Up Front

You’ve come to know how much I like sharing connections made with a special place and how those connections can help in the development of future passions. For me, one of those places is Prairie Fork Conservation Area (CA). In this month’s issue, we highlight Prairie Fork CA in Places to Go (Page 30). As an undergraduate at the University of Missouri, I spent a summer there surveying small mammals, monitoring bird populations, and conducting vegetation sampling. It was the early days of restoring the area, which was once a working cattle farm. 

Through the generous contributions of Pat and Ted Jones, Prairie Fork has become not only important for wildlife, but also a place for research and education for future generations. I was fortunate to have a few conversations with Pat while she was still living on the property. Her passion for conservation, education, and leaving the world a better place was incredibly inspiring. 

Prior to leaving for graduate school, I tracked quail at Prairie Fork and nearby Reform CA. I was able to return to Prairie Fork nearly two decades later to witness the tremendous transformation of the area. 

While people and places are important, sounds can also create those connections. The call of a northern bobwhite is one of the most recognizable sounds outdoors. The article, What’s That Sound? (Page 22), details the hard work necessary to restore habitat that supports this iconic species. 

The sights, sounds, and smells all contribute to the connections we make with the places we visit in nature. So, the next time you venture outdoors, take the time to let your senses run wild and take it all in. You never know what will spark that connection.

Jason Sumners, Director

JASON.SUMNERS@MDC.MO.GOV