations. Releases of elk could begin as soon as early 2011.

The MDC is in discussions with other conservation

organizations regarding cooperative efforts and funding support.

Elk restoration programs in Arkansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have successfully restored limited elk populations with economic benefits through wildlife viewing and hunting.

Elk are native to the ShowMe State but were gone by the mid-1800s, due to unregulated hunting and habitat changes.

—Jim Low News Services Coordinator, MDC —Joe Jerek News Services Coordinator, MDC

MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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AGENCY NEWS

Honorariums and Memorials Mark special days or show tribute to someone you care about with a donation to CFM. You could honor loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries or other special events. This could be a respectful remembrance of friends and relatives who have passed away. We will list honorariums and memorials here or on another page if this space is insufficient.

Your gift would help in so many ways: to 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. We gladly accept cash, check or credit card—just return the form below to CFM. $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 Other _______

In memory of __________________________________ In honor of ____________________________________ Please notify (name, street, city, state, and ZIP) ____ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ DONOR INFO: I would like more information about including the Conservation Federation of Missouri in my will or trust.

Name ________________________________________ 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 24

JANUARY 2011

Mountain Lion Sighting Verified In Platte County he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently confirmed a mountain lion sighting in northwest Missouri. A landowner in southern Platte County near the Missouri River contacted the MDC with a photograph he took on Nov. 26 of a mountain lion in a tree on his property.

“The photo is clearly of a mountain lion,” said Jeff Beringer, resource scientist with the MDC’s Mountain Lion Response Team. “We visited with the landowner, who wishes to remain anonymous, to confirm the location and to gather additional information.”

The MDC receives dozens of reports each year from Missourians claiming to have seen a mountain lion. Of the more than 1,500 reports received since 1994, only 11 – including the Platte County sighting – have yielded enough evidence to confirm the presence of a mountain lion.

Mountain lions are nocturnal, secretive and generally avoid contact with humans.

Beringer said that there have been no documented cases in Missouri of attacks on livestock, people or pets by mountain lions.

Beringer added that he identified claw marks on the tree where the mountain lion was photographed and collected hair samples from

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where the big cat was perched to submit for DNA testing.

“We will use the DNA results to help us identify where the cat came from,” explained Beringer. “We will compare the results with our database of captive mountain lions in Missouri and also look at mountainlion DNA information from western states.”

The Mountain Lion Response Team conducts field investigations in situations where there is potential physical evidence such as photographs, wildlife or livestock kills, scat, hair or tracks. The team has investigated hundreds of mountain lion reports since it was created in 1996.

“More than 90 percent of reported mountain lion sightings turn out to be bobcats, house cats, or dogs,” Beringer said. “And most of the photos we get of mountain lions turn out to be doctored photographs circulating on the Internet.”

He added that most mountain lions confirmed in Missouri in modern times, such as two killed on highways, are thought to be young males traveling from western states looking for new territory to the east.

“While mountain lions occasionally wander into Missouri from other states, we have no proof of a selfsustaining, reproducing pop-

AGENCY NEWS

Join the CFM Business Alliance today!

Check the annual member category you prefer: $250—Basic $1,000—Silver $5,000—Gold $10,000—Platinum CFM Business Alliance members will receive a one-year subscription to Missouri Wildlife, recognition in each issue of Missouri Wildlife and a CFM Business Alliance sticker.

Please mail this form with your gift supporting CFM to:

Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 The Conservation Federation of Missouri is a 501(c)(3) organization. If you have questions, call us at 1-800-575-2322 or visit us at www.confedmo.org to sign up online MDC

Business Name: __________________________ This mountain lion was sighted in Platte County in late November 2010.

Contact Name: __________________________ Address: ________________________________

ulation,” Beringer said.

He added that the MDC has never stocked or released mountain lions in Missouri and has no plans to do so.

Mountain lions (Puma concolor), also called cougars, panthers and pumas, were present in Missouri before pioneer settlement. The last documented Missouri mountain lion was killed in the Bootheel in 1927. The nearest known populations are in Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, northwestern Nebraska and Texas.

Mountain lions are a protected species in the state under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. The code does allow the killing of any mountain lion attacking or killing live-

stock or domestic animals, or threatening human safety. The incident must be reported to the MDC immediately and the intact carcass, including the pelt, must be surrendered to the MDC within 24 hours.

To report a sighting, physical evidence or other incident, contact a local MDC office or conservation agent, or email the Mountain Lion Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.

