Public input sought in April for Talbot Conservation Area

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. The Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area in Lawrence County is among the areas currently under review.

MDC is inviting the public to provide comments about Talbot to aid staff in developing a 15-year management plan for the popular public use area. Interested persons or groups – including recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials and government agencies – can preview the draft management plan and share comments online line April 1-30 at www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans

MDC staff will review comments as they finalize a management plan for the Talbot Area. Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how best to 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.

The 4,360-acre Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area is located on Missouri 96 in Lawrence County. The area is managed for wildlife, grassland, savanna and woodland resources with an emphasis on upland game and compatible recreational opportunities for the public. The area provides a variety of amenities for public use, including a number of hunting opportunities, a 1.8-mile hiking trail and two (5.4-mile and 5.8-mile) hiking/biking/horse trails. The Talbot Area features two fishing lakes (seven acres and four acres). The seven-acre lake has a boat ramp and a disability-accessible fishing jetty. Primitive camping is allowed at the designated camping area on Missouri 97.