Sept. 2007 - Volume 68, Issue 9
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In this issue
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Thirty Years for Missouri's Natural Areas continued...
Little Bean Marsh Natural Area
416 acres in Platte County
816-655-6250
Marsh, slough and bottomland forest rich in wetland wildlife in the Missouri River floodplain between Kansas City and St. Joseph. One and a quarter miles of disabled-accessible paved trail, viewing blind and viewing tower.
Driving Directions: Thirty miles north of Kansas City. From the town of Iatan on Highway 45, drive approximately three miles north. From the highway, turn west at the sign and follow the gravel road that ends at the trailhead and parking lot.
Maple Woods Natural Area
18 acres in Clay County
816-655-6250
Old-growth oak-maple forest in the Kansas City Metro Area. The area has a network of natural-surface hiking trails. The Conservation Department owns this land, and the City of Gladstone manages the site.
Driving Directions: Take I-435 to Highway 152. Go west on Highway 152 for 1.8 miles and turn south onto Route 1 for 0.5 mile, then turn west onto 80th Street. Look for the sign on the corner and follow this road, which becomes 76th Street, south and west 0.7 mile to the parking lot on the south side.
La Petite Gemme Prairie Natural Area
37 acres in Polk County
417-895-6880
Tallgrass prairie, just south of Bolivar, that is bisected by the Frisco Highline Trail (36-mile Springfield to Bolivar biking/hiking trail, www.friscohighlinetrail.org or 417-864-2015) at mile marker 32. Owned by the Missouri Prairie Foundation (www.moprairie.org or 573-356-7828) and managed by the Conservation Department.
Driving Directions: Go south from Bolivar on Highway 13 and exit to the west at the Highway 13 and Business Highway 13 (Highway 83) interchange. Take the Outer Road south 0.6 mile to East 473rd road; go west on East 473rd road for nearly a mile to the parking lot on the south side.
Diamond Grove Prairie Natural Area
570 acres in Newton County
417-895-6880
Tallgrass prairie close to Joplin, rich in wildflowers and prairie birds.
Driving Directions: From the town of Diamond, go four miles west on Route V, then turn north onto a gravel county road for 1.25 miles to the parking lot on the east side.
Stegall Mountain Natural Area
3,872 acres in Carter County
417-256-7161
Ozark glades, expansive woodlands and deep hollows traversed by over six miles of the Ozark Trail. Area owned by the Conservation Department, the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy.
Driving Directions: Located within Peck Ranch Conservation Area. From the junction of Highway 19 and Route H in Winona, travel east five miles on Route H to the entrance sign, then east on County Road 311 (gravel) for approximately 5.75 miles. Before the gravel road heads south down the hill, look to the north side of the road for a parking lot and Ozark Trail trailhead. Best access is by the Ozark Trail (Ozark Trail Coordinator, 800-334-6946).
Paint Brush Prairie Natural Area
74 acres in Pettis County
660-530-5500
Tallgrass prairie south of Sedalia with many wildflowers, regal fritillary butterflies and prairie birds.
Driving Directions: From the intersection of Highway 65 and Route B in Sedalia, drive approximately nine miles south on Highway 65. Then turn east on Manila Road (gravel) for about 400 feet to a parking lot on the north side.
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.
