2008

When Beavers Take Your Trees

Posted by lanahk on Dec 29, 2008

The note on the Natural Events Calendar for Dec. 23 was “beavers feed on sapling reserves.”

Birds Beat Cold the Same Old Way

Posted by lanahk on Dec 23, 2008

As I sat in front of the fireplace last weekend and listened to winds gusting in a 2-degree day, I tried to imagine what it was like to live in Missouri 4,000 years ago.

Christmas Tree - When the Weather is Frightful

Posted by lanahk on Dec 11, 2008

It’s time to get out and find just the right tree for the holidays.

1 comment

Award for Recycling at Conservation Center

Posted by lanahk on Dec 3, 2008

I don’t know many people whose skills extend from car mechanic to science teacher, hunter education instructor, manager of a conservation education center and now recycler extraordinaire.

New Videos Help Fight Invasive Species

Posted by lanahk on Nov 26, 2008

I just received a notice of a new video, available online, that’s aimed at helping outdoors people identify and fight invasive species.

Widget Your Way to Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl Maps

Posted by lanahk on Nov 21, 2008

Last year I noted the handy new map on our website that showed deer harvest totals by county.

Toy Award: Sticks to You!

Posted by lanahk on Nov 20, 2008

Creative play for children doesn’t require expensive toys. In fact, the Toy Hall of Fame recently announced one of the new winners…the stick.

Keeping Safe Hunting in Treestands

Posted by lanahk on Nov 13, 2008

Just a reminder as people head out to the fields and forests this year for deer season—one careless moment can be devastating.

Woolly Worms, Winter & Climate Change

Posted by lanahk on Nov 4, 2008

About this time each year I see woolly worms wherever I go.

Keeping Our Outdoor Heritage Alive

Posted by lanahk on Oct 26, 2008

Brisk autumn air is finally here! In the next few months, hundreds of thousands of Missourians will be taking to the woods and fields to enjoy it in all sorts of ways.

2 comments

Wildlife Watching Generates Billions

Posted by lanahk on Oct 17, 2008

Who would think that watching birds at the backyard feeder or going farther afield to catch sight of an eagle or falcon might generate billions of dollars?

New Indoor Archery Range at Linn Tech

Posted by lanahk on Oct 8, 2008

I attended the opening of a new indoor archery and air rifle range this week at Linn State Technical College.

Missouri Conservation Folks to the Rescue from Floods and Fires

Posted by lanahk on Sep 30, 2008

The recent return of six Missouri conservation agents from flood-damaged communities in Louisiana reminded me of the brave actions that goes on largely out of sight and out of the minds of most of us.

National Hunting and Fishing Day

Posted by lanahk on Sep 26, 2008

I just wrote about Take a Child Outside Week a few days ago. Well, this is the week to celebrate the outdoors in a number of ways! Since 1972, the fourth Saturday of September has been National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Take a Child Outside Week

Posted by lanahk on Sep 23, 2008

It should really be “Take a Child Outside Year” but a week is a good start. Ideally, children should be able to spend time outdoors in nature close to home and on their own. But as Richard Louv noted in his book “Last Child in the Woods,” that’s less and less likely to happen without some conscious effort.

Ripe Pawpaws - If You Can Find Them!

Posted by lanahk on Sep 12, 2008

Yesterday, Bonnie and Bernadette (two of our editors and slow food enthusiasts) picked some pawpaw fruits from the trees in one of the courtyards at our office.

2 comments

2008 Missouri Waterfowl-Hunting Forecast

Posted by lanahk on Sep 5, 2008

It looks like the dramatic flooding this past year will impact Missouri waterfowl hunting opportunities in a variety of ways.

Bye Hummingbirds, Hello Teal

Posted by lanahk on Sep 2, 2008

As I watched the birds gather and dive bomb each other at my hummingbird feeder yesterday, I noticed that they actually looked pudgy.

Missouri Dove Hunting '08

Posted by lanahk on Aug 29, 2008

I’m looking at the calendar, and Sept. 1 is near. For students that means back to school, but for Missouri hunters that marks the opening of dove season and the first of the fall hunting seasons to come.

