MDC offers free workshop for acreage owners on Feb. 22

Kansas City, Mo. – People who enjoy owning small acreages for a connection with nature can improve scenery and wildlife habitat by using practices friendly to native plants or trees. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free workshop entitled Conservation Management on Your Acreage 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Bass Pro Shops store in Independence.

Landowners can make management choices that fit their goals for a property. Some may want to attract more wildlife such as deer, turkeys or bobwhite quail. Others may be interested in wildflowers and pollinators such as butterflies and moths. Many people simply enjoy songbirds. The choice of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses, and how they are managed, can influence results. Wildlife and insects evolved with native plants and conservation management can produce the desired habitat.

MDC Urban Forester Chuck Conner and Private Land Conservationist Andy Carmack will provide information useful to property owners seeking to improve wildlife habitat. The program is tailored to help those with small acreages.

Topics covered will include:

• Practices that help attract wildlife.
• Tree and shrub planting for landscaping and wildlife value.
• Identification and control of common invasive species.
• Managing for healthy woodlands and forest.
• Equipment available for loan for conservation practices, such as planting native grasses and wildflower. 

Registration is requested. To register, call 816-228-3766.    For more information about conservation practices for your property and how MDC can help, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/property.