SATISFIED SUBSCRIBERS
I just wanted to thank your subscription department for the time they spent working with me on an ongoing subscription problem.
Since June, our high-school library has been having a problem getting our three monthly copies of the Conservationist. I called them and I have been contacted monthly to see if our magazines have come. Each time we didn’t receive our copies they were mailed in a special envelope.
Finally, it seems that our problem has been resolved and I just wanted you to know what a great job your subscription department did in helping me with our subscription.
Sheri Dodds, librarian
Butler Jr./Sr. High School
Editor’s note: Our circulation staff is always happy to investigate and correct subscription problems. However, we often have no way of knowing if you’re not receiving your magazine. Please contact us if you miss issues.
EXOTICS AND EDUCATORS
I do hope that Jeff Briggler and Joan McKee find time to reflect on words written in their article “Invader Alert!”, maybe in haste, and apologize to Missouri educators. I strongly believe that most educators who take the trouble of maintaining live animals in the classroom probably are doing so to teach ethical treatment of animals and various science concepts…including environmental concerns.
I am aware of ignorance in all sectors and understand the need to educate people of all ages to not release exotics. I rather doubt that teachers are the culprits to blame for the increasing numbers of exotic species.
Trish Smith, via Internet
Life Science, Warrensburg Middle School
Editor’s note: We agree with Ms. Smith that most educators strive to teach ethical treatment of animals and environmental concerns when teaching scientific concepts. We are glad she is one of those people. However, the exotic African clawed frog is marketed to educators to teach metamorphosis and it is important to warn children and educators that they need to take special care with exotic species. The article also states that many of these frogs escaped from or were released from labs or by pet owners.
Teachers who want to learn more about using native species to teach metamorphosis can request the free publication Raising Tadpoles, which tells how to legally collect and use native species in the classroom. For more information about the threat of exotic species, please ask for the free publication African Clawed Frogs—Keep Them Out of Missouri Waters! E-mail requests to pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov or write to MDC Free Publications, (publication name), P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.
MARKING TERRITORY
I read the article “CP33 pays” in the January issue and have some concern about the insert map in green on page 17. If the map goes by area codes as it appears, then someone needs to look at another map!
Dennis Millam, Clinton
Editor’s note: The regional map is not based on area codes, though some of the boundaries are similar. The divisions take into account land and water characteristics, the distribution of human populations and the practical requirements of providing services to meet local needs. Each regional office serves a group of counties with similar requirements and is staffed by experts in forestry, fisheries, wildlife, law enforcement and natural history. Regional offices are convenient starting points for Missourians to obtain access to all of the Department’s resources.
A PLEASING PORTRAIT
I’m a new subscriber to Missouri Conservationist magazine and a former writer/editor. What a splendid representative for Missouri the magazine is! The photography is always outstanding, but I gasped when I turned to “Portrait of a Predator” in the Feb. ‘06 issue. Stunning layout…a close encounter with one of the handsomest of Almighty God’s creatures. Thank you to the Conservationist staff for all your hard work.
Margaret Kraeuchi, St. Louis
The letters printed here reflect readers’ opinions about the Conservationist and its contents. Space limitations prevent us from printing all letters, but we welcome signed comments from our readers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
Ask the Ombudsman
Q: I have a Heritage Card that I need to upgrade because I’ve moved. The permits I’m getting have the wrong address.
A: MDC relies on your address information to contact you for surveys, managed hunt notification, etc., so accurate address information is important.
Basic hunting and fishing permits are valid from March 1 through the end of the following February. When you buy your permit the permit vendor can update your address and personal information. Please be sure to advise the permit vendor that a change is needed.
If you need to update your record at another time during the year, you can contact any MDC regional office or the general headquarters and provide the current information.
For more information on permits, please see Chapter 5 of the Wildlife Code.
Ombudsman Ken Drenon will respond to your questions, suggestions or complaints concerning Conservation Department programs. Write him at P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, call him at (573) 522-4115, ext. 3848, or e-mail him at <Ken.Drenon@mdc.mo.gov>.
Moving? Don’t Leave Us Behind!
We would hate for you to miss an issue of the Conservationist due to an address change. Call, write or e-mail us to keep your information up to date. Not only will you continue to receive exciting updates on fish, forest and wildlife conservation in Missouri, you’ll help us reduce spending on returned mail.
You can reach our circulation office by calling (573) 522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249; by sending e-mail to subscriptions@mdc.mo.gov, or by writing to us at P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. We look forward to hearing from you.
And More...
This Issue's Staff
Managing Editor - Nichole LeClair
Art Director - Cliff White
Artist - Dave Besenger
Artist - Mark Raithel
Photographer - Jim Rathert
Writer/editor - Tom Cwynar
Staff Writer - Jim Low
Designer - Susan Fine
Circulation - Laura Scheuler