2007

Missouri Tops in These Things from Trees

Posted by mardim on Dec 31, 2007

With all the talk about development of new technologies and tech businesses floating around, here’s a down-to-earth reminder that Missouri still has strong roots in the land.

End of the Prairie Chicken?

Posted by mardim on Dec 26, 2007

Fewer than 500 prairie chickens are left in Missouri.

1 comment

Working Together for Wildlife

Posted by mardim on Dec 21, 2007

I just got a notice from Amy Buechler that the 200th group just signed up to support Missouri’s Teaming with Wildlife Coalition: it’s the Ozarks Master Naturalist chapter in West Plains.

Eco-Friendly Fur

Posted by mardim on Dec 19, 2007

Although I’ve never personally seen a bobcat where I live, I know they’re out there.

Two New Division Chiefs

Posted by mardim on Dec 17, 2007

One of the things I mentioned in an earlier blog was how many of our agency’s staff will be retiring in the next few years, creating quite a turnover.

Snakes and Lizards Holding Their Own

Posted by mardim on Dec 14, 2007

Jeff Briggler, our herpetologist, stopped by the other day to mention the upcoming Year of the Frog.

Your Own Wreath from Nature

Posted by mardim on Dec 12, 2007

Celebrating the holiday season with the help of nature’s bounty is a comforting break from going from store to store.

When the Ice Storm Is Over: Damaged Trees

Posted by mardim on Dec 11, 2007

Hope if you’re reading this during Missouri’s current ice storm that your electricity stays on to keep you safe and warm…

Missouri Conservation Forester in World Championship

Posted by mardim on Dec 7, 2007

I just heard some great news: when the U.S. team competes in the World Logging Championship in Germany next October, Jason Jensen, a resource forester for the Missouri Conservation Department, will be on it.

Owls in the Night

Posted by mardim on Dec 5, 2007

It’s easy to get so closed up into the house on those dark winter nights that I forget to step outside, see the stars and listen to the life out there.

Celebrate with Eagle Days

Posted by mardim on Nov 28, 2007

If you haven’t had a chance to see a bald eagle on anything but TV, this is a good time to visit one of the many Eagle Day events held across Missouri.

Winter Outdoor Fun…with Trout

Posted by mardim on Nov 26, 2007

With longer nights and colder weather here, I sense that housebound feeling creeping up on me.

Turkey at the Door

Posted by mardim on Nov 21, 2007

I expected to see a turkey this week, all golden brown and featherless—not a very live bird staring in the back door...

Venison Recipes from Missouri Outdoors

Posted by mardim on Nov 19, 2007

My first taste of venison was from a friend who hunted on our place. He gave me tenderloins in return for the hunting.

2 comments

A Little Bundle Today…A Forest Tomorrow

Posted by mardim on Nov 16, 2007

If you’re a landowner interested in enhancing your woods and wildlife habitat, you can buy bundles of native tree and shrub seedlings from the Missouri Department of Conservation’s tree nursery.

2 comments

Restoring River Life: Making Mussels

Posted by mardim on Nov 14, 2007

I just heard some good news (a pleasant change from what’s often gloom and doom) about keeping our waters healthy.

Telecheck Puts Missouri Hunting on the Map

Posted by mardim on Nov 12, 2007

I love data. Maybe it’s just how my brain is wired, but whenever I can get lots of information really easily and visually, it just makes me happy.

New Learning Outdoors a Plus for Missouri Students

Posted by mardim on Nov 9, 2007

Connecting children to nature for the benefit of both is one of our major goals.

Conservation Volunteering for Fun and Family

Posted by mardim on Nov 7, 2007

Last week the Missouri Conservation Commission gave a special recognition award to Floyd Vernon Dry, a Conservation Department retiree who has volunteered more than 16,000 hours at our radio shop in Springfield.

Ghost in the Woods

Posted by mardim on Oct 31, 2007

You could say this is a stretch, but it is Halloween and a perfect time to mention one of Missouri’s spooky little plants.

3 comments

A Fun Day with Foresters

Posted by mardim on Oct 29, 2007

Josh Stevens is the Missouri Conservation forester where I live.

25 Years Connecting People and Nature

Posted by mardim on Oct 26, 2007

I went to Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center on October 20th to celebrate their 25th anniversary and was reminded of what makes these places so valuable.

2 comments

Deer Hunters Feed the Hungry

Posted by mardim on Oct 24, 2007

Let’s see. Deer hunters get to enjoy hunting, hungry families get tasty low-fat protein and deer numbers are kept in a healthy balance.

