Ozark Region Conservation Priorities

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Ozark Highlands of Missouri are an ancient landscape of a highly weathered plateau. The region was once a land of extensive forests on steep hills and river valleys. The land was cloaked with shortleaf pine and various oaks. Away from the rivers, grasslands and open woodlands with an abundant growth of grasses and wildflowers were common. The beautiful streams of the region, some fed by many springs, had remarkable clarity.

(left) Shut-ins at Mill Mountain Natural Area, Shannon County

The Ozark Region was once home to an abundance of wildlife, especially forest species like squirrels, wild turkeys and deer. Ruffed grouse were common and black bears roamed the woodlands. The rivers, with their clear, clean water, supported an abundance of native fish species.

During settlement by Europeans in the 1880s, loggers harvested much of the region's pine, and oaks became the dominant tree species. In the 1920s, the overall condition of natural resources in the Ozarks hit a low point. Years of reckless burning, poor forest management and open range grazing created a landscape of limited wildlife and forest resources.

THE REGION TODAY

The Ozarks currently has a rich bounty of fish, forest and wildlife resources, much of it available to the public. Private and public conservation efforts have restored forest cover to two-thirds of the region. Although it was much more heavily forested in the late 1800s, even today more than half is in forest cover. There are 1,300 miles of streams, with annual visitation of 1.5 million people on the Current and Jack's Fork rivers alone.

One-fourth of the region is owned and managed by public agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

(left) Hunter education class

The Conservation Department owns and manages 223,000 acres of land in the Ozark Region, and has an incredible opportunity to restore and protect the diversity of natural communities that exist here. Conservation Department facilities include 49 conservation areas, 22 river accesses, three community lakes and 43 natural areas (more than any other region in the state).

The public enjoys fishing and floating at many Conservation Department river access sites, target shooting at range facilities, hiking and hunting on most conservation areas and horseback riding on designated trails. Our goal is to serve the public through the protection, management and improvement of the fish, forest and wildlife resources of the Ozark Region. Education about the resource is important as well as enforcing the Wildlife Code and Missouri laws.

We want to improve access to the high-quality streams and rivers in the region, and are planning new access sites. We plan to add firearms and archery shooting ranges and to construct ponds for fishing on several of our areas. We propose adding facilities for disabled users at several sites; these include accessible boat ramps and privies, fishing docks and trails.

(right) North Fork River, Ozark county

Natural areas are lands designated as the best examples of biological communities in the state, permanently protected and managed for the purpose of preserving their natural qualities. Examples are caves, springs, glades and savannas. These communities are prime sites for scientific study and for the education of school and youth groups. We plan improvements on existing natural areas that range from conducting controlled burns to controlling invading exotic plants, and we will nominate additional sites for natural area status.

REGIONAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES

Conservation Lands

The Conservation Department strives to lead by example through stewardship of the fish, forest and wildlife resources on conservation areas.

Projected 10-year management priorities include:

• Increase recreational opportunities-from hunting to hiking.
• Add limited critical acres to existing conservation areas.
• Restore diverse bottomland forest communities.
• Restore declining or extirpated species such as collared lizards, ospreys and pondberry.
• Inventory riparian corridors along Ozark streams and list sites on conservation areas for restoration.
• Protect and restore unique features such as sinkhole ponds, springs, fens, acid seeps and spring branches.
• Increase educational opportunities for youngsters and adults alike.
• Restore and maintain savanna and glade communities.
• Manage natural areas, and designate new natural areas on public lands.
• Protect sites that harbor rare and endangered species.
• Conduct forest management on increased acres of forest.
• Increasing scientific research and monitoring of natural resources to improve management.

Private Lands

With roughly three quarters of the Ozark Region in private ownership, the Conservation Department strives to engage citizens in resource stewardship by offering various services including technical and financial management assistance.

Projected 10-year management priorities include:

• Promote wildlife-friendly management.
• Encourage commercial timber harvesters to attend the Professional Timber Harvesters Program.
• Maintain the level of forested acreage and help landowners keep their forests healthy and diverse.
• Reduce the number of wildfires.
• Promote the conservation of high quality natural communities.
• Promote native warm season grasses and management.
• Teach the safe and responsible use of controlled fire.
• Improve the quality of water and habitat along streams throughout the region.
• Encourage the formation of more Stream Teams in the region, targeting overlooked streams.
• Improve awareness of available private land assistance programs.

(right)Controlled burn, Peck Ranch Conservaation Area, Carter County

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The Missouri Department of Conservation is constitutionally responsible for the "...control, management, restoration, conservation and regulation of the bird, fish, game, forestry and all wildlife resources of the state..." This publication serves as a brief summary of the management priorities for the next decade in the Ozark Region.

CONSERVATION PRIORITIES

Priorities Include:

1. Assisting private landowners to improve their land for wildlife, fish and forests.
2. Increasing management efforts on public conservation areas; and
3. Working with other government agencies and non-government organizations to improve fish, forest and wildlife resources.
4. Educating citizens about the value and use of the natural resources of the region.
   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information on the Conservation Department's programs and services in the Ozark Region, contact:

Missouri Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 138
618 Preacher Roe Blvd.
West Plains MO 65775

Reach us by phone at 417/256-7161, or by fax at 417/256-0429.