What's Happening With ORLT?

For several years now, dozens and dozens of dedicated volunteers have shown up in temperatures from 10 to 100 to help us with a variety of fun, worthwhile, and exhilarating projects.  ORLT is making plans for upcoming volunteer workdays, focusing on some of our most important and exciting projects.

These workdays are terrific events and a great excuse to get outside in all seasons and do good for the Ozarks while meeting some interesting folks.  Workdays will be held rain, snow, or shine (within reason), and generally start around 10:00 a.m. Bring along some hand tools, gloves, lunch, and plenty of water.  Feel free to call Andy Thomas at 417-236-0223 with any questions. If you are on our Email Alert mailing list, we will send out a reminder with directions as the work days draw near. If you would like to be on our Email Alert list, please contact us at orlt@ipa.net. 

Thanks!  We hope to see you on the land!

 

 Directions to Woods Prairie, near Mt. Vernon, Missouri:

 From the east or west:  On Interstate Highway 44, take the Chesapeake exit (# 49) and go east (which may seem south) toward Chesapeake on Highway 174. At about 3 miles, turn south (right) onto Highway K.  Proceed 1.5 miles and turn right onto Farm Road 2125.  The prairie is 3/4 mile down this road on the left.  Next to the road, you will see a 6.5 acre area under restoration that may look dead with the green prairie just beyond and up the hill.

 

 From the south:  At Aurora, MO, take Highway 39 going north through town, well past all the fast food, etc. to the edge of town.  There is a stop sign and railroad tracks.  At that point 39 goes left, but you want to continue straight ahead onto Highway K.  The road may not be well-marked there, but essentially you never turn going through Aurora and continue straight north out of town.  From there, continue north on Highway K roughly 8 miles and turn left on Farm Road 2125.  This turn (FR 2125) is exactly 2.0 miles north of where Highway FF intersects on the left.  The numbered farm roads will let you know when you are getting close.  The prairie is 3/4 mile down FR 2125 on the left. Next to the road, you will see a 6.5 acre area under restoration that may look dead with the green prairie just beyond and up the hill.

 

Items & Other Events Of Interest

To Ozark Regional Land Trust Members and Friends

  • ORLT Animals are Available

Pileated Woodpeckers, Ozark Cavefish, Softshell Turtles, and Bobcats have found homes on the new ORLT Animal notecards, a creation by Jarvis Lambert. When you pick up a set, be sure to look twice for the hidden letters O-R-L-T that make up the body of each animal.  Can you spot the "L" in the Softshell Turtle? How about the "R" in the Pileated Woodpecker?  Lambert plans to craft more ORLT Animals in the future.  All proceeds from the sale of the cards go to support the work of the Ozark Regional Land Trust.  Sets of 12 are available for $15 plus $2.50 handling and shipping by emailing, calling or writing the main ORLT office at  (417) 358-0852; orlt@ipa.net; 427 S. Main Street, Carthage, MO 64836.

Year-round Adventures, - Anita Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, Kansas City, MO

Looking for something wild and natural to do in Kansas City?  Try visiting the Discovery Center at 47th Street and Troost Avenue in downtown Kansas City.  Start with a relaxing walk on nearly half a mile of trails surrounded by postage-stamp wetlands, woodlands and prairie, as well as hunningbird and butterfly gardens.  Step inside the "green design" building and learn how architecture and nature can work together.  The Discovery Center offers programs year-round on topics from natural gardening to history and outdoor skills.  Over the course of a year, you can take part in hands-on programs to learn everything from fishing to how Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery cooked and what they ate during their two-year odyssey.  For more information about the Discovery Center and upcoming programs there, visit the Gorman Discovery Center or call 816-759-7300.

