missouri resourcestime in missouri’s great outdoors. march 1 marks the opening of trout season –...

MissouriResources

Spring 2015 • Volume 32 • Number 2

MissouriResources

State of Missouri, Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon

Department Director Sara Parker Pauley

Deputy Director Todd Sampsell

Director, Division of Administrative Support Lori Gordon

Director, Division of Environmental Quality Leanne Tippett Mosby

Director, Missouri State Parks Bill Bryan

Director, Missouri Geological Survey Joe Gillman

Director, Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority Karen Massey

printed on recycled paper

EditorStuart Westmoreland

Design DirectorBelinda Hughes

PhotographersBen NickelsonAndrew Richmond

Assistant EditorAndrew Richmond

CirculationShannon HuttonLuke Petree

Editorial BoardLarry ArcherAndrea BalkenbushHylan BeydlerRenee BungartSteph DeidrickStuart Westmoreland

MISSOURI RESOURCES is published quarterly by the MissouriDepartment of Natural Resources to inform readers about important natu-ral resource issues and how they are being addressed. Any correspon-dence should be directed to the editor at the Department of NaturalResources, Publications, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, or call 800-361-4827. Email address: [email protected]. MoDNR home page: dnr.mo.gov. To subscribe or unsubscribe online:dnr.mo.gov/magazine/subscription.htm.

MISSOURI RESOURCES is available in alternative formats.

As a recipient of federal funds, the Department of Natural Resources can-not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation or veteran status.

If anyone believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination for anyof these reasons, he or she may file a complaint with either theDepartment of Natural Resources or the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S.Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., 20240.

Missouri Resources is printed with soy ink on recycled paper at Walsworth Publishing Co., Marceline, Mo.

Mission StatementThe mission of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is to protect our air,

land and water; to preserve our unique natural and historic places; and to provide recreational and learning opportunities for everyone.

Spring 2015Volume 32 • Number 2

Additional content available forthis story – go todnr.mo.gov/education.

Theodore Roosevelt once said “Far and awaythe best prize that life has to offer is the chance towork hard at work worth doing.”

I believe we can all agree that protecting ourair, land and water quality is certainly work worthdoing, which is why the Missouri Department ofNatural Resources has been working hard the last40 years to fulfill this mission.

Our health and quality of life are closely tied tothe health and quality of our natural resources.We depend on good quality water for drinking. Wewant to be surrounded by clean and healthy air,lands, rivers and lakes when we spend qualitytime in Missouri’s great outdoors.

March 1 marks the opening of trout season – atradition of welcoming spring by casting a line inone of Missouri’s cold-water streams. The spring-fed, pristine water flowing through each of Mis-souri’s three majestic state trout parks providesthe essential ingredient required for trout to thriveand anglers to enjoy.

Anglers may wet their lines at Roaring River State Parknear Cassville, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanonor Montauk State Park near Salem. Missouri’s trout fish-ing season began March 1 and runs through Oct. 31.

Our state’s outstanding water resources play a criticaland valuable role in providing our families, friends andvisitors with the ability to enjoy numerous outdoor recre-ational opportunities. To ensure our waters are protected,Missouri revised its water quality standards to extendClean Water Act protections to more than 115,000 milesof streams and rivers and 3,080 lakes and reservoirs. Thisis an increase of more than four times the number of Mis-souri waters previously protected.

In this issue of Missouri Resources, you can learn howwater makes our Missouri State Parks even “More Per-

fect,” and how the “Healthy Water” helps support Missouri’svibrant economy and improves the quality of life for all of us.

Each of us shares a common goal of protecting our waterresources – because, they belong to all of us. That’s why it’simportant for everyone to play a part … to understand andprotect our waters … to ensure a positive future. It’s hardwork but we certainly believe it’s work worth doing!

director’s

MissouriResources

Sara Parker PauleyMissouri Department of Natural Resources

Above: Long Branch State Park in Macon County offers ample opportunities for water recreation. DNR photo by Ben Nickelson.Front Cover: The pristine waters of the Current River make Montauk State Park a memorable place to enjoy trout fishing. DNR photo by Ben Nickelson.Back Cover: 2014 Katy Trail Ride cyclists make their way from Hermann to Jefferson City on day two. DNR photo by Mackenzie Manring.

departments18 Explore Missouri 20 DNR News 22 Top Spots 25 … But Not Least

2 More Perfectby Bill BryanThe impact water has on Missouri’s state parks creates vast, diverse and interactive opportunities. We can marvel at it, and in it.

6 Drug Drop Boxby Larry ArcherFlushing unused or old medications down the toilet is an unsafe solution for properly disposing of these wastes.

