Healthy Forests

Our Glorious Forests

Maple Woods NA

• Size: 39.30 acres
• Location: Gladstone in Clay County
• Highlights: Locally known for fall color, good birding and Maple Woods Nature Trail
• Find more info: Call (816) 759-7300 or visit our online atlas, key words "Maple Woods"
  

The glory of Missouri’s forests is never more apparent than during fall. Take Maple Woods Natural Area, for example. Managed in cooperation with the City of Gladstone in the greater Kansas City area, Maple Woods lives up to its name, featuring a mature forest of sugar maple and oak. Both these species blaze with color during September and October, dazzling the eye and lifting the spirit. In the fall, Maple Woods provides habitat for resident birds, such as woodpeckers and flickers, which may be glimpsed or heard along the area’s 1.4-mile nature trail. Whether you live close by or plan to be in the Kansas City area this fall, be sure to take a stroll through this natural oasis. To find other nearby forested conservation and natural areas, use our online atlas.

State Logger Award

Ron Tuttle is acknowledged for his outstanding work.

Proving that sustainable harvesting methods matter, Ron Tuttle has won the Department of Conservation’s 2007 State Logger Award. A trained professional logger with 20 years of experience, Ron earned the award by meeting several criteria, including good working relationships with landowners and foresters, prevention of soil erosion and addressing wildlife management concerns. To learn more about the State Logger Award and how to qualify for it, visit online.

We All Live in a Forest

Timber stand improvement benefits woodlots of all sizes.

Whether you’re managing big timber or a small woodlot, you can use timber stand improvements to boost productivity and enhance wildlife habitat. Timber stand improvement (TSI) is the removal of selected trees from a timber stand to improve its health and growth. Most unmanaged timber stands become overcrowded, causing a shortage of water, nutrients and sunlight for all trees. With TSI, you decide which trees to keep, reducing competition in your stand, slowing the spread of infestations and disease, and improving habitat values for wildlife. The Department of Conservation’s free publication, Timber Stand Improvement, covers details on conducting TSI. To order write to, MDC, Timber Stand Improvement, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 or e-mail pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov.