In Brief

MDC is Going to the Fair

Discover nature at the Missouri State Fair Aug. 13–23

MDC will be at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia all 11 days, giving you a chance to discover nature in the heart of the fairgrounds. 

Visit the MDC Conservation Building from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to see live fish and other native animals such as snakes, turtles, and amphibians. Ask MDC staff conservation-related questions, get educational materials, and have fun. Visit new MDC pop-up booths from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about a variety of popular topics.

Join MDC on Friday, Aug. 14, for Missouri Department of Conservation Day — a full day of fun and excitement sponsored by MDC. 

Stop by the MDC outdoor pavilion for these live demonstrations:

• Campfire Cooking: Learn how to cook at the campsite on Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Fish Fry: Learn to clean and cook fish and grab free samples on Aug. 14 and 15 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Invasive Species Expo: Learn how to remove invasive plants and animals on Aug. 14 on the MoDOT lawn, next door to the MDC pavilion.
• Blind Pony Hatchery Truck: Chat with staff from the Blind Pony Hatchery and see the vehicle they use to stock fishing spots on Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Floating Wetlands: Learn how floating wetland structures keep your pond clean and provide essential habitat on Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Conservation K-9s: Meet the dogs who are specially trained for conservation work on Aug. 19 and 20 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Historic Sawmill: See a working scale-model sawmill in action on Aug. 21 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Foraging and Wild Edibles: Learn how to forage for edible plants, seeds, and fruit on Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Visit with a variety of special guests at the new MDC pop-up booth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: 

• Aug. 13: Wooden spoon carving
• Aug. 14 and 15: Dark Sky Missouri: Light pollution and nocturnal wildlife 
• Aug. 16: Missouri Stream Teams
• Aug. 17: Preventing wildlife from damaging your property
• Aug. 18: Selecting native plants for specialty gardens
• Aug. 19: Black bears of Missouri
• Aug. 20: Get more from your hunting harvest with Outdoor Skills of America
• Aug. 21: Bloodsuckers of Missouri
• Aug. 22: Wooden spoon carving

For more information, visit mostatefair.com

Nominate Tree Stewards for Arbor Award

MDC and the Missouri Community Forestry Council (MCFC) are accepting nominations for the 2026 Missouri Arbor Award of Excellence. 

The annual award recognizes communities, institutions, businesses, organizations, and individuals that make significant and long-lasting efforts to care for trees in their communities. It shines the spotlight on individuals or groups who have improved trees in their community. Any significant program, project, or event over the last two years that contributes to the care or maintenance of trees could qualify for an award.

“Trees bring so much value to our communities, but their overall health depends on people practicing good tree stewardship,” said MDC Community Forestry Coordinator Russell Hinnah. “I encourage you to think about recent projects and events involving trees in your community and nominate them for the 2026 Arbor Award of Excellence.”

Winners receive a framed award, a full registration scholarship to the MCFC conference in September in Springfield, an extra ticket to the award banquet during the conference, a community forestry reference book, and a $50 gift card.

Nominations are due Monday, Aug. 24. For more information and nomination forms, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/ZCg.

MDC Honors Dan and Connie Burkhardt as Master Conservationists

The Missouri Conservation Commission and MDC honored Dan and Connie Burkhardt of Frontenac with the Master Conservationist Award during the commission’s May 29 meeting in Washington.

“Dan and Connie Burkhardt’s impacts on conservation in Missouri — most notably to conserve and improve sections of the Katy Trail — are far reaching through their dedication to protecting and preserving our natural resources,” said Commission Chair Margy Eckelkamp. 

“Their conservation restoration efforts along the Katy Trail are numerous and include the preservation of buildings of historic interest along waypoints, planting burr oaks, partnering with Forest ReLeaf on an annual tree camp for children, honeysuckle hacks, Burkhardt Grove featuring native Missouri trees, and the Peers Prairie,” Eckelkamp added. 

