Healthy Forests

Our Glorious Forests: St. Louis Region River Accesses

Number of accesses: 31

Major streams accessed: Bourbeuse River, Boeuf Creek, Meramec River, Huzzah Creek, Courtois Creek, Big River, Mineral Fork, Missouri River, Mississippi River and Cuivre River

Find more info: Call (573) 468-3335

Floating a stream through an Ozark mountain forest can be a terrific way to escape summer’s heat. Unfortunately, popular riverside parks and campgrounds won’t get you away from the crowds. Escape both heat and crowded hotspots via Missouri Department of Conservation river accesses. You’ll find more than 30 of them in the St. Louis Region alone. They provide floaters with easy access to such scenic streams as the Meramec River and Huzzah and Courtois creeks. A secluded float trip will put you in touch with all the glories a summer forest has to offer—cool water, fascinating fish, melodious songbirds, fun-to-watch wildlife and breathtaking scenes. Three MDC publications can help you find a river access for your trip. Try the online atlas, purchase a copy of Missouri’s Conservation Atlas at your nearest MDC Nature Shop or pick up the Discover Outdoor Missouri Map at any MDC facility.

Opinions Wanted

Share your views on forest management with MOFRAC.

The Missouri Department of Conservation, University of Missouri School of Natural Resources and the Conservation Federation of Missouri recently brought together representatives from 30 natural resource organizations to form the Missouri Forest Resources Advisory Council. The Council’s purpose is to facilitate communication among all who are interested in Missouri forests to ensure long-term health, productivity and sustainability.

We All Live in a Forest

Don’t bring gypsy moths home from vacation!

When you’re traveling through states infested with the gypsy moth this summer, take care that you don’t return with one of Missouri’s most unwanted stowaways. Since the 1800s, the oak-leaf-eating gypsy moth has spread from New England as far west as Wisconsin, northeastern Illinois and Indiana. Gypsy moths have not established in Missouri yet, but where they do, they’re expected to severely damage our oak forests. To hold the line against gypsy moths, inspect your gear, including your vehicle and camper, before returning home from infested areas. Look for fuzzy, light brown egg masses or dark brown pupae.

If you find evidence of gypsy moths, notify the departments of Agriculture ((573) 751-5505) or Conservation ((573) 751-4115). For help identifying and destroying gypsy moths, see the links listed below.