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SILEX, Mo.—The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. MDC is in the multi-year process of updating management plans for conservation areas and invites public comments. The Vonaventure Memorial Forest and Wildlife Area, one mile north of Silex in Lincoln County, is one of the areas under review.
MDC is inviting public comment regarding Vonaventure Memorial Forest and Wildlife Area to aid staff in developing a 10-year management plan for the area. Interested persons or groups, including recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials and government agencies, are invited to view the proposed management plan at mdc.mo.gov/areaplans. The plan includes a link for supplying comments and input.
The plan will remain available for public comment during the month of September. The public comment period for the Vonaventure Memorial Forest and Wildlife Area plan will close Sept. 30.
This 203-acre area was donated by Henry von Phul Thomas in 1971 to conserve its forestland. The area also includes a small, unstocked pond. It offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey and squirrels. From Silex, Vonaventure Memorial Forest and Wildlife Area may be reached by taking Route UU north about one mile.
Conservation Area Management Plans focus on natural resource management and public use on conservation areas. The plans do not address regulations on hunting, fishing and other area uses, which are set by the Conservation Commission and enforced under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. MDC will consider all ideas received and will work to balance the issues and interests identified with the responsibility of managing areas for the present and future benefits to forest, fish, wildlife, and people.
Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how to best incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, its physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.
MDC conservation areas cover almost one million public acres for the purpose of restoring and conserving forest, fish and wildlife resources, and for providing opportunities for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about these resources. Most Missourians are within a 30-minute drive of a MDC conservation area.