10 Spring Brings Bison Babies to Prairie State Parkby Megan HopkinsBabies are cute, entertaining and a wondrous sight to behold – even the really hairy ones.

16 The Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geologyby Hylan BeydlerWould you like to visit a place where everyone can indulge their curiosity about geological, environmental and earth science? Learning really can be fun!

MorePerfect

by Bill BryanDirector, Missouri State Parks

2 Missouri Resources

Spring 2015 3

love the outdoors, but I’m first and foremost afly fisherman. Water is integral to our stateparks system. Naturally, as an angler, one of

my favorite quotes from Norman Maclean’s time-less novella, A River Runs Through It, provides agood starting point when one ponders what watermeans to our state parks. Maclean wrote:

Nothing is perfect. As Maclean alluded, al-though something may not be perfect, it can alwaysbe “more perfect.” Meaning, it can be made closerto being perfect.

That’s precisely what water does for our statepark system. The park estate is made more perfectby water. As an element of state parks, water

shapes the landscape inmany ways, makes itmore pleasing to the eyeand provides unmatchedopportunities for out-door fun.

(Opposite page) Guests learn the fundamentals of kayaking at Current River State Park. DNR photo by Ben Nickelson(Above) At Dillard Mill State Historic Site, visitors can learn about water powered gristmills, used to grind grain.

DNR photo by Tom Uhlenbrock

“When I was young, a teacher had forbiddenme to say “more perfect” because she said ifa thing is perfect it can’t be more so.”

I

The impact water has on the landscape isevident all around us. However, in a fewstate parks, visitors can more than scratchthe surface by exploring an undergroundworld made possible by water. There arenearly 190 caves in Missouri state parks.Water has played a principle role in formingevery one of them. Looking at rock from theinside out, we get a better picture of how


Waterscaping the State Parkswater has shaped our earth.

At Onondaga Cave State Park, visitorscan see firsthand how water shapes caveecosystems. The cave is a National NaturalLandmark because of unique features likethe famous Lily Pad Room. In addition tospectacular attractions, naturalists interpretthe cave’s flora and fauna to round out avisitor’s tour with a fuller understanding ofthe importance of clean and abundant water.

For a more adventurous experience, visi-tors to Ozark Caverns at Lake of the OzarksState Park take a guided hike with handheldlanterns. Ozark Caverns includes a very rarefeature called Angel’s Shower, where anamazing shower of water flows from theceiling. Angel’s Shower is the only featurelike it in the world that is accessible to thepublic. One can be mesmerized and con-founded by water flowing through rock tocreate this geologic masterpiece.

The many rock bridges and collapsedcaves in state parks also tell a fascinatingstory about the power of water. The erosiveforce and collapse potential is evident atseveral parks including Rock Bridge Memorial, Grand Gulf and Ha Ha Tonkastate parks.

And water that flows underground even-tually reaches the surface at places like HaD

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(Above) Bennett Spring State Park is one of three state parks where visitors canenjoy trout fishing. DNR photo by Scott Myers

(Below) Visitors can take a guided cave tour at Onondaga State Park.

(Above) Table Rock State Park offers numerous water recreation activities. (Below) Long Branch State Park features trails with scenic views of the lake.

Spring 2015 5

Ha Tonka, Montauk, Bennett Springand Roaring River state parks. Whenit gushes from a spring, water notonly shapes the landscape, it transfix-es the eye.

According to the American Recre-ation Coalition, more than 70 percentof outdoor recreation in Americatakes place on or along a water-way. While reservoirs werebuilt for flood control orwater supply, recreation iswhat rules at state parks onthe shores of major im-poundments around the state.

State parks can be found atTable Rock, Long Branch, MarkTwain, Pomme de Terre, Stockton,Harry S Truman and Wappapellolakes and reservoirs. These stateparks offer great camping, hiking,fishing and other water sports.Whether you’d rather paddle akayak trail at Stockton, rent a pon-toon at Pomme, or try somethingmore adventurous like flyboardingat Table Rock, our state parks offerwater recreation that is right foryou and your family.

Our award-winning state park sys-tem is made more perfect by water. In2015, we will redouble our efforts tomake sure our guests enjoy interest-ing programs about the role waterplays in the landscape, work evenmore tirelessly to protect the specialplaces accented by water, and provideoutstanding opportunities for recre-ation in, on and around the water.

Again, in the timeless words ofNorman Maclean, “… in the end, allthings merge into one, and a riverruns through it.”

Rivers, lakes and streams runthrough and help connect our magnif-icent state parks and historic sites tocomprise one of the nation’s very beststate park systems.

To learn more, visitmostateparks.com, and remem-ber, you are always welcome in Missouri State Parks.