2 comments

The Way to Better Shotgun Skills

Posted by lanahk on Aug 22, 2008

Part of being a good hunter means honing your skills so every shot you take counts. With the cost of ammunition rising, the incentive to do that just keeps growing too.

Hunters and Anglers Double Dollars for Wildlife and Fish

Posted by lanahk on Aug 13, 2008

Who doesn’t like a bargain? If you donate to conservation or other causes you support, you most likely get offers to double those dollars now and then because some generous donor has agreed to a match.

Missouri Students Win in Environthon

Posted by lanahk on Aug 7, 2008

Exciting news just arrived that the team of five Missouri students from Parkway North High School placed 2nd in the Canon Envirothon held in Arizona this year. Each will receive a $4,000 scholarship.

2 comments

Update on Prairie Chickens' Return

Posted by lanahk on Aug 5, 2008

The latest news is good. As of yesterday, Max Alleger reports that 40 prairie chickens (hens and chicks) have successfully made the move from Kansas to Missouri, with a little help from the Conservation crew of trappers and transporters.

Emerald Ash Borer Found in Missouri!

Posted by mardim on Jul 29, 2008

A few weeks ago I mentioned what people can do to keep some invasive species out of Missouri.

Prairie Chickens Coming Home to Roost

Posted by mardim on Jul 24, 2008

It’s hard to imagine, but just 60 years ago, wild deer, turkey, eagles and geese were all rare in Missouri.

1 comment

My Big Fat Bullfrogs

Posted by mardim on Jul 21, 2008

Those loud, belching-croak sounds coming from my pond suggest an army of bullfrogs has appeared out of nowhere.

Singing Insects

Posted by mardim on Jul 14, 2008

Summer is about to sizzle.

In Search of Wild Raspberries

Posted by mardim on Jul 8, 2008

Last weekend was the perfect time to stroll along the edge of the woods for two reasons.

Ditch the Invasive Hitchhikers

Posted by mardim on Jul 1, 2008

Camping and boating travelers beware!

Native Landscaping for Wildlife and People

Posted by mardim on Jun 30, 2008

A reporter recently told me that the word “landscaping” appeals more to people today than “gardening” because it sounds like less work.

1 comment

July 1 An Important Date For Fall Hunters

Posted by Tim Smith on Jun 26, 2008

If you’re a fall hunter like I am and you purchased your Missouri small-game hunting permit in early March, you may want to make additional permit purchases soon.

What’s This Thing in My Yard?

Posted by Tim Smith on May 29, 2008

Every spring I get a few contacts about a strange object in someone’s yard.

Gift of Lifetime of Hunting and Fishing

Posted by mardim on May 27, 2008

I was joking with Warren Rose (Missouri Conservation Department’s Outreach and Education regional supervisor based in Springfield) about whether he had gotten a postcard reminding him to buy his fishing license.

1 comment

What Is That Blob Outside?

Posted by mardim on May 22, 2008

With the wet spring we’ve had (3 to 5 inches of rain above normal February to April in many Missouri counties), it’s no surprise that unusual things are growing out there.

1 comment

Prize for Your Native Plants in a Pot

Posted by mardim on May 19, 2008

This time of year is my favorite when it comes to gardening.

When Climate Change Is Close to Home

Posted by mardim on May 15, 2008

It seems that global warming/climate change is less of interest to most Missourians than is clean water close to home.

New Leaders at Missouri Conservation Department

Posted by mardim on May 9, 2008

I was sad to see three key leaders and friends at the Conservation Department leave recently (one into a new job elsewhere and two into blissful retirement).

Attracting Bright Orange Birds to Your Feeder

Posted by mardim on Apr 28, 2008

For eye-popping color, it’s hard to beat Baltimore orioles (called northern orioles for a while, then back to the earlier name).

First Grant for Missouri National Archery in the Schools

Posted by mardim on Apr 24, 2008

It may be a small school with just 51 students, but Shawnee R-III didn’t let that hold them back— they’re the first school to receive the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program grant offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation and Conservation Federation of Missouri.

