KIRKSVILLE, Mo.— A draft plan is in the works for the Rose Pond conservation area which is one of nearly 1,000 conservation areas planned across Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is in the multi-year process of updating management plans for conservation areas and is asking for public input. A draft plan for the Rose Pond Conservation Area (CA) is available for public review from April 1 to April 30.
Rose Pond CA includes 379 acres of old field, cropland, grassland, bottomland forest and wetland habitat. Included in this area is a 16.2-acre wetland pool, 21.9-acre man-made wetland, three fishless ponds, irrigation well and 7,760-foot levee. The MDC said area was purchased because it contains critical habitat for several wetland species. It is managed to encourage healthy populations of wetland wildlife and provide permanent emergent marsh habitat, while offering compatible public recreational opportunities.
Click here to view full plan.
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.”
MDC said it 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.