Wildlife
Management Services Wildlife
Management ServicesTechnical help with wildlife and fisheries habitat improvement, as well as woodland resource management on your farm, is available from several agencies. This assistance is free of charge, and some financial help may be available if certain requirements are met.
These agencies, their field representatives and the services they provide are described below.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is responsible for managing the forest, fishery and wildlife resources of the state. All of the field personnel serve multi-county areas, with the exception of the conservation agents. Field personnel may be contacted locally or by writing to the
Missouri Department of Conservation
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO
65102-0180.
Conservation agents
A
conservation agent is assigned to each county. If you do not know your conservation
agent, contact the sheriff’s office or University Outreach and Extension
office, or write to the above address.
Conservation agents enforce the rules and regulations of the Wildlife Code, including Missouri’s trespass laws.
Conservation agents also assist private landowners with wildlife, fisheries and forest management. For example, they give on-the-farm habitat recommendations, provide application forms for fish stocking of private lakes and distribute seeds for wildlife food plots. Agents also are the contact persons for assistance with wildlife damage. If a request for assistance is outside the agents’ expertise, they will refer the interested person to the appropriate Department specialist. Educating the public about Missouri’s wildlife and fisheries resources and their regulation is a major part of conservation agents’ job. Agents frequently give presentations to groups and appear on radio and television programs. They focus much of their effort on hunter education classes.
Private land conservationists
These professionals can provide advice on a wide variety of land management objectives, including stream bank stabilization, hay and grazing systems, livestock watering systems and soil erosion control. At the landowners request, they also can make recommendations on pond, forest, wildlife and natural community management, and can help with wildlife that are a nuisance or causing property damage. These private land conservationists, who have special training in one discipline, call on other Conservation Department, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and University of Missouri Outreach and Extension specialists as the need arises.
Private land conservationists meet with landowners one-on-one, hold workshops and give presentations to farmers’ organizations, civic clubs and conservation organizations. They also provide technical support to agricultural education instructors on wildlife projects.
District & urban foresters
These foresters, who have multi-county assignments, can help you manage your valuable forest land. Services include: tree planting and harvesting information, woodland wildlife management, timber stand improvement, timber sales advice, information on tree insect and disease control, and other related assistance.
Fisheries management biologists
These biologists provide technical help in management of private impoundments and streams. They give advice and assistance to landowners with regard to pond stocking, aquatic weed control, water-quality improvement, fish-population management, streambank stabilization and revegetation, and other aspects of fisheries management.
Wildlife management & urban biologists
These biologists are wildlife management specialists. At a landowner’s request, they will make recommendations for improving wildlife habitat to meet the owner’s conservation goals. They are particularly knowledgeable about the ways that farming systems, wildlife management and government agricultural programs can blend together productively.
Wildlife damage biologists
These specialists can help you deal with problem wildlife. Due to multi-county assignments, they are available by appointment only. They teach wildlife-control techniques to landowners who are experiencing significant wildlife damage. Arrangements for this service can be made by contacting your local conservation agent.
University
Outreach and Extension, formerly called Missouri Cooperative Extension Service,
provides technical assistance on a broad range of agricultural projects. These
offices have a wide selection of printed material available on various aspects
of agriculture, forestry, horticulture, home economics, wildlife conservation
and wildlife damage to property and crops. Your University Outreach and Extension
office also will do soil testing and help you interpret the results.
University Outreach and Extension has agricultural advisors stationed at many locations throughout the state. They work individually with farmers or give presentations to groups on agricultural topics.
Your county office is listed in the yellow pages under “Government Offices—County.” It often is listed as “University Outreach and Extension, University of Missouri.”
The
Farm Service Agency, or FSA, is a unit of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
FSA works closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the administration
of USDA programs that provide loans, price support, cost sharing and other ways
to assist landowners financially with approved conservation practices. On the
local level, FSA is assisted by a committee of landowners to ensure programs
meet both federal policy and local needs.
This agency may offer several types of programs that can assist landowners in providing food, cover, tree plantings and water for wildlife through cost-sharing and incentive programs.
Note: Cost-share or incentive programs vary from year to year, depending upon available federal revenues. Landowners should check with the various agencies concerning available programs and their individual sign-up dates.
Your local FSA office is normally listed in the white pages of your telephone directory under “United States Government—Agriculture, Department of—Farm Service Agency.” Usually, this office is located in the same building with the local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The
Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS, is a unit of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture. NRCS is responsible for the technical aspects of USDA programs,
and works closely with the Farm Service Agency in the administration of these
programs. Local NRCS personnel can assist in developing conservation plans that
detail the practices necessary to protect your land from erosion, improve water
quality and create better fish and wildlife habitat. They also make forage and
crop management recommendations, help with the design of terraces, waterways
and ponds, and suggest plant species that best meet your resource needs. Your
local NRCS office is listed in the telephone book white pages under “United
States Government— Agriculture, Department of—Natural Resources Conservation
Service.”
The
Soil and Water Conservation District, or SWCD, is a local organization under
the Soil and Water District Commission of the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources. Each district is guided by an elected volunteer board of directors,
made up of local landowners. Local district boards usually employ a manager
and one or more technicians who assist the Natural Resources Conservation Service
field staff. The districts administer state cost-share conservation programs
with assistance from the Department of Natural Resources and NRCS. In conjunction
with NRCS, SWCD supports various resource conservation activities; and in many
districts, the agency provides conservation education to local schools. Many
SWCD offices also participate in cooperative cost-share programs with the Missouri
Department of Conservation. Your local SWCD office will usually have the same
telephone number as the NRCS office.
The
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, is involved in environmental
and resource-related issues. This state department deals with energy, mineral
resources, soil and water conservation, and the state’s historic heritage.
DNR administers any funds appropriated by the legislature for the use or benefit
of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This agency also runs soil surveys,
administers a soil and water conservation cost-share program, and manages grants-to-districts
programs. Some of this grant and cost-share money is made available by the Missouri
Department of Conservation to encourage wildlife habitat improvement practices.
For information on these practices, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation
District office.
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