MDC and Partners Dedicate Grassland Areas in Missouri

By Blake Jackson

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), in collaboration with Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever (PF/QF), The Nature Conservancy, and local landowners, officially dedicated two new conservation areas in Harrison County on June 18.

These projects, facilitated through PF/QF’s Build a Wildlife Area program, have been transferred to MDC for permanent management and preservation.

One of the new additions is a 160-acre tract near the Pawnee Prairie Conservation Area. Although not directly connected, its close proximity allows it to be treated as an expansion. The parcel comprises 112 acres of open cropland, 18 acres of grassland, and 30 acres of woodland.

The second project, a newly established 73-acre Blazing Prairie Conservation Area, is now open to the public. It features a combination of grasslands and timbered draws.

“These tracts of land fall within the priority geography of the upper Grand River Grasslands,” said Regional Resource Management Supervisor Thomas Huffmon. “This priority geography contains some of the last remaining remnant prairie in northern Missouri. Our management goal is to turn the areas into a diverse mix of native grasses and wildflowers and potentially use conservation grazing to enhance cover for wildlife.”

The Grand River Grasslands region holds some of Missouri’s last deep soil and glacial till prairies. Once dominated by tallgrass prairie, the area now contains only a fraction of its original ecosystem less than one percent statewide. It also supports the state's last known population of greater prairie chickens.

“We are grateful to our partners that made this acquisition possible,” said MDC Deputy Director Aaron Jeffries. “This dedication highlights our collective work to preserve and restore vital habitat in Missouri.”

Restoration of Pawnee Prairie has involved a wide network of partners including MDC, The Nature Conservancy, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, NRCS, USFWS, and local landowners. PF/QF now joins this group to help protect these valuable landscapes.

“The partnership between Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, MDC and The Nature Conservancy is impactful and far reaching,” said Eric Sytsma, Habitat Protection Officer with QF/PF. “Anyone who spends even 10 minutes in this landscape understands why this work is important.”

MDC has already seeded 850 pounds of native plants on the new Pawnee Prairie tract. Early June mowing encouraged sprouting, and future plans include controlled burns, tree removal, and continued grassland management for both properties.

Photo Credit: pexels-adam-sondel