The Burkhardts created the Katy Land Trust in 2010 after putting their land in Warren County into a conservation easement to protect and conserve it — and to educate Missourians about the shared responsibility needed to conserve land for public use. The focus of the trust is to protect the agricultural, scenic, and natural resources along Katy Trail State Park (SP). From that, Magnificent Missouri formed to conserve and increase appreciation of Katy Trail SP and the last 100 miles of the Missouri River Valley as a premier regional asset.

“The Burkhardts serve as visionaries, motivators, educators, documentarians, philanthropists, team builders, and as selfless conservationists whose clear focus is on bettering the places we call home,” said MDC Director Jason Sumners. “Their tireless efforts to preserve, promote, and improve our state will have lasting impacts for generations.” 

He added that the Burkhardts carry many torches for conservation and carry them together. 

“From the Katy Land Trust to Magnificent Missouri, their efforts to conserve land and water for public use have inspired many to think bigger than themselves,” Sumners said. 

“The projects Dan and Connie support and have supported will have lasting impacts on our natural resources and will be enjoyed by Missourians and visitors to our great state for generations to come.”

One of their more notable projects is the Ted and Pat Jones Welcome Center on Katy Trail SP in Treloar. The Burkhardts purchased the historic mercantile, restored the building, and then donated it to the state to create the only state-park-operated welcome center on the trail.

They also created and opened the Peers Store as a “conservation outpost” of the trail. The couple purchased the historic store and created a memorable stop on the trail, featuring live music, art, refreshments, and the picturesque Peer’s Prairie. 

They have also worked tirelessly to raise funds — including their own financial resources — to support the preservation and development of Rock Island Trail State Park. The couple also supports other conservation organizations such as the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems, and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.

The Master Conservationist Award honors living or deceased citizen conservationists, former MDC commissioners, and employees of conservation-related agencies, universities, or organizations who have made substantial and lasting contributions to the state’s fisheries, forestry, or wildlife resources, including conservation law enforcement and conservation education-related activities in the state.

New Hunting Booklets Available

Missouri deer, turkey, waterfowl, and dove hunters can get the most current information on upcoming fall hunting from the 2026 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and the Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2026–2027.

The 2026 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet has detailed information on fall deer and turkey hunting seasons, limits, permits, managed hunts, regulations, conservation areas to hunt, post-harvest instructions, chronic wasting disease updates, and more.

The Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2026–2027 has detailed information on waterfowl hunting along with hunting doves and other migratory game birds such as rail, snipe, and woodcock. It also has information on needed permits and duck stamp requirements, hunting seasons and limits, hunting areas, regulations, and more.

Booklets are available where permits are sold and are also online at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zjw. Purchase your hunting and fishing permits from local vendors or at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.

Psst! We want to hear from you

To better understand our readers and deliver the best content, we need to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to respond to the Missouri Conservationist reader survey.

Scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4w8. The survey should only take approximately 5 minutes.

Pickled “Hens” — Italian Style

It’s prime time to forage for hen of the woods mushrooms! Found growing in the fall at the base of oak trees in large circular bouquets of spoon-shaped caps, this mushroom resembles a ruffled chicken. Hen of the woods is an edible mushroom typically simmered and served as a vegetable with cream sauce, added to soup, or chilled after cooking and used on salads. This recipe offers a different take on preparing this delicious mushroom and can be served as an appetizer or colorful side dish. 

Serves 6–8

Place hen pieces in pot and cover with water. Add lemon juice. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Rinse in cool water, drain, and set aside.

Cut onion and peppers into bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl. Add garlic and anchovies and stir well. Put everything, including mushrooms, into a large pot and add water, vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Put into clean jars and refrigerate for a week or so before eating.

This recipe is from Cooking Wild in Missouri by Bernadette Dryden, available for $16 at most MDC nature centers and online at www.mdcnatureshop.com.

To be safe, always be certain of your mushroom identification before consuming. For more information, consult A Guide to Missouri’s Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZNf.