WHAT IS A NATURAL AREA?

Much of Missouri's original landscape no longer exists. But thanks to the Missouri Natural Areas System some examples of it are being preserved and protected. Natural areas are important benchmarks to evaluate environmental change and serve as reservoirs of the state biological diversity. Additionally, natural areas provide opportunities for scientific study as well as educational, cultural, and recreational uses. Through protection from development and by managing to preserve the natural characteristics of the areas, the best examples of natural communities are preserved. Natural areas often provide essential habitat for rare and endangered plants and animals.

The Missouri Natural Areas Committee is an interagency committee, consisting of representatives of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, and the National Park Service which coordinate the classification, inventory, designation, and stewardship of natural areas in Missouri. Natural areas are owned by a variety of public agencies as well as private concerns.

The Mark Twain National Forest has a wide selection of natural areas, representing fens, sinkhole ponds, glades, forests and aquatic communities.

HANEY POND NATURAL AREA

Haney Pond is one of only three examples in Missouri of a rare forested acid seep natural community. Forested acid seeps are seasonally wet basins fed by acid groundwater. Carbonic acid forms in the ground water when rain water passes through decaying vegetation. This very mild acid is the very same one that gives fizz to soda.

The forested acid seep community supports sedges, mosses, and other plants adapted to these circumstances. Located in a shallow sinkhole depression, Haney Pond has another unusual feature in that its canopy is dominated by sweetgum trees, a tree whose main range does not include this area. Within the boundaries of the natural area there is also a small pond shrub swamp community, a type of plant community that is endangered in Missouri.

POND SHRUB SWAMP

The small, round pond swamp can be as deep as 1.5 feet, but is sometimes dry. Not many species grow here, but rose mallow and buttonbush occur in the center.

BELLEVUE TRAIL

The historic Bellevue Trail crosses the natural area. Once a major north-south travel corridor through this part of Missouri, it was used by explorers and settlers of the Irish Wilderness.

WILDLIFE AT HANEY POND

Upland sinkhole ponds and seeps occur on dry ridges making them important oases for all wildlife. Around sunrise or dusk, you may see deer coming to drink. Watch and listen for wild turkey. Since most sinkhole ponds and seeps are fishless, they are important breeding habitat for amphibians; listen for frogs and toads calling and watch for salamanders.

OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Owned and managed by USDA Forest Service, Mark Twain National Forest - Doniphan Ranger District.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS

Hunting, fishing, collection of plants or animals, and vehicular traffic are prohibited. Enjoy all other recreational activities allowed on the National Forest.

ADDITIONAL NATURAL AREAS

You may wish to visit nearby natural areas on the same day. Listed below are Mark Twain National Forest, National Park Service, and Missouri Department of Conservation natural areas. For more information on a particular site, check ownership and contact the Forest Service District Ranger office, National Park Service - Ozark National Scenic Riverways, or the Department of Conservation Wildlife District Supervisor in the town listed.

Cupola Pond-----------------------USFS-------------Winona, MO
Cowards Hollow------------------USFS-------------Doniphan, MO
Big Barren Creek-----------------USFS-------------Doniphan, MO
Wells Branch Fen----------------USFS-------------Doniphan, MO
Marg Pond-------------------------USFS-------------Winona, MO
Overcup Oak Sink----------------USFS-------------Winona, MO
Mill Mountain----------------------NPS--------------Van Buren, MO
Cardareva Bluff-------------------NPS/MDC-------Van Buren, MO

SIZE, LOCATION, AND ACCESS

Sixty-eight acres (pond plus buffer zone) in Oregon County. Portions of sections 31 and 36, T25N, R2W, Handy 7.5 topographical quadrangle. From Doniphan go west on U.S. 160 to state highway J. North on J approximately 8 miles, passing Camp Five Pond, to forest road 3224 on the right. Travel 0.5 of a mile on 3224 to the old Bellevue Trail on the left. A short distance down the trail you will find the forested acid seep and Haney Pond just beyond. Watch for natural area signs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Forest Supervisor
401 Fairgrounds Road
Rolla, MO 65401
(314 364-4621 TTY

Doniphan Ranger District
1004 Walnut
Doniphan, MO 63935
(314) 966-2153 TTY