Water is for Recreation

More Perfect State Parks

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by Larry Archer

Officer Tara Ammel of the St. Louis CountyPolice Department details the use of a P2D2drop box at the North County Precinct Office.

DNR photo by Ben Nickelson

Spring 2015 7

Generally, getting more than a tonof drugs off the streets requireslaw enforcement agencies to con-

duct months – or years – of undercoverwork in the field. In St. Louis County,drugs of this quantity are carried throughthe door on an annual basis.

That’s because the St. Louis County Po-lice Department, along with several munici-pal police departments in the county, arepartners in Missouri Prescription Pill andDrug Disposal (P2D2), a program aimed atpromoting the proper disposal of unusedprescription medicines.

Prescription medicines, when no longerneeded and left in bathroom cabinets, pres-ent the potential for abuse, especially byyouth, said Capt. Tim Tanner, St. LouisCounty Police Department.

“We believe, and I think pretty much it’sbeen shown, there is potential for abuse ofthese medications if they’re left lyingaround and there is no outlet to really getrid of these things,” said Tanner. “You seethat with teenagers typically, and we hearabout that quite often. These are the typesof drugs (prescription medicines) that theywill take advantage of and abuse if they are

readily available to them.”The same drugs, when disposed of im-

properly – especially by flushing themdown the toilet or rinsing them down thesink – threaten water quality. This dualthreat prompted action in St. Louis County,said Ann Detmer, external affairs managerfor Missouri American Water.

“There were some articles in the mediaabout the fact that prescription drugs hadbeen detected in the nation’s rivers, andthere were a lot of questions about whatcommunities are doing about this,” Detmer said.

In St. Louis County, the solution came inthe form of drop boxes in local police sta-tions. The first boxes were located in selectSt. Louis County Police Departmentprecinct offices, and later in other munici-pal police stations.

Ten such boxes are now in service in St.Louis County, according to Detmer.

Protecting human health,aquatic life and water quali-ty are benefits of the Mis-souri Prescription Pill andDrug Disposal Program.DNR photo by Andrew Richmond

“The biggest concern with flushing themdown the toilet is that those pharmaceuticals do notget pulled out when they go through the water treatmentplant. So basically, whatever gets flushed down that toiletgoes straight into the rivers.”

– Ken Tomlin, Sourcewater Protection Coordinator, DNR Water Protection Program.


“Oddly enough, the idea that you have a boxin a police station to drop these off came from aguy named Paul Ritter, and he is a high schoolteacher in Pontiac, Ill.,” she said. “We went tohim because it seemed like that program had themost promise, even though it was being imple-mented in a small town.

“Over time we worked out all the issues andwe became the largest program of its type in thenation,” Detmer added. “It was a long process tomake sure that we did it right and that we man-aged it in such a way that we could offer thisservice, and do it in a way that was responsible.”

Operating since 2012, MissouriP2D2 has annually averaged

roughly 14,000 pounds of unneededprescription drugs – drugs that mightotherwise have ended up on the streetsor in our rivers.

The Missouri Department of NaturalResources provided the group with asourcewater protection grant to pay forthe collection boxes and promotionalmaterials, according to Ken Tomlin,who serves as the sourcewater protec-tion coordinator for the department’sWater Protection Program.

At one time, flushing or rinsing med-ications down the toilet or sink was rec-ommended. As these drugs have nowbeen discovered in rivers and streams,the prevailing advice has shifted todrop-off sites, drug drop-off events orsecured disposal, according to Tomlin(see sidebar on page 9).

“The biggest concern with flushingdown the toilet is that those pharmaceu-ticals do not get pulled out when theygo through the water treatment plant,”

“We believe, and I think pretty much it’s been shown, that there is potential for abuse of these medications if they’re left lying around and there is no outlet to really get rid of these things.”

– Capt. Tim Tanner, St. Louis County Police Department

(Right) Sgt. Jim Heldmann with the BallwinPolice Department says their P2D2 boxsees frequent use, especially on week-ends. It often requires emptying three tofour times a week.



Flushing old prescription drugs down the toilet is no longer recom-mended because it harms water quality and aquatic life.

Spring 2015 9

he said. “So basically, whatever getsflushed down that toilet goes straight intothe rivers.”

Flushed pharmaceuticals also can harmthe beneficial bacteria that are respon-

sible for breaking down waste in the septicsystem or wastewater treatment plant, re-ducing the effectiveness of the treatment.

“While the effect of pharmaceutical pol-lution on humans is unknown, it has had animpact on aquatic life,” Tomlin said.

“The problem with that is whatever dif-ferent critters you have out there in the riverreact differently to these things,” he said. “Ithink there are some studies that show pret-ty strongly that there have been impacts tofish, including fish sterilization.”

