The Missouri Department of Conservation is in the midst of a multi-year process of updating their management plans and is seeking public input during the process. 

During the month of September, plans for three conservation areas in Platte County will be available for public comment. 

Missouri Department of Conservation Media Specialist Bill Graham said public input gives the MDC a guide for the future and let’s them know of anything they need to change. 

“We’re giving people a chance to provide some input into those areas and those plans,” Graham said. “Is there something that concerns them about the area, is there something new they would like to see.” 

The three areas in Platte County available for public comment include the Kendzora, Little Bean Marsh and Dr. Frederick Marshall areas. 

MDC’s Kendzora Conservation Area north of Edgerton offers fishing, hunting and hiking on 746 acres. According to a press release, fishing opportunities include one mile Platte River frontage and a 35-acre fishing lake. A variety of wildlife habitat is offered including 200 acres of seasonally flooded bottomland, 300 acres of forest, and 190 acres of grasslands and old fields. A portion of the area is in southern Buchanan County. 

Little Bean Marsh Conservation Area north of Weston preserves a 167-acre wetland. It is an old oxbow of the Missouri River and one of the last large marshes in the river’s flood plain. The area is considered a prime birding location. Two paved trails lead into the wetland and forested areas. The 440-acre area also has some forest and old fields. 

MDC’s Dr. Frederick Marshall Conservation Area preserves 169 acres of rolling land southwest of Platte City. Habitat includes forest, old fields, crop land, and a restored woodland mix of large bur oaks and native prairie grasses. The area also has a half mile of frontage on the Platte River. 

To preview draft management plans and share comments online, click here.