For more information on mountain lions in Missouri, visit www.MissouriConservation.org and search “mountain lion.”

City: ____________________________________ State: __________________________________ ZIP code:________________________________ Work phone: ____________________________ Home phone: ____________________________ Fax number: ____________________________ E-mail address: __________________________ Please make checks payable to the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

We also accept MasterCard, Visa, or Discover below or online at www.confedmo.org

Credit card number: ______________________ Expiration date: __________________________

—Joe Jerek News Services Coordinator, MDC

Signature of cardholder: __________________ MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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AGENCY NEWS

t’s been a busy and exciting year in Missouri state parks and historic sites during 2010. The Department of Natural Resources celebrated the 20th anniversary of Katy Trail State Park by hosting several events, exhibits and programs throughout the year to commemorate the occasion.

The first kick-off event took place May 8 at the Katy Trail State Park trailhead in Rocheport. Gov. Jay Nixon was the keynote speaker for the event. Also attending as a special honoree was Pat Jones, who along with her late husband, Ted, gave the initial donation to make Katy Trail State Park possible.

The first section of Katy Trail State Park was dedicated on April 28, 1990, at Rocheport. The trail runs between St. Charles and Clinton, a distance of 225 miles. During the summer, work began on extending the trail approximately 12 miles from St. Charles to Machens. Work also began on the first threemile section of the Rock Island Trail State Park, which will connect the Katy Trail at Windsor to Pleasant Hill.

As a part of the 20th anniversary, the department established the Katy Trail Ticket Book Program, which was designed to encourage people to visit every community along the Katy Trail corridor. In June, the department also celebrated the 10th annual Katy

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Trail Ride. There were 300 bicyclists registered for the ride who peddled 38 to 54 miles every day during their journey from St. Charles to Clinton.

During the fall, the department continued the 20th anniversary by hosting a Fall Colors Tram Tour. The free 90-minute, 17-mile tram tour between Rocheport and McBaine allowed visitors to enjoy the fall colors along the bluffs and striking views of the Missouri River. The tram tours allowed those who cannot access the Katy Trail on foot or by cycling to enjoy the fall colors as well. Interpretive guides provided an explanation of the natural history and cultural features along the trail.

Edward Jones was the primary sponsor for all the activities associated with the 20th anniversary commemoration.

To allow Katy Trail users to show their support, the department created an online apparel store. There are nearly 100 apparel items featuring the Katy Trail 20th anniversary logo, the official Katy Trail State Parks logo and different variations on the Missouri state park themes available at http://katytrailstore.mostatepa rks.com. Products range from sweatshirts to stainless steel travel mugs, with all profits going to help support Missouri’s 85 state parks and historic sites.

A major initiative in 2010 was the creation of the State Parks Youth Corps. This sum-

DNR PHOTOS

2010 A Busy Year For Parks And Historic Sites

Boating, fishing and abundant waterfowl have made Big Lake State Park one of northwest Missouri's most popular outdoor recreation areas.

mer jobs program, initiated by Gov. Jay Nixon, provided jobs for more than 1,000 youths between the ages of 17-24. In addition to providing jobs for youths, the program enhanced and improved state parks, provided work experience and opportunities to learn new skills and introduced youths to possible careers in natural resources and state parks. The National Association of State Parks Directors recognized our efforts by honoring the State Parks Youth Corps with its President’s Award for the most outstanding contribution to a state park system in the nation.

The State Parks Youth Corps is a cooperative partnership

between the Division of Workforce Development and the Division of State Parks using federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. The Conservation Federation of Missouri was a valuable partner in helping to raise funds that were used to provide equipment for the workers. We genuinely appreciate CFM’s support. It is good to know we have such strong partners.

Another milestone in 2010 was the reopening of Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park near Lesterville, which had been heavily damaged in 2005 by the breach of the Taum Sauk Reservoir. The park has a new campground featuring camp-

AGENCY NEWS

A group of State Parks Youth Corps workers provided demonstrations of the various job skills they learned while working in Missouri state parks and historic sites during the summer of 2010.

sites with basic campers, recreational vehicles, equestrian users and walk-in campers, along with six camper cabins.

The new Black River Center serves as the main orientation center for the park and provides exhibits about the natural, cultural and geologic history of the park as well as information on the St. Francois Mountains and surrounding area. Several new trails are featured, including the Scour Channel Trail, which was created by water rushing down Proffit Mountain following the breach.

The shut-ins area of the park is known to most as a great place to swim and splash in during the hot summer months. A new boardwalk provides easy access to the shut-ins for viewing or swimming. Visitors can also access the East Fork of the Black River at various locations throughout the park for swimming, wading or fishing. At the north picnic area, there is easy access to the

river and a gravel bar.

The redeveloped Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park provides many of the key features visitors enjoyed in the past and several new features. If you were unable to get out to the park last summer, be sure to put it on your list of things to do this summer!

Another park that underwent redevelopment last year was Big Lake State Park located in Bigelow. The park was closed last June due to flooding after a nearby levee breached, allowing almost all of the park’s 407 acres and facilities to become flooded.

After the water receded, cleanup and rebuilding efforts began. Park workers and volunteers feverishly worked to clean up a portion of the park in order to reopen the park in time for Labor Day. Staff continued the rebuilding and repairing efforts, including repairs to the swimming pool, dining lodge and the motel following Labor Day. Big Lake

State Park has been a cornerstone of recreation in northwest Missouri since 1932. It has been a place of great happiness – of anniversaries and family barbecues and afternoons spent fishing.

To round out the year in review, the department was honored by the AAA Midwest Traveler magazine. Missouri state parks took the first, second and third place awards for Best State Parks in the Midwest. Last spring, the publication invited readers to vote for their favorite places to visit, eat, shop and more. More than 2,500 people cast ballots for their favorite Midwestern places and people.

Table Rock State Park near Branson won best state park, followed by Lake of the Ozarks State Park in second place and Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton taking third.

These three awards reflect the quality of our state park system and the tremendous opportunity it provides for recreation and tourism. Missouri’s outstanding state parks

are not only a treasure of this state, but are among the most remarkable in the nation.

As we begin the New Year, don’t forget to add a few of our special events to your calendar list of things to do. The state park and historic site events continue through all seasons and winter is no exception.

Roaring River and Montauk state parks are hosting eagle watch events. I saw bald eagles at Montauk when I visited the park in December. We are very proud of our bald eagle populations and state parks provide a great opportunity for the public to watch the eagles coming in to roost in their active nests. To learn more about these and other special events, visit the website at: dnr.mo.gov/calendar/parkssea rch.do.

Whatever your interest, get out there and enjoy your Missouri state parks.

—Bill Bryan Director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks

The Black River Trail at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park is the main trail that runs through the day-use area and explains some of the features, including the fen and boulder field. Both the fen, which is a specialized wetland area, and the boulder field have pavilions with interpretation and information about why these areas are important.

MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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AGENCY NEWS

Gov. Nixon Selects Sara Parker Pauley As Director Of Missouri Department Of Natural Resources ov. Jay Nixon selected Sara Parker Pauley as the new director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. In her new position, Ms. Pauley, 45, will lead the Governor’s efforts to grow the state economy by accelerating the development of renewable sources of energy, creating next-generation “green” jobs, and promoting energy independence in the state. Pauley also will manage agencies and programs focused on managing Missouri’s state parks and historic sites and preserving and improving the state’s natural and cultural resources.

“We were looking for a leader prepared to meet the challenges of environmental

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stewardship and sustainable economic development in the 21st Century,” Gov. Nixon said. “Sara Parker Pauley has a breadth of experience — and a proven track record of success — helping government, business, and non-profit groups find common ground and build consensus. That is the kind of problem-solving we need to promote new opportunities for “green” business practices across the economic spectrum — including within state government — and to accelerate the state’s development of renewable sources of energy, including wind, solar and biofuels.

“In addition, as a lifelong

conservationist, hunter and outdoorswoman, I know that Ms. Pauley appreciates the value of Missouri’s priceless natural and cultural resources, including our outstanding system of state parks, and the importance of preserving, protecting and improving this legacy.”

“I grew up outdoors — hunting and fishing in the Ozarks with my grandparents and my parents — so caring for and respecting Missouri’s outstanding natural resources is a value that goes back generations in my family,” Ms. Pauley said. “I also believe that economic growth and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclu-

sive; resource management always works best when all stakeholders work together.

“Advancing Gov. Nixon’s agenda by developing new sources of clean, abundant energy is essential to growing our economy, promoting Missouri’s energy independence and creating a greener, healthier, more prosperous state,” Ms. Pauley said. “I look forward to working with the business community, members of the legislature, the public and the environmental community to make Missouri a leader in renewable energy, in resource conservation, and in protecting our outdoor heritage for generations to come.”

