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A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
LEWISTOWN, Mo.— The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. A draft management plan for Deer Ridge Conservation Area is available for public review through Nov. 30. To preview this draft management plan and share comments online, visit mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.
Deer Ridge Conservation Area contains 6,955 acres of forest, woodland, open land, old field, wetland, grassland, lakes, and ponds in Lewis County. MDC manages this area to provide diverse habitat for fish and wildlife through sound management practices, while offering the public compatible outdoor recreational opportunities. The area also includes a 48-acre fishing lake, Deer Ridge Lake, a concrete boat ramp, an ADA-accessible fishing dock, three picnic shelters, unstaffed rifle/shotgun/archery ranges, and 17.4 miles of multi-use (hike/bike/horse) trails available for public use.
Statewide, MDC conservation areas cover almost one million public acres for the purpose of restoring and conserving forest, fish and wildlife resources, and for providing opportunities for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about these resources. Most Missourians are within a 30-minute drive of an MDC conservation area.
Conservation Area Management Plans focus on natural resource management and public use on conservation areas. The plans do not address regulations on hunting, fishing and other area uses, which are set by the Conservation Commission and enforced under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. MDC will consider all ideas received and will work to balance the issues and interests identified with the responsibility of managing areas for the present and future benefits to forest, fish, wildlife, and people. Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how to best incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, its physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.