In Columbia, the Safe Prescription Dis-posal Initiative has combined the drop boxconcept – located at the Columbia PoliceDepartment main office – with biannualdrop-off events in communities throughoutthe county, said Becky Markt, director ofthe Youth Community Coaltion, one of theinitiative partners. Markt explained that al-though they serve a smaller population thanSt. Louis County, the Boone County efforthas been well received.

“They’ve collected nearly a ton here lo-cally and in the surrounding communities,”she said. “That’s a lot of little pills.”

Larry Archer is division information officerfor the department’s Division of Environ-mental Quality.

While locations such as St. Louis County andColumbia have year-round prescription drugdrop-off sites, many communities rely on scheduled special events for the collection ofunused prescription drugs.

When collection sites or events are not locallyavailable, the Department of Natural Resources

offers direction for disposingof prescription drugs throughits agency fact sheet, “Man-agement of Household Phar-maceutical Waste, Sharps and

Thermometers.” The best way to

manage such wasteis to minimize it inthe first place by

taking prescriptionmedications as directed; using all of the medica-tion until it is gone (unless directed otherwise byyour doctor); and only purchasing and using essential pharmaceuticals.

If there are remaining unused and unneededprescription drugs, the fact sheet makes the following recommendations for disposal of prescription pills:

How To Safely Dispose of Prescription Drugs

• Remove from theoriginal containerand put the con-tents into a hardplastic containersuch as a laundry de-tergent bottle. Re-member to mark outpersonal information onthe prescription bottles before placing in the trash.

• Add a small amount of water to dissolve the medicine.

• Add a thickening material such as cat litter,flour, salt, charcoal or coffee grounds. Nontoxic powdered spice such as turmeric ormustard may be added to discourage wildlifeor young children from trying to eat the resulting material.

• Seal the container and place it in the trashjust prior to pick-up.

The complete fact sheet, which is available onthe department’s website at dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2252.htm, also offers similar recommenda-tions for liquid medications and medications inblister packages.


Late May to early June is the best time to visit Prairie State Park to view newborn bison calves.DNR photo by Steph Deidrick

Spring 2015 11

A merican bison are the largest land animals in North America, and one of the few places in Missouri whereguests can watch these fascinating creatures roam the prairie is at Prairie State Park near Mindenmines in west-ern Barton County. Starting in May, a rare opportunity is present as calving season begins and pumpkin-colored

calves appear alongside their mothers. “People like babies, no matter what kind, and bison babies are just like other babies – they are just cute,” said Brian

Miller, natural resource steward with Missouri State Parks.

Spring at Prairie State ParkGuests wanting to catch a glimpse of baby bison should plan a visit to Prairie State Park in late May or early June.

Getting a chance to spot the calves during that time is especially fun for guests as the calves are not only adorable butentertaining to watch.

“They are a pumpkin color, kind of a reddish-orange, when they are first born. They run and bounce around, andthey are just happy,” said Miller.

by Megan Hopkins

Spring Brings“Bison Babies”

at Prairie State Park


A Rare EcosystemMore than 13 million acres of tallgrass prairie

once covered over one-third of Missouri’s land-scape. Today, less than 65,000 acres remain.Prairie State Park is Missouri’s largest remainingtallgrass prairie landscape. Purchased with thehelp of The Nature Conservancy, Prairie StatePark preserves a rare and disappearing diversityof life.The park’s diversity is represented by more

than 150 birds, 25 mammals, 25 reptiles, 12amphibians and approximately 500 species ofplants, 350 being native prairie species. Specif-ic animals, including the southern prairie skinkand several insects, are not found anywhere elsein the state. The reintroduced herd of more than25 elk graze the western portions of the park.To preserve this heritage, park staff conduct

research, monitoring and stewardship practices.Prescribed fires remove accumulated grass matsand increase soil nutrients. The open characterof the prairie is protected with the removal of in-vading trees. Bison and elk have been reintro-duced to join other native grazers to maintain thenatural grazing processes. Where the prairievegetation no longer exists, native plants are sown.

The orange fur serves an important purpose,allowing bison calves to blend in with theprairie grasses. When spotted, their mothers areusually not far.

The calves grow quickly, and begin grazingwithin days of birth. By the time a calf is a yearold, it can weigh as much as 400 pounds, is de-veloping its hump and slowly becoming darkerin color.

The presence of bison at Prairie State Parkstarted in 1982 when nine bison were brought tothe park. Today, the herd is maintained at about100 head.

Bison Hikes Offered Each MonthAccording to Miller, the best opportunity to

see young bison is on one of the monthly guidedbison hikes.