Ms. Pauley replaces former DNR Director Mark N. Templeton, who resigned in

g 1 n i 1 0 w 2 a r D n u G M F C Call the CFM office at 573-634-2322 to buy your tickets TODAY! 28

JANUARY 2011

in, n't win! t ' n i a If you you ca

AGENCY NEWS continually balance the goals Missouri. She was a member market research and of economic growth, the need of the board of the American development for elecfor jobs and the protection of National Fish & Wildlife tric utilities and the our land, water and air.”

Museum, where she served as U.S. military.

Ms. Pauley was chief of director of conservation proFrom 2001 to 2005, grams from 2005-2006. She staff to former Missouri Ms. Pauley was deputy has published a number of House Speaker Steve Gaw director of the Misarticles on wildlife and natural from 1996-1998, working as a souri Department of resources management. liaison with legislators, lobbyNatural Resources, Ms. Pauley and her husists and other constituent serving as its public band, Scott, a professional groups. liaison to diverse conbass fisherman, live in HartsMs. Pauley received both stituencies including burg. Scott Pauley is a 30-year her law degree and her bachethe business commuveteran of the Missouri State lor’s degree in journalism nity and environmenHighway Patrol. from the University of Mistal groups. She also The Missouri Department souri – Columbia, and did oversaw the staff and of Natural Resources is post-graduate studies in Ausbudgets of the State responsible for preserving the tralia as a Rotary Fellow. She Historic Preservation Pauley brings a wide range of public, priquality of Missouri’s air, water was an instructor at the UniOffice, Energy Center, vate sector experience in energy and and land. The Department versity of Missouri’s School of Technical Assistance resource management; Missouri native is includes the Division of State Natural Resources, where she Office and Communian avid hunter and conservationist Parks; the Division of Geology taught a course in natural cations Office. and Land Survey; the Division resource policy and adminis“Sara is a consensusAugust to become Executive of Environmental Quality; the tration. She is also a graduate builder,” said former DNR Director of the Office of the State Environmental Improveof Columbia’s Hickman High Director Steve Mahfood. “She Independent Trustees of the ment and Energy Resources School. has the ability to listen to all Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Authority; and the Petroleum A lifelong conservationist sides, communicate effectively Trust. Following Mr. Templeand confidentially, and identi- and an avid hunter, Pauley has Storage Tank Insurance Fund. ton’s resignation, Gov. Nixon The Governor appoints the appointed a nine-person com- fy common ground. Those are been an executive committee Director with the advice and critical skills in a position such and board member of the mittee to conduct a nationconsent of the State Senate.

Conservation Federation of as this one, where you must wide search for his replacement. Gov. Nixon named Kip Stetzler acting director during the search; Mr. Stetzler has been the Director of the Western Regional Office of the Governor in Kansas City.

In memory of Louis Hoerr A native of Columbia, Ms. Berkeley Gunther ~ Clayton, MO Pauley had been a project manager for D.J. Case & Associates, a natural resources In memory of James & Lillian Blankenship communications firm, where Gary & Kristin Van De Velde ~ Jefferson City, MO she worked with federal and Connie Tiehen ~ Lees Summit, MO state agencies on policy develClifford & Bettie Tanquary ~ Grandview, MO opment, marketing and enviMurray & Mildred Baalman ~ Grinnell, KS ronmental compliance.

In 2006-2007, she was Thomas Kamrath ~ Peculiar, MO Executive Vice President of Ruby Daily ~ Peculiar, MO PrimeGen Power USA, a startArnold & Helen Meysenburg ~ Lees Summit, MO up distributed power energy Ron Coleman ~ Saint Albans, MO company based in Missouri, where she was responsible for

