The Private Land Services (PLS) Division of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is relatively new considering that the MDC celebrates their 75th anniversary this year. The Division was created in 2000, and from the beginning, they have been providing technical and financial assistance to rural Missouri landowners.
The Division’s field staff recognize that farmers and livestock producers care about conserving and protecting the natural resources on their land, whether it’s soil, water, forests, fish or wildlife. However, they also recognize these same landowners need to make a living off their land. They have groceries to buy, children to educate and mortgages to pay for. That’s why MDC works hard to recommend habitat practices that help landowners manage their land more efficiently and improve profits.
Practices such as planting native warm season grasses certainly improves habitat for quail and other wildlife, but it also provides excellent summer forage for livestock when Fescue and other cool season grasses are less productive. Fencing livestock out of streams and ponds protects fish and other aquatic wildlife, but used in conjunction with an alternative watering source can lead to healthier cattle.
Local Private Land Conservationists (PLC) work with landowners in a one-on-one setting by meeting with them on their property, walking over the farm and discussing the landowner’s management objectives. Incorporating the objectives of the landowner is key to the success of any practice or management plan. Once the PLC has a good feel for the landowner’s interest, they can leave them with a management plan for their farm. The plan will include recommendations and guidelines for installing forest and wildlife habitat practices that will help improve efficiency of the farm. Another aspect of the assistance is to identify potential federal, state and local programs that can provide financial help to install the practices. You can always call on the PLC for follow-up assistance if needed.
Regardless of where your land is located there is a MDC Private Land Conservationist (PLC) ready to help. You can call your local MDC or Soil and Water Conservation District office to get the name of your local PLC.
Bob Schroeppel, CWB, Regional Supervisor for the Private Land Services Division for Missouri Department of Conservation.