The guided hikes include information aboutthe bison and the prairie ecosystem, as well as

Bison calves grow quickly and begin to darken incolor during their second year.DNR photo by Tom Uhlenbrock

Spring 2015 13

(Top) The Path of the SkyPeople Trail at Prairie StatePark is an excellent place toview bison. (Above) Bison are bestviewed at a safe distance ofat least 100 yards.DNR photos by Scott Myers (top and above)

instruction on how to best safely observethe bison. The hikes are also a great time tosee wildflowers blooming in the park, espe-cially in the month of June.

Hikers should be prepared for a two-milehike over uneven terrain. Bringing water,snacks, insect repellent, a hat and sun-screen, and wearing sturdy shoes is recom-mended. Binoculars are useful in looking atbison and other wildlife that inhabit theprairie. Participants should dress for theweather as prairie winds can be strong.

Generally, the hikes are held on the firstSaturday of each month, but visitmostateparks.com/events or contact PrairieState Park at 417-843-6711 to find out thespecific dates and times of the bison hikes.

Six hiking trails offer the opportunity toexplore the prairie at any time and offer thepotential to spot the bison herd. Guests canstop by the park’s nature center before hit-ting the trails to find where they are mostlikely to spot the bison.

Stay Safe on the TrailsPrairie State Park has a multitude of op-

portunities to experience the sights, sounds

and wildlife of the tallgrass prairie, but italso requires park guests to follow certainsafety precautions.

An important tip for safely viewing thebison is to stay at least 100 yards away.

“As you are near the bison, pay attentionto their behavior. They will let you know ifyou are getting too close,” said Miller. “Ifthe bison raises its head and appears to bewatching you closely, you may have gottentoo close. And if it starts to raise its tail, it


is getting even more anxious. The higherthe tail, the more anxious the animal.”

For the safety of pets and guests, no petsare allowed on the trails. Visitors are wel-come to bring their pets to the park’s camp-ground and picnic area, but must follow thepark system’s pet rules.

Experience the PrairieGuests planning a visit to Prairie State

Park are in for a great experience any timeof year. From prairie grasses and wildflow-ers to majestic bison and elk, there is some-thing for everyone.

The Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Cen-ter also is a great stop to learn more aboutthe prairie ecosystem. The center includeslots of hands-on activities for children. Thenature center also features a diorama de-picting the prairie from spring to fall, aswell as a bison exhibit.

The park has more than 25 rare and en-dangered plants and animals, many notfound elsewhere in Missouri. There are ap-proximately 500 species of plants and 150species of birds, including northern harri-

(Above) As you encounter a bison, watch for changes in their behavior –

these signs may indicate you are too close. DNR photo by Scott Myers

(Below) Bison calves stay close to their mothers when young, and their

orange-colored fur helps hide them in tall prairie grass.

DNR photo by Tom Uhlenbrock

ers, horned larks, Mississippi kites and asmall population of greater prairie chickens,known as “boomers.”

Prairie State Park also includes a picnicarea and a small campground for those whowant to spend the night under the stars.

For more information about Prairie State

Park, or any other state park or historic site,visit mostateparks.com. Missouri StateParks is a division of the Missouri Depart-ment of Natural Resources.

Megan Hopkins was a summer intern withMissouri State Parks.

The Regal Tallgrass Prairie

Nature Center features a

diorama depicting the

prairie and the animals you

would encounter at the park.

Spring 2015 15

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The bison herd grazes as the sun sets at Prairie State Park. DNR photo by Scott Myers


hether you’re an educator,have kids or are an adultwho likes cool rocks, di-

nosaurs, mastodons or maps, you willwant to visit the Ed Clark Museum ofMissouri Geology,” said Jeanie Strain,instructional technology specialist,Rolla Middle School. Named for Edward L. Clark, State

Geologist from 1944 to 1955, the mu-seum aims to inspire curiosity througheducation by providing visitors an op-portunity to examine geologic speci-mens and explore the geologicprocesses responsible for rocks, min-erals, rivers and distinctive beauty andgeologic history of Missouri. Strain, who until last year was a

science teacher at the school, part-nered with the department’s MissouriGeological Survey for 10 years bring-ing approximately 325 fifth-grade stu-dents to the museum each year. De-partment staff help educate studentsduring their end-of-school field tripknown as “Rolla School Days.”

The

Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology

A Missouri Treasure

story and photographs by Hylan Beydler

(Top) Two members of Waynesville CubScout Pack 202 compare personal cal-cite samples to a huge specimen at theEd Clark Museum of Missouri Geology. (Above left) Students ponder the Grun-del Mastodon tusk and bones – a majorfind from Holt County.(Above right) MGS geologist Edie Star-buck helps interpret a fossiliferous rockwith third- and fourth-grade studentsfrom Mark Twain Elementary School’sAfter School Science Club.

