Letters

A Good Turn

The article in the July issue of the Conservationist concerning the Boy Scout program [page 27] was nothing short of top notch.

Having grown up in Scouting (Eagle Scout) and now a troop and district leader in the program, I can attest to the conservation-minded practices that so enrich the Scouting program.

Having been the camp director for two Cub Scout Adventure Camps in the recent past, I was very pleased with the Department of Conservation and the support they offered.

The number of young people that are learning the joys of fishing and hunting seems to be down. The number of boys in the Scouting program is also down. These facts are so distressing considering that we are living in a time when the Scouting program can be such a benefit to our youth.

Maybe with the continued efforts of the Scouting program along with the assistance of MDC we can increase the numbers of young men that will become true outdoorsmen.

Greg Rudroff, Farmington

Raptor Rehabers

My father, Mark Vogt, worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation as a towerman for over 35 years. As children, we were taught the importance of respect for wildlife and the laws of conservation. Though my father has since passed, my husband, Steve, continues with these same beliefs.

An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he keeps a watchful eye out for wildlife. With the assistance of a program called Raptor Rehab, he has helped to save and release three injured owls back into their natural environment.

Recently, on a trip through Buffalo, he came upon an owl [caught in a barbwire fence]. It took Steve about 45 minutes to free it because of its wounds. We turned the owl over to the very capable hands of the Raptor Rehab team, where after examination, it will be returned to the wild.

I am grateful that there is a program like this available, and I’m proud of my husband for the respect and love he shares for the outdoors and all the wonder it holds.

M. Kay Hickman, Barnett

Editor’s note: To learn more about the Raptor Rehabilitation Project at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, or to report an injured raptor, call the College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital at (573) 882-7821. You can also visit their Web site.

Back to the Future

Sour Water, the 1957 article featured in the July Time Capsule (page 33), was actually based on Cedar Creek, rather than Dodge Creek as written. The name was intentionally changed in the article to avoid difficulties with the local coal company.

For 50 years, Cedar Creek was drastically impaired. It took over $5 million dollars and the hard work of many people to restore ecological value to Cedar Creek, which thousands of local residents, including visitors to U.S. Forest Service lands, can now enjoy. It is considered a great example of what mine reclamation projects can accomplish.

The Department of Natural Resources did most of the work using federal funds, but MDC has been deeply involved from the beginning.

The author, Robert Hartmann, is very pleased that the creek has been restored and is again populated with fish.

Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity.