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HANNIBAL, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is in the multi-year process of updating Conservation Area Management Plans and is seeking public input on how conservation areas are important to Missourians. A draft plan for Elmslie Memorial Conservation Area (CA)is available for public review from July 1 to July 31.
MDC invites comments from recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials, government agencies, and other interested persons or groups. To preview the draft management plan and to share comments online, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/19563.
The 238-acre Elmslie Memorial CA is located in Marion County and consists of mostly forested land donated to the MDC by Dr. and Mrs. Wallace Elmslie who wanted to preserve the area's high-quality bird and plant habitat. It contains diverse and unique timber communities, including upland and bottomland hardwood forests, and woodlands. Visitors can acquaint themselves with these communities, and their associated shrubs and wildflowers with just a short hike. Additionally, Elmslie Memorial CA provides outdoor recreational opportunities including fishing and deer, turkey and squirrel hunting.
The south 100 acres of Elmslie Memorial CA was one of the MDC's first natural areas designated (1971) and features forests on north facing slopes with many spring wildflowers including, trout lily, wild ginger, bloodroot, wild geranium, and white baneberry.
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.
"Missourians care about conservation and use conservation areas for many different reasons," said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. "These areas help people discover nature through various activities, and help make Missouri a great place to hunt, fish, and enjoy other outdoor activities. We want to know how conservation areas are important to Missourians. Encouraging public comments on Conservation Area Management Plans is part of MDC's ongoing efforts of working for and with Missourians to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife."
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.
