Fall & Winter 2012: Volume 33, Numbers 3 & 4 - Missouri Prairie ...

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MPF p r a i r i e protection, education, and outreach New Species of Conservation Concern Found on MPF Prairies 10 Missouri Prairie Journal Vol. 33 Nos. 3 & 4 The Arkansas darter is among the recently documented species of conservation concern found on MPF prairies. MPF properties had been known to provide habitat for at least 12 species of conservation concern, including the state-listed regal fritillary butterfly and northern crawfish frog, and the federally threatened Mead’s milkweed and the tiny wildflower Geocarpon minimum, known from only 50 locations on the planet. Recently, biologists have documented additional species of conservation concern on MPF prairies. During the 2010 BioBlitz held at Penn-Sylvania Prairie, Justin Thomas, with the Institute for Botanical Training, documented Juncus debilis, a statelisted rush, growing on the prairie. Its official rank is “critically imperiled” in the state. During the Golden Prairie BioBlitz held last year, fisheries biologists Tom Preisendorf and Kara Tvedt found Arkansas darters (Etheostoma cragini), ranked “vulnerable” in Missouri and a candidate for federal listing. During the BioBlitz held this past June at Schwartz Prairie, John Atwood and Nels Holmberg found a moss, Pohlia annotina, state-listed as “SU,” meaning so little is known about the species that it can not be ranked. Also at Schwartz, Justin Thomas documented Eleocharis lanceolata, a state-listed spike rush. MPF’s careful management and aggressive control of invasive species maintains vital habitat for these species of conservation concern and thousands of other plants and invertebrate and vertebrate animals that depend on high quality prairie. New Signage at MPF’s La Petite Gemme Prairie At 37 acres, La Petite Gemme is truly a small gem of a prairie. The Frisco Highline Trail—a national recreation trail—runs through this designated Missouri Natural Area in Polk County. New signs developed by Ozark Greenways, with content input and partial funding provided by MPF, help interpret the prairie landscape to trail users. The 35-mile trail connects Springfield and Bolivar. For more information visit www.friscohighlinetrail.org. Susan Parrish Gary House Private Land Conservation Focus of 2012 MOBCI Conference To date, 62 organizations—including MPF and other private conservation groups and public land management agencies—have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to participate in the Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative. The purpose of the group, also known as MOBCI, is to combine efforts to conserve bird populations and their habitats. MOBCI held its annual conference August 17 and 18, the theme being “This Land is Your Land; This Land is my Land: The importance of Private Land Management and the Development of a Strong Land Ethic.” Among the many talks was a presentation by MPF’s Carol Davit on MPF’s prairie conservation. Lisa Potter, who coordinates Farm Bill information for the Missouri Department of Conservation, gave a presentation on the status of the 2012 Farm Bill, and the conservation measures at stake in this legislation that will affect the future of conservation. Lisa explained that the 2008 Farm Bill expires September 30, 2012, and authorized $23 billion for conservation programs nationwide over five years. The Farm Bill is the single largest source of conservation funding available to assist private landowners in restoring, protecting, and enhancing soil quality, water quality, and wildlife habitat. Lisa also explained that the 2012 Farm Bill may not be passed until after the November election. The draft of the new bill cuts $23 to $35 billion in total spending, with a $6 billion cut (10%) in conservation programs. Other proposed changes include a nationwide reduction of the total acreage allowed in the Conservation Reserve Program from 32 million acres to 25 million acres; consolidation of the EQIP and WHIP programs, with recreational landowners becoming potentially ineligible to enroll; and the requirement of a third party easement holder that provides a 50:50 funding match with USDA grassland (GRP) and farmland (FRPP) easements. As of September 24, the fate of the 2012 Farm Bill and its conservation programs is uncertain. By contacting your elected officials, you can let them know how important robust conservation programs in the next Farm Bill are to you.
2012 Campaign for Prairies Please keep the natural wealth of our prairies in mind when you consider your end-of-year charitable giving. With no office and only two staff members, the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s (MPF’s) overhead is low, and directs all contributions to fulfilling our on-the-ground conservation, education, and outreach work. MPF’s 2012 fundraising goal to cover all expenses is $250,000. With your help, we have accomplished an impressive amount of work this year—including on-going prairie protection, advocacy for native grassland-friendly conservation policies, and expansion of native plant promotion through the Grow Native! program. We hope you can support our conservation work with a tax-deductible donation. Please mail your gift to Missouri Prairie Foundation c/o Martinsburg Bank P.O. Box 856 Mexico, MO 65265-0856 To make a gift of securities, please contact MPF at 888-843-6739. Thank you for your continued support of Missouri’s prairies. We can’t do our work without you. Allen Woodliffe “I am so impressed by what the Missouri Prairie Foundation accomplishes with such a small budget and so little staff. You should get some kind of efficiency award—you are raising the bar for charity efficiency. Keep up the good work.” —Francine Cantor, MPF member, St. Louis, MO “I’ve enjoyed reading several recent issues of the Missouri Prairie Journal more than any other magazine in recent memory. And I subscribe to The Economist, Bird Watchers Digest, National Geographic, Environmental History and a half dozen others that are pretty good reading. Not only is the content interesting and readable, but the design is also excellent.” —Dr. Rupert Cutler, MPF member, Roanoke, VA. (former editor of Virginia Wildlife, managing editor of National Wildlife, president of Defenders of Wildlife, and assistant secretary of agriculture in charge of the USDA Forest Service in the Carter Administration) Noppadol Paothong/MDC Vol. 33 Nos. 3 & 4 Missouri Prairie Journal 11
Page 1 and 2: Fall/winter 2012 Volume 33 Numbers
Page 3 and 4: Contents Fall/Winter 2012 Volume 33
Page 5 and 6: MPF’s Third Annual Prairie BioBli
Page 7 and 8: Carol Davit Carol Davit carol davit
Page 9: Brian Edmond ATCHISON HOLT NODAWAY
Page 13 and 14: allow mosquitoes to swarm. We used
Page 15 and 16: Fate of 67 nests of radio-collared
Page 17 and 18: Max ALleger For the rest of our ann
Page 19 and 20: “The purpose of the park is to ma
Page 21 and 22: DNR FILE PRAIRIE STATE PARK JUSTIN
Page 23 and 24: SCOTT WOODBURY Carol Davit SCOTT WO
Page 25 and 26: Susan Hilty Moving Forward from the
Page 27 and 28: Cattle producers can benefit both c
Page 29 and 30: Prairie Postings Cécile Lagandré
Page 31 and 32: tion Lifetime Members Don Lowry Kay

Fall & Winter 2012: Volume 33, Numbers 3 & 4 - Missouri Prairie ...

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