1 comment

Geese Call Autumn in Formation

Posted by mardim on Oct 22, 2007

Yesterday I sat outside enjoying what may be the last most blissful day of warm weather.

Good Time to Count Quail

Posted by mardim on Oct 19, 2007

There’s something downright appealing about quail.

Asters Make Easy Fall Color

Posted by mardim on Oct 17, 2007

As I was heading into our director’s meeting with staff in St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, the blooms of aromatic aster greeted us along the way.

What Will Global Warming Mean to Missouri?

Posted by mardim on Oct 15, 2007

I overhead someone recently saying that they’re tired of hearing about climate change—they don’t know who to trust on the subject and wish they could just know the facts.

Changing Leadership at Missouri Conservation

Posted by mardim on Oct 12, 2007

In director's meetings with Missouri Conservation employees around the state, changing leadership is a key topic.

Catch Missouri’s Youth Fall Hunting Seasons

Posted by mardim on Oct 9, 2007

Giving more young Missourians a chance to enjoy the hunting experience is a key goal of the youth hunting seasons that occur later this month.

1 comment

Keeping Missouri Clean: No MOre Trash

Posted by mardim on Sep 26, 2007

I’m disgusted. Someone dumped their trash along my road.

2 comments

Keeping Wildlife Outside Your House

Posted by mardim on Sep 24, 2007

It’s that time of year when the nights cool down and the mice, skunks, and squirrels are looking for a cozy winter home.

Help Toddlers Discover Nature

Posted by mardim on Sep 19, 2007

Anyone who wants to have an impact on keeping a healthy natural world can begin at home by introducing young children or grandchildren to the outdoors.

Drought and Deer Disease

Posted by mardim on Sep 17, 2007

The coincidence of this blog and what I found on a walk along a creek where we live is quite bizarre.

1 comment

Champion Trees in Missouri

Posted by mardim on Sep 13, 2007

I think it’s hard not to feel both humbled and uplifted when you’re standing near a very big, very old tree.

New Missouri Natural Events Calendar

Posted by mardim on Sep 12, 2007

Knowing what’s happening in the real world beyond our walls is a an increasingly rare and wonderful thing.

Get Help Before the Bear Gets Your Honey

Posted by mardim on Sep 11, 2007

Dave Hamilton, our furbearer biologist, was working last week to help spread the word on what we can do to live with black bears.

New Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center in Joplin

Posted by mardim on Sep 10, 2007

I attended the opening festivities of the new Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center in Joplin on Saturday.

See Missouri Outdoors TV on Web

Posted by mardim on Sep 7, 2007

When I started working with the Missouri Department of Conservation 23 years ago, I was lugging around heavy Nagra reel-to-reel sound recorders and 16mm Arriflex cameras to make mobile movies.

Southeast MO Youth Conservation Corps

Posted by mardim on Aug 28, 2007

I asked Phil Helfrich, community outreach specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, what’s happening with the Youth Conservation Corps that he’s been working on with such dedication for the past few years with Fisheries Biologist Chris Kennedy in Southeast Missouri.

Millions of Ducks This Year

Posted by mardim on Aug 27, 2007

Whether you’re a duck hunter or a wildlife watcher, there’s great news this year about the ducks you’re likely to see.

A Book of Bugs

Posted by mardim on Aug 24, 2007

I was showing my 84-year-old mother-in-law, Joan, the incredible book, “Show-Me Bugs,” that the Missouri Department of Conservation produced.

Farmers and Wildlife Win with CP33

Posted by mardim on Aug 23, 2007

Earning a living by crop farming has always been a challenge.

Catfish Tags Tell a Story

Posted by mardim on Aug 22, 2007

If you think we know all there is to know about the life of catfish, you’d be wrong.

Fall Migration Begins

Posted by mardim on Aug 21, 2007

The great migration of birds to warmer winter places has begun.

Shrinking Pools of Water Offer Life

Posted by mardim on Aug 20, 2007

Missouri has 56,000 miles of streams. This past spring I was exploring one of those many miles along a nearby creek and was surprised by an unusually long, skinny fish with spots on its tail. It rose up then disappeared into a deeper pool.

See Missouri Fish, Birds, Snakes & More at the State Fair!

Posted by mardim on Aug 16, 2007

How often do you get to see wondrously tended chickens, rabbits, cattle, horses and pigs alongside corn dogs, cotton candy, huge catfish, a turtle with a figure-8 shell and flowers native to Missouri?