New Conservation Education Center Opens in the Ozarks

Posted by mardim on Apr 21, 2008

A new gem of a place, Twin Pines Conservation Education Center, held its grand opening Saturday, April 19.

Why Missouri Native Seed?

Posted by mardim on Apr 17, 2008

Nothing works better than native plants when it comes to creating a healthy landscape.

Spring Wildflowers Popping Up

Posted by mardim on Apr 11, 2008

This is my favorite time of year when finally I start seeing new life pop up in the woods, along the streams, across the fields.

Past Springs Hurt Missouri’s Turkey Numbers Today

Posted by mardim on Apr 8, 2008

Although Missouri still ranks as one of best states in number of wild turkeys, those numbers are down, according to Missouri Conservation Resource Scientist Tom Dailey.

Planting 120,000 Trees for Missouri Arbor Day

Posted by mardim on Apr 4, 2008

Plant a tree! Friday, April 4 is Missouri Arbor Day.

2 comments

Quail Top the Charts in Scott County

Posted by mardim on Mar 27, 2008

Across the southeastern United States, bobwhite quail have been increasingly rare to see in the past few decades.

Grant Helps Missouri Community Trees

Posted by mardim on Mar 21, 2008

With all the storms and damage to trees in the past two years, many Missouri towns and cities face unusually big challenges when it comes to keeping their trees alive and thriving.

No Bones about It: Prehistoric Paddlefish

Posted by mardim on Mar 18, 2008

The paddlefish is one very weird and ancient kind of fish.

Spring Peepers Calling

Posted by mardim on Mar 15, 2008

You might think I’ve gone overboard on animal calls the past few weeks.

Counting Missouri Turkey Gobbles for Fun and a Prize

Posted by mardim on Mar 11, 2008

Looking for an excuse to listen to the sounds of spring this year?

Rods, Guns and Wild Roses

Posted by mardim on Mar 6, 2008

When I started working for the Conservation Department, I felt a sense of being at home with people who deeply enjoyed nature and the outdoors as much as I did.

Listen for the Sound of Spring: Woodcocks

Posted by mardim on Mar 4, 2008

Before the new green appears, sounds mark the first signs of spring.

Leap into Year of the Frog

Posted by mardim on Feb 29, 2008

Leap Day is the perfect day to jump on the Year of the Frog bandwagon.

Muck Suckers of the River Bottom Rise Again?

Posted by mardim on Feb 27, 2008

Life can be tough for a fish that may live 100 years, isn’t sexually mature until it’s 20 years old or more and feeds by sucking in worms, leeches, crayfish and fish at the bottom of rivers or lakes.

Conservation Leadership Corps in Action

Posted by mardim on Feb 22, 2008

I’m here today at the meeting of the Conservation Leadership Corps.

Shoulder to Shoulder at Trout Opener

Posted by mardim on Feb 19, 2008

When I picture “trout fishing,” it’s often an image of a person alone in a remote stream.

Life Blooms Despite the Cold

Posted by mardim on Feb 15, 2008

It was another windy, cold winter day.

Matures, Boomers, Gen-X and Millenials Mix it Up

Posted by mardim on Feb 11, 2008

Changes in style and outlook from one generation to the next is nothing new.

1 comment

Commission Presents Top Hunter Education Awards

Posted by mardim on Feb 6, 2008

The state’s top Hunter Education Instructor awards were presented by Commission Chair Chip McGeehan to two amazingly dedicated individuals at last week’s meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission.

Missouri’s 15 Million Acres of Woods

Posted by mardim on Feb 4, 2008

Missouri has a wealth of woods—15 million acres in fact. There actually are more trees today than there were 50 years ago.

1 comment

Why Volunteer for Hunter Education?

Posted by lanahk on Feb 2, 2008

“If all my hours of volunteering prevent one hunting accident, then it’s worth it. Plus, I have a group of instructors that work with me and together we make it happen." Mark Burns, 2008 Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Award winner.

3 comments

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