Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report 2004 by Missouri Department of Conservation

Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report 2004 by Missouri Department of Conservation

Author:Missouri Department of Conservation
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Missouri, state government publication


PRIVATE LAND SERVICES DIVISION

Mission: Help landowners achieve their land use objectives in ways that enhance the conservation of Missouri's natural resources.

The Private Land Services Division (PLS} enjoyed a successful, but demanding year in fiscal year 2004. In October of 2003, Lisa Allen became the Division Administrator. Expanded partnerships, increasing requests for landowner assistance, and success generated from previous years' efforts combined to yield many opportunities to address Missouri's need for natural resource management on private lands. The division currently has seventy-eight full-time employees to deliver private land programs and respond to landowner requests for assistance.

With 93 percent of Missouri's landscape in private ownership, delivery of information and expertise to interested individuals and organizations is critical to long-term sustainability of our natural resources. The future of many wildlife species and the conservation of our natural resources depend on private landowners, and their commitment to the implementation and provision of good land stewardship.

MDC Strategic Goal #2—Preserve and Restore the State's Biodiversity

Strategic Issue—T^llgrass Prairie Conservation

Strategic Issue—Prairie Chicken Population Decline

Strategic Issue—Decline in Quail and Rabbit Populations

Strategic Issue—Control of Invasive Exotic Species Grow Native!™: The Grow Native!™ program, which began in 2000, is designed to create awareness of the importance and benefits of using native plants in both urban and rural settings. The Grow Native!™ program promotes the use of native plants to increase biological diversity statewide on both public and private lands. The program has evolved to include a combination of education, demonstration, and marketing strategies, aimed at boosting consumer and commercial demand for Missouri-grown native plants and helping consumers easily find both quality native plant materials and capable native landscape professionals. In an effort to enhance the capabilities of the Grow Native!™ program, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has joined in partnership with the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) to administer and deliver the Grow Native!™ program. MDC will continue to administer the outreach and education components of the program while MDA will administer the business development and membership services components. MDA has a clear mandate to help Missouri's agriculture related industries grow and flourish and has a long history of providing domestic and international marketing assistance to farmers and agribusinesses. Therefore, their efforts will support Missouri's native plant industry through marketing and business counseling. MDC has a long history of conservation education and outreach programs, which will support awareness and demand for Missouri-grown native plants.

Missouri currently has approximately 13 million acres of grasslands. Over 90 percent of the historic I^llgrass prairie has been converted to other land uses and exotic or introduced grass species. While improving grassland and prairie habitats is an objective of many PLS field staff, the Division dedicates two full-time-equivalent positions to educating and informing private landowners, governmental agency staff, and interested individuals regarding the use of native plants and beneficial grassland and prairie management techniques. These efforts provide leadership for the use and management of native plants and invasive species in agricultural and habitat management-based applications throughout Missouri and the Midwest. Specific examples include:

• Expanding partnership efforts



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