Field Day Offered for Managing Loess Hills Timber and Prairie
Wildlife, timber and wildflowers all benefit from active management of natural areas. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a Loess Hill Timber and Prairie Field Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, at the Sean and Erin Slocum farm south of Mound City. The workshop is free and lunch will be provided by MDC.
The morning session will focus on timber stand improvement, said Jim Pierson, an MDC private land conservationist. Experts will talk about timber sales and how thinning stands can benefit tree health and improve habitat for native species such as deer and turkey. A walking tour will be held.
“Wildlife can benefit from more mast (such as acorns) for food,” Pierson, “while people can see increased profit from timber sales down the road.”
Restoring and maintaining loess hill prairies will be the focus for the afternoon session. Wind-blown glacial loess soil created steep hills bordering the Missouri River valley. Many hills were originally prairies. The hilltops have arid conditions, so many contain plants rare in Missouri that are usually found in drier lands in the West, such as soapweed yucca and dotted blazing star. The afternoon tour will showcase restoration progress on a loess hill prairie.
“Loess hill prairies are very precious,” Pierson said. “There are quite a few species found on them that you usually only see out West.”
In the absence of wildfire, loess hill prairies are often invaded by red cedar trees and non-native plants. Prescribed burns and tree removal can help native grasses and wildflowers. Deer and turkey utilize such areas, as does other wildlife.
“Loess hill prairies provide forage and hangout places for bobwhite quail, lots of songbirds and lots of butterflies,” Pierson said.
For more information or to register for the field day, call Pierson at 660-442-3173, ext. 114. For more information about conservation in Missouri, go to http://www.mdc.mo.gov.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Atchison apt fire claim's toddler's life, injures others
Four arrested for illegal activity on Kickapoo Reservation
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Wetmore man arrested on child sex-related charge
One injured in Nemaha Co wreck
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Walnut Township Treasurer removed; votes unofficial until canvass
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
TX man to stand trial on charges in fatal Jackson Co crash
Local judge files for re-election
Atchison in running for national fireworks honors
Trail rides ending at Indian Cave State Park
LATEST STORIES
Chiefs' Butker named Keynote Speaker for BC Commencement
Two stop legislative coffee talks set for Saturday
BC's Pate remembered by students, college family
Falls City Council approves permit for goats in city limits
Grant awarded to Falls City Library and Arts Center
Nebraska City man to serve on Peru State College Foundation Board
Fairfax man injured in tractor accident in Atchison County MO
Doniphan Co Commission approves zoning change