Most people associate homecoming with the fall season, but a 2018 Northwest High School graduate returns to his alma mater on July 1. Conservation agent Dominick Montileone III starts his new assignment in service to Jefferson County next month. Following graduation from the state Department of Conservation Agent Training Academy last September, Montileone was assignedContinue reading “Conservation agent returns home with new assignment”
Tag Archives: wildlife
Conservation agent reminds residents to be ready for possible bear visits
For more than a decade Cpl. Lexis Wilson has patrolled Jefferson County with the goal of protecting our natural resources and investigating game law violations, but the role of conservation agent goes way beyond those familiar tasks. Maybe most importantly, agents educate the public about the wild world around us. One subject that has beenContinue reading “Conservation agent reminds residents to be ready for possible bear visits”
Turtles on the road again with spring weather
The deluge of overnight rain certainly played a part, but I was surprised to see so many box turtles crossing the road during a recent morning trip through central Missouri. This is the time of year when they are most active, and the good news was that most of them I saw along the countyContinue reading “Turtles on the road again with spring weather”
“Prospects” report outlines Mississippi River fishing opportunities
“Raised by a river: I suppose both meanings are true – you can hardly have one without the other.” I love that line from Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I feel like it strikes close to home for me. My childhood included five-minute bike rides to the Mississippi River, weekends and summer vacations swimmingContinue reading ““Prospects” report outlines Mississippi River fishing opportunities”
Homemade sausage completes hunter’s work with help from friends
The old saying claims that hunting is all fun and games until you pull the trigger, that’s when the work begins. I take pride in being a Jack-of-no-trades, do-it-yourselfer for many things, and I literally get up to my elbows in deer after the shot. This year I didn’t finish the job until late inContinue reading “Homemade sausage completes hunter’s work with help from friends”
Invasive pear tree ‘buyback’ program returns
The Missouri Invasive Plant Council has sent a Save The Date reminder for the annual Bradford Pear Buyback Event on April 21, but the more important calendar consideration is March 16, which is opening day for registration to participate. Homeowners who are willing to remove the invasive Callery pear trees growing in their landscapes canContinue reading “Invasive pear tree ‘buyback’ program returns”
Hellbender continues to wait for Endangered Species Act protection
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Camp Hellbender, a program for adults to relive their childhood summer camp experiences. It sounded like a good time, but I was disappointed when I found out that the annual program didn’t have anything to do Missouri’s endangered aquatic salamander. I spent many of my formative yearsContinue reading “Hellbender continues to wait for Endangered Species Act protection”
Audubon offers opportunities to join Backyard Bird Count
What started as a backyard event has gone global over the past 30 years, and more people are always being invited to the party. The Great Backyard Bird Count has added participants around the world and keeps tabs on more bird species every year. Established by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, GBBCContinue reading “Audubon offers opportunities to join Backyard Bird Count”
Swans and eagles attract attention in January
Visiting the Audubon Center at Riverlands can be a treat any time of the year, but the winter holds the allure of special avian guests and regular events to increase the opportunity and understanding of those big American birds. Bald eagles bring out scores of bird watchers as open water areas north of Missouri freezeContinue reading “Swans and eagles attract attention in January”
Free First Day Hikes require advanced registration in Missouri State Parks
Thanks to alert Leader reader Karen Wenzel, I can correct this information for “Don’t Call Me Outdoor John.” My photo is tagged in my computer file as “created on Jan. 1. 2004,” but when Karen saw the picture in the paper, she new it was 2014 when I made my first, First Day Hike atContinue reading “Free First Day Hikes require advanced registration in Missouri State Parks”
Don't Call Me Outdoor John 