“W

Spring 2015 17

The focal point for the day is the museum and a timewhen students learn about geology, groundwater andenvironmental protection, and careers in earth science.During the students’ half-day visit, staff members bringearth science to life by sharing their expertise throughthe use of short videos, hands-on activities and mini-courses geared to supplement classroom curriculum. Strain said the middle school years are when stu-

dents explore their interests. “Each year, we exposethem to lots of different things. Students also learnabout the importance of our state’s natural resourcesand ways to protect them,” Strain said. “Many of the sessions are tied to our grade-level ex-

pectations. Students see and have real-life experiencesthat tie to our curriculum,” Strain said. “Then we applywhat they saw and learned to what we are studying inthe classroom.”Strain and her colleagues appreciate the way staff

coordinate and present information. Engaged studentscan better learn and plan for their future. “Kids always talk about how fun the museum was

and are surprised they actually get to touch things,”said Rolla Middle School science teacher Bobbie Shel-ton. “They really enjoy seeing the Grundel Mastodontusk. Visuals such as the demonstration using an appleto represent the earth and the small amount of the earththat is representative of usable water are things they re-member – and take back with them.”“We truly appreciate the opportunity

DNR provides our students,” saidStrain. “I sure will miss helping coordi-nate Rolla School Days and the wonder-ful staff who provide this exceptionalexperience for our students.”

School-age children, college stu-dents, children of all ages, military

groups, scholars, local residents andtravelers from around the world visitthe museum. A note placed in the muse-um comment box by Amber Redmon, asixth-grade student in Mrs. AmberHockersmith’s class in St. James read,“I like your museum. It helped me bemore interested in science in my town.”Enrica Veneri, an exchange studentfrom Parma, Italy, who attended RollaHigh School wrote, “I enjoyed the mu-seum. My dad and I look for fossils athome. I am so glad I found fossils in themuseum’s rock pile that I can take hometo Italy!” Among the museum collections are awards won by

the Missouri Geological Survey at various World’sFairs, historic and current geologic maps, and tools ofthe trade. It also features information and displaysabout earthquakes, caves, oil, gas, mining and more.The museum is located at the department’s Missouri

Geological Survey, 111 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla. Self-guided tours are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.weekdays. Admission is free. Learn more atdnr.mo.gov/geology/edclarkmuseum.htm.

Hylan Beydler is division information officer for theMissouri Geological Survey, a division of the MissouriDepartment of Natural Resources.

(Above) Airin Haselwander, an MGS geologist, addresses Rolla fifth-grade students during Rolla School Days.(Below) MGS geologist Peter Bachle explains methods for identify-ing rocks and minerals.


explore

Explore History ThroughHistoric Site Gardens

Vegetables, flowers and herbs are on display in gardensthroughout spring and summer, but guests to several

Missouri state historic sites can experience history while alsoadmiring the plants in bloom. Gardens at three historic sitesprovide another facet to information available about the past. Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site, Lawson

In the mid-1980s, staff at Watkins Woolen Mill StateHistoric Site established a garden on the property as part ofthe site’s living history farm program. The site preservesand interprets many of the buildings of the Watkins fami-lies’ 19th-century farm and mill operations. The heirloomgarden focuses on several 19th-century varieties of vegeta-bles and flowers.

“Visitors are welcome to walk through the garden year-round, but during the summer, when the living history pro-gram is active on weekends, visitors may see and speakwith interpreters working in the garden,” said MichaelBeckett, site manager.

The layout of the heirloom garden is based, in part, onan illustration from the 1877 Atlas of Clay County, Mo.The illustration shows raised beds in the garden of a localfarm, which is exactly what guests will find when explor-ing the garden.

“Gardens of the mid to late 19th-century period couldhave included raised rectangular beds, which were separat-ed by walkways, along with larger plots and borders,” saidBeckett. “The garden borders usually contained a mixtureof herbs, flowers and small fruits.”

Along with the flowers and herbs being grown in thegarden, guests will find an array of heirloom vegetablesthat were common in the 19th century, specifically varietiesfrom the 1840s-1880s. Deutschheim State Historic Site, Hermann

At Deutschheim State Historic Site, visitors can stepback into German-American history. Hermann was an earlyMissouri settlement established in 1837. Guests at the site

The heirloom garden at Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site contains flowers,herbs and vegetables that were common during the 19th century.

by Steph Deidrick

DNR photo by Michael Beckett

Spring 2015 19

can experience restored 1840s and1850s buildings, and gardens on theproperty showcase the Old World withthe gardening traditions of the time.

