MDC seeks public input for three Henry County conservation areas

Clinton, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. MDC is in the multi-year process of updating management plans for conservation areas and invites public comments. Draft plans for three conservation areas in Henry County will be available for public comment in June.

To preview draft management plans and share comments online, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.

• La Due Bottoms Conservation Area offers 361 acres in three separate tracks southwest of Clinton. Deepwater Creek flows along the southern boundary of the main unit to the east. The unit is managed primarily for waterfowl. Two units to the west offer management for upland wildlife quail, rabbits, deer, turkey and doves.
• Connor O. Fewel Conservation Area offers 320 acres of varied habitat for hunting, fishing, birding and hiking. The area is divided into two units. A south unit is characterized by crop fields, brushy draws, and reclaimed mine spoils. The north unit primarily consists of mature oak and hickory timber on rolling hills. The area, west of Calhoun and north of Clinton, includes an active spring. A strip pit and two ponds offer fishing opportunities.
• Urich Conservation Area is a 480-acre tract northwest of Clinton with fishing, hunting and birding opportunities. The fishing is in Big Creek. Wildlife habitat on the area includes forest, woodland, old fields, crop land, and grassland.

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.