Year-round Adventures, - Rockwoods Reservation, St. Louis Country, MO

In the 1700s, fur traders traversed Rockwood Reservation on their way to and from St. Louis.  Early settlers established rock quarries and lime kilns, remains of which are still visible today.  The area has also been designated by Audubon Missouri as an "Important Bird Area", due to the abundance and diversity of birds present, making it an ideal spot for birdwatchers.  There are seven trails totaling more than 12 miles.  Three of the area's trails offer interpretive brochures explaining the area's natural and cultural history.  These are the Trail Among the Trees (1.5 miles), the Wildlife Habitat Discovery Trail (.1 mile) and the Rock Quarry Trail (2.2 miles).  The .1 mile Wildlife Habitat Discovery Trail is accessible to visitors using wheelchairs, while the Turkey Ridge Trail (2 miles), the Lime Kiln Loop (3.2 miles) and the Green Rock Trail (3.6 miles) are more rugged and primitive.  The Conservation Education Center offer displays and interpretive programs.  For more information, contact the Rockwoods Reservation or call 636-458-2236 

March - April 2008 - Warbler Migration

March and April are the best months to enjoy warblers.  Males sport fresh breeding plumage of breathtaking hues.  Trees give the best clues to when migrants will arrive.  Warblers need caterpillars and other insect morsels that appeal with foliage.  Tender leaves and buds draw waves of hooded, parula and magnolia warblers, redstarts and other members of the clan northward in mixed flocks.  Use recordings of their songs to help identify birds only glimpsed in distant treetops or not at all.

Now Until April 30, 2008 - Order Trees From MO Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO

If you've been planning to establish a windbreak or quail-friendly shrubs -- or just make your home landscape a little more attractive to wildlife -- now is the time to order shrub and tree seedlings from the George O. White State Forest Nursery.  Seedlings are sold from mid-November to the end of April, and bundles range from $3 to $24.  Find the order form on-line at www.missouriconservation.org/7294.  The web site also includes tips about transporting, planting and caring for your seedlings.

March - June, 2008 - Current River Experience, Ellington, MO

If you look forward to the eye-popping annual display of serviceberry and redbud blossoms, consider viewing them from the Current River this spring.  The Current River Conservation Area features one of the largest and most beautiful examples of Ozark hardwood forest in Missouri, and it also shelters the headwaters of the Current River.  This forested area features a picnic area, fishing jetties, Buford Pond (3 acres, fishable), Blue Springs Natural Area (17 acres), Cardareva Bluff Natural Area (95 acres) and three miles of Current River.

 A float trip between March and June will reward you with the views of serviceberry, redbud, wild plum, wild crab, red buckeye, dogwood, hawthorn and tulip poplar blossoms.  These flowering, fruit-bearing trees not only delight our eyes and gladden our winter-weary hearts, they support honeybees and an array of birds and other native wildlife.  While we're accustomed to valuing Missouri's glorious forests for the habitat and industry values, it's hard to put a price on the experience of floating a wild Ozark Stream and witnessing the forest's annual rebirth. 

The main tract is three miles we of Ellington on Highway 106.  There are three entrances.  One is located three miles west of Ellington on Highway 106.  Another is located in Ellington.  The third is on Reynolds County Road 626.  For more information, go to www.MissouriConservation.org/a9515.

May 4, 2008 - Spring Canoe Float, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Little Rock, AR

Experience the beauty of spring along the cypress-lined Little Maumelle River on this guided 4 1/2 hour trip.  Advance registration and payment required.  A $30 per canoe fee includes canoes, paddles, life jackets and a guide.  No previous paddling experience is necessary, but you should be comfortable around water.  Not recommended for children under age 6.  Please contact the park at pinnaclemountain@arkansas.com or 501-868-5806 for further details. 

June 6-8, 2008 - Discover Nature-Women, Roach, MO

Women looking to learn outdoor skills can get training at the Discover Nature-Women Workshop.  The event at the Windermere Conference Center in Roach, MO includes courses in fishing, canoeing, archery, shooting sports and camping.  The program is open to women ages 18 and older.  Girls 14-17 may attend if accompanied by an adult.  A $20 deposit is required with registration.  The registration deadline is May 23.  For more information or to register, contact Tracy Tomson at TracyTomson@mdc.mo.gov or at 573-522-4115, ext. 3808.  Participants are responsible for making room and meal reservations with Windermere at 573-346-5200 or 800-346-2215.