News-making conservation issues showcased at MDC Discovery Center

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News from the region
Kansas City
Published Date
09/11/2013
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Kansas City, Mo. – The Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center will host a series of evening lectures focused on saving two endangered species in Missouri and trying to keep one invasive species at bay.

Efforts by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to restore the state’s endangered greater prairie chicken flocks have shown promise in recent years. Max Alleger, an MDC grassland bird coordinator, will discuss the program on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Alleger will talk about the habitat management and technology used to help this iconic bird, once common during pioneer days even in the Kansas City metro area.

The emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that can kill ash trees. MDC Urban Forester Wendy Sangster will talk about the borer’s invasion of the Kansas City metro area on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Sangster will discuss preventative treatments and alternative trees for future landscape plantings.

MDC Herpetologist Jeff Briggler on Tuesday, Nov. 19, will speak about his award winning efforts to help endangered hellbender salamanders that live in the Ozark streams of southeast Missouri.

All presentations will be held at the MDC  Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave. A reception will begin with light hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. and the presentations start at 7 p.m.

For more information, call 816-759-7300 or visit mdc.mo.gov/discoverycenter.