The traditional gemüsegarten of theperiod tended to be more focused onpracticality rather than ornamentation,though flowers were typically inter-mixed right along with the cabbage,root vegetables, herbs and tomatoes.

The site’s garden showcases heir-loom plants in the traditional squareplats, subdivided into equal sections.It’s a technique that can still be foundin Germany today.

“Our garden is really quite uniqueand many people no longer know offour-square gardening,” said CindyBrowne, site administrator. “Ofcourse, our German visitors do.”

Deutschheim will host a specialgarden event June 6-7, held in con-junction with the Hermann GardenClub’s annual garden tour. Guestshave the opportunity to learn about19th-century gardening techniques, heir-loom plants and their uses during theearly Missouri settlement period.

explore

Felix Valle House State Historic Site, Ste. GenevieveAt Felix Valle House State Historic Site, the garden traces back to the Rozier

family, who donated the house to Missouri State Parks in 1970. Through theyears, staff have worked to convert the garden into an interpretive tool that ex-hibits the medicinal plants and herbs common in the 1830-40s. This is a goodmatch for the house, which is furnished in the style of the 1830s. The site in-cludes a host of artifacts that illustrate the American influence on the Frenchcommunity of Ste. Genevieve.

“There is nothing in the garden that could not have been there during the pe-riod we interpret,” said Donna Rausch, site administrator.

The fenced gardens at the site offer a glimpse of a time when Missouri waspart of a vast colonial empire in North America held by France and Spain. Dur-ing a tour of the site, guests will hear about the foods commonly eaten by thehistorical residents of the home. In the garden, they can actually see how someof these vegetables and herbs were cultivated.

Each year, the house is part of the area’s Master Gardener’s Garden Walk.Guests can experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the garden with mint tea,lavender and lemon verbena cookies and a cold herbal soup, all using plantsfrom the site’s garden. Recipes are available for participants who want to recre-ate the tasty treats in their own homes.

For more information on these historic sites or to view upcoming events,visit mostateparks.com.

Steph Deidrick is division information officer for Missouri State Parks, a divi-sion of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

(Above) The garden at Deutschheim State Historic Site is laid out in the traditionalGerman four-square method.(Below left) An interpreter in period dress works in the garden at Felix Valle HouseState Historic Site in Ste. Genevieve.


DNR photo by Donna Rausch


dnrRozier Gallery Features“Oil & Clay” Exhibit

The Missouri State Mu-seum presents the work ofartists Naomi S. Lear andBo Bedillion in the exhibi-tion, “Oil & Clay,” at theElizabeth Rozier Gallery inJefferson City.

“Oil & Clay” begins the2015 exhibition season at the RozierGallery. This particular exhibit is a jointshowing of work, featuring pottery byBo Bedillion and oil paintings byNaomi Sugino Lear. Both artists haveexhibited work in mid-Missouri andnationally, and both are faculty at Co-lumbia College. The exhibit will runthrough Saturday, April 25.

The Elizabeth Rozier Gallery is lo-cated inside the Union Hotel at Jeffer-son Landing State Historic Site, 101Jefferson St. in Jefferson City. Thegallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,Tuesday through Saturday. Jefferson

Landing State Historic Site is operatedby Missouri State Parks.

Mine Shaft ResponseEarns National Award

The Department of Natural Re-sources has been recognized for itsquick response to a January 2013mine shaft collapse that threatenedtwo Springfield homes.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface MiningReclamation and Enforcement award-ed the department the 2014 Aban-doned Mine Land Reclamation Award-Small Project Award for its responseto the subsidence of soil into the BigBen mine shaft. The subsidencethreatened the foundations of twohomes located near the opening.

The department dispatched envi-ronmental engineer Brent Willeford,environmental specialists MikeMueller and Greg Snellen, and geolo-gist Neil Elfrink to the site to assess

The Cook Bros. Carriage Co. was created in1897 when Missouri Bootheel natives Julius J.Cook, his brother Oscar H. Cook and two others,used the latest ideas about manufacturing to cre-ate a successful carriage business. Julius was28 years old at the time. They began manufactur-ing spring wagons, buggies, road wagons, sur-reys and skeleton and phaeton carts in theirfour-story facility on N. Broadway Street in St.Louis. Work crews were assigned specific manu-facturing tasks before the final product was builton an assembly line. The company had patentson special features, such as adjustable sun andstorm hoods found in their 1899 catalog, andeven offered a one-year guarantee. Replace-ments or repairs of wheels, springs and axles were made if they broke due to defective materials.