HONORARIUMS AND MEMORIALS

MISSOURI WILDLIFE

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WELCOME

Richard Cochran, West Plains Bart Coleman, Ballwin Paul Corl, Jefferson City C F M N E W M E M B E R S Bill Couch, Stoutsville Jack Creason, Mexico Susan Crider, Kansas City Joseph Allen, Ashland Buford Crites, Palm Desert, Butch Anderson, Hannibal CA George Barrios, Peculiar Bill Cutler, Topeka, KS Ed Barron, Saint Louis Betty Daniel, Independence Daniel Barton, Saint Louis Mark Deane, Sikeston Robert Bass, Leasburg Gene Dewey, Blue Springs Brent Bauer, Independence Kenton Dickerson, Freeman Dewayne Bauer, Jefferson City Katherine Dockery, Ballwin Delbert Becker, Freeburg John Dodson, Marshfield Richard Becker, Freeburg Jeff Doherty, Chesterfield Lucinda Bennett, Saint Louis Theodore Dunham, High Francis Berberich, Festus Ridge Lloyd Bermond, Holt Thomas Dunleavy, Kansas Suzanne Bier, Palmyra City Tammy Bilbruck, Buckner Harold Eagan, Lees Summit J. D. Bizek, Crane Raymond Evans, Holts SumElvin Blumfelder, Saint Louis mit Chuck Bonnett, Camdenton John Fannon, Saint Louis Bob Borman, Kansas City David Fleshman, Saint Louis Roger Botkin, Ballwin Norman Fogt, Valley Park Jack Bowles, Florissant John Foxworth, Belton Francis Brady, Wentzville Dawn Fredrickson, Columbia Erwin Brakensiek, Foristell Mike Fulton, Kirbyville Allyn Braun, Morrisonville, IL James Gabriel, Harrisonville Harry Braungardt, Moscow Ernest Gales, Saint Louis Mills Mike Gehlken, Sedalia James Brewer, Perryville Rodney George, Saint Louis Dick Brown, Liberty Donnie Gill, Waterloo, IL Steven Bruckerhoff, Elsberry Andrew Gingrich, Columbia John Brunnert, Carthage Fannie Gosche, Scott City Martin Byrn, Washington James Grass, Perryville W. Campbell, Carthage Melvin Gries, Saint Louis Ivan Carroll, Clarence Richard Haffner, Saint Louis Earl Carrow, Festus Brian Hamilton, Eureka Peggy Chappell, Sikeston Gary Hammer, Hollister Jeff Christiansen, Saint Joseph Harden, Cummins, Moss & William Clarkston, Jefferson Miller, LLC, Chillicothe City Donald Harr, Richmond

Roger Haslag, Loose Creek Vincent Henry, Wooldridge Raymond Hermon, Grandview Francis Hesse, Knob Noster Kevin Hicks, Linn Maurice Hoefer, Higginsville Mike Hoefer, Kansas City Geralyn Hoey, Austin, TX Gary Hooker, Poplar Bluff Dolores Houska, Pacific Homer Howell, Steelville Ralph Huff, Sedalia Vernon Hull, Maryland Heights Leann Ivey, Saint Louis Bill Jackson, Brunswick Joe Jackson, Marshfield Alan Jones, Saint Louis Ricky Jones, Aurora Elmer Kamp, Jackson Donald Keeling, Independence Kent Keethler, Sedalia Bob Kelley, Hillsboro Mary Kemper, Springfield Jamie Kenslow, Kansas City Karen King, Kansas City Donna Klingler, O’Fallon Deanna Kohlbrecher, Smithville Troy Krodinger, Fletcher J. C. Kuessner, Jefferson City Steve Kumke, Belleville, IL Jean Kuntz, Ashland Dave Lako, Jefferson City Raymond Lammert, Festus Dennis Leach, Festus Bill Lewis, Maplewood Kenneth Liefer, Saint Charles Becky Litherland, Fenton Steve Mahfood, Hartsburg Paul Marsh, Saint Louis Carl Marshall, Stover Felix Martin, Saint Louis

Renee Martin, Columbia Charles Mathews, Linn Mark Matthews, Saint Joseph Charles Maupin, Fulton Timothy McDowell, Kansas City Eric Merritt, Springfield Dave Meyer, Jefferson City Ivan Miller, Jamesport John Mitchell, Shawnee Mission, KS Ira Moses, Saint Louis Joseph Mueller, Saint Louis John Mutrux, Saint Louis Thomas Myers, Saint Peters Larry Nash, De Soto William Nash, Blue Springs Donnie Nichols, Warsaw James Nighsronger, Clever Michael Noah, Saint Charles Raymond Noll, Columbia E. Null, Warrensburg Mark Nussbaum, Cape Girardeau Audrey O’Reilly, Saint Louis Chet Owen, Liberty Ozark Greenways, Inc., Springfield Dan Paige, Jefferson City Harlan Palm, Columbia Todd & Betty Parnell, Springfield Claude Pauley, Boonville Michael Pelizzaro, Saint Louis Doug Pennington, Carthage Morley Plegge, Rolla Aaron Pondrom, Dixon David Poole, Elkland Clinton Prenger, Jefferson City Richard Prenger, Jefferson City Sarah Proffer, Sikeston Bruce Pyles, Rock Hill, SC

Conserve Life: SLOW DOWN More than 1,100 people die on Missouri highways each year. Don’t become a statistic. Conserve life by slowing down and by always making sure your seatbelt is buckled. BUCKLE UP 30

JANUARY 2011

WELCOME

Jerry Sanders, Cape Girardeau Lois Sandner, Clark C F M N E W M E M B E R S Timothy Saxton, Galena Gene Scheiter, Camdenton Bruce Scherder, Bowling Green R. L. Mueller National Dist.

