Sept. 2007 - Volume 68, Issue 9
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Thirty Years for Missouri's Natural Areas
Visit a designated natural area near you!
When I tell people that I’m the natural areas coordinator for the Missouri Department of Conservation, they often ask me, “Aren’t all woods and prairies natural areas?”
The term “natural area” can be a bit confusing. Missouri’s designated natural areas protect the best available examples of Missouri’s prairies, forests, glades, savannas, woodlands, wetlands, cliffs, caves and streams. Although we have many natural areas throughout Missouri, designated natural areas within the Natural Areas System might be considered the “cream of the crop” of natural communities.
A Network of Natural Gems
Back in 1977, forward-thinking folks from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources created a partnership called the Missouri Natural Areas Committee. The charge of this committee was to identify, designate and recommend management of the best remaining examples of Missouri’s natural communities.
The Natural Areas System has grown from 43 natural areas 30 years ago to more than 180 natural areas today, with 86 owned by the Missouri Conservation Department. The success of the Missouri Natural Areas System has resulted from a partnership of local, state and federal government agencies, private conservation organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, and private landowners in recognizing and conserving high-quality natural communities as designated Missouri natural areas.
About This Article
Author
MIKE LEAHY is the natural areas coordinator for the Conservation Department. He and his wife, Carol Davit, and their son, Jamie, live in Jefferson City. They enjoy hiking, birding, botanizing, gardening and playing in streams.
Photographer
Department of Conservation photographer NOPPADOL PAOTHONG discovered his love and passion for wildlife photography in college in 1995. Born in Thailand, he came to the United States in 1993 to study graphic art before switching to journalism. He has worked as a full-time photographer at the Joplin Globe and the Springfield News-Leader, and has achieved more than 60 regional and national awards.
