News and Almanac

National hunt/fish Day Reaches Silver

Sept. 28 marks the 25th anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The event, established by Congress in 1971, salutes the conservation efforts of hunters and anglers nationwide.

Hunters and anglers have contributed billions of dollars to conservation through license fees and excise taxes. Their efforts have benefited all species of wildlife, not just game fish and animals.

The theme for the Silver Anniversary of NHF Day focuses on outdoor families, recognizing that hunting and fishing enthusiasm and lore is often passed from generation to generation within a family.

The Missouri Conservation Department and local hunting and fishing clubs are scheduling numerous events around the state to commemorate this special NHF Day. Check with your local Conservation Department office for details of activities in your area.

Help Available for Purple Loosestrife

The Conservation Department is helping landowners control purple loosestrife, an aggressive invader that is crowding out native plants in marshes, wet prairies and waterways.

Purple loosestrife is an exotic plant introduced to the United States in the mid 1800s. Having no natural enemies, the plant has spread throughout the Northeast and Midwest.

Although not commercially available, purple loosestrife continues to spread. A single plant can produce as many as 300,000 seeds that are carried by water, wind and animals. There are more than 40 known purple loosestrife populations in Missouri

For a color flier showing how to identify purple loosestrife, send a card to Conservation Department, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, 65102-0180. If you find purple loosestrife growing outside cultivation, call Troy LaRue at (573) 592-1400 or contact a Conservation Department office.

Field Guide Author Peterson Dies

Roger Tory Peterson, whose field guides to the natural world delighted and instructed millions, died recently in Old, Lyme, Conn. He was 87.

Peterson's career as a naturalist was launched with the 1934 publication of "A Field Guide to the Birds," in which he pioneered a field identification method now commonly used in many disciplines.

Each title in the Peterson series of more than 50 field guides was written, illustrated or edited by the famous ornithologist.

Peterson earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom and has twice been nominated for the Nobel Prize. He began drawing birds at the age of 11, after joining a Junior Audubon Club.

Prairie Foundation Celebrates 30 Years

The Missouri Prairie Foundation celebrates 30 years of successful grassroots efforts to protect the precious few acres of prairie left in the state.

Richard Manning, author of "Grassland: The History, Biology, Politics and Promise of the American Prairie" will speak at a dinner honoring the foundation founders at Shaw Arboretum Sept. 14.

For information on how you can play a part in this nonprofit organization, write to the Missouri Prairie Foundation, P.O. Box 200, Columbia, 65205.

Enjoy Prairie Day Near St. Louis

The public is invited to celebrate Prairie Day at Shaw Arboretum in Gray Summit Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Conservation Department will provide tours of the restored prairie, as well as a variety of other entertaining sights and activities. Hungry visitors will be able to buy snacks, such as buffalo burgers and kettle corn.

The Shaw Arboretum is off Interstate 44, via the Gray Summit exit. For more information, call (314) 821-8427.

Duck Callers to Vie at Old Monroe

The Old Monroe Ducks Unlimited Regional Duck Calling Contest is set for Sept. 21 at St. Mary's picnic grounds, off Highway C in Old Monroe. The town is located approximately 45 minutes northwest of downtown St. Louis.

Professional, Hunter/Amateur and Greenwing level callers can compete in this sanctioned event.

Professionals will vie for cash prizes and qualification for the 1996 World Contest. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to winners in other divisions.

The event will include a DU auction, games, food and refreshments.

For more information, contact Joanie Wilke, P.O. Box 66031, St. Paul, 63366, (314) 281-1583.

Gov. Mel Carnahan has signed a proclamation recognizing the many volunteers who help protect our state's waters. The following are some of the events and activities being held across the state during September in observance of Quality Water Month.

• Sept. 14 - "Water Quality . . . It's Mainstream" runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery Visitors Center, Highway. 165, Branson. Demonstrations, exhibits and hourly programs are scheduled. Call (417) 334-4865 for more information.
• Sept. 14 - Volunteers will clean up Burr Oak Creek from 2-4 p.m. For reservations call Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs, at (816) 228-3766, ext. 233.
• Sept. 14 - "How Do You Know If You Have Water Quality?" is the title of an event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. The event features displays on sportfishing, aquatic insects and freshwater mussels. Stream Team volunteers will show how they measure water quality. Call (314) 821-1571 for more information.
• Sept. 21 - "Aquatic Adventure," is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kansas City Zoo. The Conservation Department aquarium and aquatic touch table will be available for viewing and "hands-on" activities. Call 816 871-5751 for more information.
• Sept. 21 & 22 - Big Rivers Days events will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Clarksville. Historic reenactments, an aquarium and other attractions relating to the Mississippi River are scheduled. Call (573) 242-3132 for more information.
• Sept. 28 - Great Outdoors Day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Bois d'Arc Conservation Area and includes outdoor activities, and demonstrations. For more information call (417) 895-6880 or (417) 742 4361.
• Sept. 28 - The Family Fishing Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cosmo Bethel Park, Columbia. The event features fishing and related activities. Call (573) 526-5544 for more information.