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Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. The Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs is among the areas with management plans currently under review.
MDC invites the public to provide comments about Burr Oak Woods to aid staff in updating plans for an area popular as a hiking and wildlife viewing destination. Interested persons or groups – including recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials and government agencies – can share ideas online through May 31 at http://mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.
This plan will focus on management of the forest, woodland, trails and restored native grasslands on the area. The Burr Oak Woods Nature Center building and educational programs are not part of this area management plan.
Burr Oak Woods was purchased in 1977 and was among the first conservation projects developed in a metropolitan area using funds from the one-eighth of 1 percent sales tax approved by voters in 1976 for forests, fish and wildlife. The area’s 1,071 acres include forest, woodland, and restored native grassland habitats. Burr Oak Creek passes through the property. Six hiking trails thread among the varied habitat, with some sections passing the creek and impressive limestone bluff outcrops.
The Nature Center and trailheads are accessed via the entrance at 1401 N.W. Park Road in Blue Springs. But the conservation area also includes land north of Pink Hill Road. One north parking lot offers access to the area off Strode Road.
MDC staff will review comments as they develop a draft management plan for Burr Oak Woods Conservation 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, it’s 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.
When the initial draft is complete, the Burr Oak Woods Area Plan will be posted online for additional public comments and will be available for viewing at http://mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.
