MDC hosted 37th annual Poosey Conservation Area fall tour on Oct. 15

News from the region
Northwest
Published Date
10/17/2023
Body

Chillicothe, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) hosted the 37th annual Fall Driving Tour at the Poosey Conservation Area on Oct. 15. Cool temperatures and a light, intermittent rain early in the event failed to stop trucks, ATVs, horseback riders, golf carts, cars, and horse-drawn carriages from traversing the hilly gravel service roads. MDC crews counted 1,079 bundled up visitors at the tour’s start at Pike’s Lake. The moisture brightened the yellow and red colors on the autumn foliage.

MDC’s Poosey fall tour allows visitors to drive vehicles on service roads normally closed to the public. Tour stops along the way highlighted conservation practices such as timber stand improvement. At a stopping point along the route, MDC and partners staffed table displays about topics such as helping grassland species, managing invasive species, and helping conservation agents with Operation Game Thief. MDC staff visited with people on the tour and answered questions.

A popular stop, especially for children, was the Panther Den. They climbed the limestone bluff into the cave-like overhang. Visitors met Waylon, MDC’s German shorthair K9.

MDC’s Poosey Conservation Area in northwestern Livingston County has a variety of fishing lakes and ponds, trails, forest habitat, savannas, woodlands, and restored grasslands. For more information, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZFd. To learn more about conservation in Missouri, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov.