Weddings, 5Ks, and Drones, Oh My! Exploring public use on Missouri's conservation areas

The Missouri Department of Conservation (Department) owns or manages nearly 1,000 conservation areas totaling more than 1 million acres statewide. The primary public uses of Department conservation areas are fishing, hunting,... [ view full abstract ]

The Missouri Department of Conservation (Department) owns or manages nearly 1,000 conservation areas totaling more than 1 million acres statewide. The primary public uses of Department conservation areas are fishing, hunting, nature observation, and conservation education. As the Department continues to explore making conservation accessible and valuable for all Missourians, we must balance public desires with resource needs. We must also work to minimize conflicts between user groups. Information collected through a statewide conservation opinion survey, public comments on conservation area management plans, and a recent study of special use is helping redefine how the Department approaches public use on conservation areas.

The “’Your Ideas Count!’ Conservation Opinion Survey” was conducted in 2013 by the University of Missouri-Columbia for the Missouri Department of Conservation. The general population mail survey assessed Missourian’s awareness of the Department, opinions on conservation issues, and participation in outdoor and recreational activities. We received more than 5,000 returns with a response rate of 31%. When asked “What do you want to do or have when visiting an outdoor conservation area?,” the top responses were have a restroom available (79%), clean drinking water (74%), and have signs with information about features (71%).   

Since August 2013, the Department has conducted public comment periods on conservation area management plans. Since that time, we’ve received 1,736 comments on 199 area management plans. These qualitative responses provide a way for the Department to monitor feedback on the management of conservation areas. Topics identified from public comments are diverse and include support for invasive species removal, suggestions for changes in resource management, and more.   

The Department recently conducted a study to collect and analyze special use permits issued and denied for conservation areas. The most frequent activities issued special use permits were trapping, camping, and disabled hunter access. Other emerging topics that will require more guidance include weddings, drone use, and commercial uses (photography, races, etc.).   

Using information from the Conservation Opinion Survey, area plan public comments, and special use permit study, the Department is exploring changes to policy and regulations to better define and balance public uses of conservation areas.