Michael Schlueter, Saint Louis Inc., Saint Louis Robert Ramsey, Glenallen Pamela Schnebelen, Pacific Willie Ray, Festus Clyde Schulte, Saint Charles Stan Reasons, Warrenton Ronald Schwartzmeyer, Doug Rees, Jackson Arnold Theodora Rendlen, Hannibal Donald Seibel, Saint Louis Wayne Rippel, Tunas Owen Sexton, Saint Louis Kathy Shaffstall, Saint Louis Dean Rising, Springfield DeAnn Sharpless, Hillsboro Dale Roberts, Ashland Edward Simons, Washington Victor Roesch, Saint Louis Barry Smith, Saint Louis Keith Roever, Robertsville Denny Smith, Benton Lauren Ross, Paris Mark Smith, Lexington Randy Rowden, Vienna Mary Ruckdeschel, Saint Louis Wayne Smith, Odessa William Smith, Kirksville Jim Rucker, Springfield Sandra Steinmacher, WayDonald Rupp, Columbia nesville James Ryan, Kansas City

Jerome Stevens, Rhineland Daniel Stroder, Whitewater Howard Sutton, Fenton David Swinney, Kansas City Sharon Talley-Klein, Saint Louis Bob Tarrant, Florissant Jack Thomas, Saint Clair Larry Thompson, O’Fallon Lois Thornton, Saint Louis Don Tinder, Joplin Sheldon Toepke, Rocheport Robert Torp, Belton James Tucker, Boulder City, NV Clarence Tunnicliff, Saint Louis Martin & Charlene Uckstein, Gerald Michael Usery, Cedar Hill Steve Utt, Saint Louis Wayne Utt, East Alton, IL Larry Uzzell, Winfield Jeanine Vandenberg, Edwards

Maureen Vaughn, Ozark Marion Waggener, Marco Island, FL Jeff Wagner, Bethany Henry Waldschmidt, Saint Louis Norman Ward, Des Peres Jack Watkins, Belleville, IL Peter Wazlawek, Creve Coeur Rita Weber, Fulton Carolyn Wells, California Lorraine Wiedemann, Fenton Brad Wiedlocher, Saint Louis Rick Wiegand, Foley Jerome Wiggins, Ballwin David Wilkerson, Lake Winnebago Jack Woodhead, Carthage Jerry & Eve Yaekel, Fredericktown John Zeimet, Sunrise Beach John Zervas, Pevely Brad Zimmerman, New Bloomfield

2011 MDC Natural Events Calendar

MDC’s ever-popular calendar keeps you in touch with the year’s seasonal changes. Thanks to the splendid talents of contributing nature photographers, you’ll be able to enjoy wild Missouri indoors when you can’t get outdoors.

You’ll find monthly reminders of the state’s natural treasures.

Daily notes keep you posted on what’s blooming or nesting and myriad other natural phenomena.

10 X 14 • $10.00 (includes shipping) MISSOURI WILDLIFE

31

Please join CFM today to conserve our natural resources for tomorrow!

Check the membership category you prefer: $25—Individual $15—Student $30—Family $100—Sustaining $1000—Lifetime Your dues include a 1-year subscription to Missouri Wildlife, a logo sticker and a membership card.

Please mail this application with your membership dues to: Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main • Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 If you have questions, call us at 1-800-575-2322 or visit us at www.confedmo.org Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________________ State:____________________________ ZIP code: ______ Work phone: ____________________________________________ Home phone: ______________________________ Fax number: ____________________________________ E-mail address: ______________________________________

Please make checks payable to the Conservation Federation of Missouri.* If you prefer, you may charge your membership dues to your MasterCard, Visa, or Discover card.

Credit card number:________________________________________________________ Expiration date: __________ Signature of cardholder: ______________________________________________________________________________

*Note: CFM is an IRS-approved tax-exempt not-for-profit, so your donations are tax deductible.

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JANUARY 2011

If there are any errors in your name and address, if you’ve moved from this address, or if you plan to move, please notify us at Missouri Wildlife, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or call (800) 575-2322.

Visit our website: www.confedmo.org