Shortly after Julius’s death in 1903, Oscar and his sister-in-law, Sarah Stampfer Cook, continued to produce carriages,buggies, and even motor vehicles. This photo, titled “Five Workers in Cook Bros. Carriage Co. Workshop,” features a well-dressed man in a bowler hat and four workers tasked with assembling and adding the horse shafts to the carriage. Theimage is part of a St. Louis Jewish Community Archives collection of deeds, catalogs, biographical information and albu-men photographs. The collection depicts the crews and assembly line process of the Cook Bros. Carriage Co. and compa-ny founder Julius J. Cook. The collection is housed within the Saul Brodsky Library in St. Louis.

Send your photo to “Time Exposures,” c/o Missouri Resources, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. Original photos will be returned viainsured mail. Pre-1980 environmental and natural resource photos from Missouri will be considered. Please try to include the date and location ofthe picture, a brief description and any related historic details that may be of interest to our readers.

Time Exposures

MissouriDNR PhotoContest Returns

Amateur photographers of all agesmay enter the MissouriDNR PhotoContest to help showcase Missouri’srich natural and cultural resources.Winning photographs will be featuredin the winter 2016 issue of MissouriResources. The contest is divided intothree categories:

Natural Resources: this categoryincludes photographs of Missouri’sair, landscapes and waterways.

Unique Places: submit your photo-graphs taken within one of Missouri’s87 state parks and historic sites.

People Enjoying Missouri’s Water-ways: this category includes photo-graphs of people enjoying Missouri’srivers, lakes and streams.

The contest runs March 1 throughAug. 1, 2015. Additional details re-garding the contest are available onthe department’s website atdnr.mo.gov/photocontest. Good luck!

Spring 2015 21

For news releases on the Web, visitdnr.mo.gov/newsrel.

For a complete listing of the department’supcoming meetings, hearings and events, visitthe department’s online calendar atdnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

Looking for a job in natural resources?Go to dnr.mo.gov/hr.

dnrthe situation. Staff oversaw the stabi-lization of the two homes’ foundationsand the proper closing of the shaft.OSMRE presented the award at the

annual conference of the National As-sociation of Abandoned Mine LandPrograms in Columbus, Ohio, in Sep-tember 2014. The project was among those fea-

tured in OSMRE’s award video thatcan be found at osmre.gov/programs/awards/AMLAwards.shtm. To readmore about the mine collapse, visitdnr.mo.gov/magazine/docs/mr-winter-15.pdf#page=10.

Trout Season Under Way

A springtimeritual – the open-ing of trout fish-ing season – officially began March 1at 6:30 a.m. at Bennett Spring StatePark near Lebanon, Montauk StatePark near Salem, and Roaring RiverState Park near Cassville. Opening day of trout season is an

important Missouri tradition, markingthe beginning of a season that runsuntil Oct. 31. In addition to premiertrout fishing, visitors to the state’strout parks can enjoy miles of hikingtrails, lodging and camping optionsand on-site dining facilities. Trout season in Missouri is a coop-

erative effort of Missouri State Parks,which manages state parks, and theMissouri Department of Conservation,which operates the hatcheries andstocks the streams with trout.

New Data in GeoSTRAT

Users of the Department of NaturalResources’ GeoSTRAT tool will bepleased to know 17 new layers of datawere added early this year. Layers in-clude the following: computer-gener-ated calculations relating to earth-quakes in areas within close proximityto mines and sinkholes; soil liquefac-tion and landslide potential in the

event of an earthquake; temperatureof rock formations in nine geologicformations in the state; locations ofpermitted oil and gas wells that arenot protected under confidentialityrules; locations of regulated and non-regulated dams in Missouri; bound-aries of Abandoned Mine Land proj-ects in the state; names, locations andadditional data for active IndustrialMineral Mines that are permitted tooperate in Missouri; and Metallic Min-eral Waste Management Areas thatare permitted to operate in the state. GeoSTRAT is a Web-based tool,

built using Google Earth and ESRI GISmapping technology. The ability to

overlay existing data on an aerialimage in GeoSTRAT is made possibleby data provided by the U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture’s National Agricul-ture Imagery Program. To read more about and access

GeoSTRAT, visit dnr.mo.gov/geology/geostrat.htm.

When you think of a typical watershed, you tend to think of water on the surfacesuch as rivers, streams and lakes. Folks in Perry County know that protecting theirwatershed means going underground. Perry County has more than 675 caves, themost in the state, and has the longest cave, Crevice Cave, at 28 miles in length.Perry County is also home to the grotto sculpin, a small, cave-dwelling fish foundonly in that county. The species was recently listed as endangered.

In a karst area such asPerry County, surface watercan quickly enter the cavesystem through hundredsof sinkholes with little or nofiltration, making theseareas highly susceptible tonon-point source pollution.Local citizens and leadersunderstand this area is rareand have brought in a widerange of partners to createthe Perry County KarstCommittee to draft acomprehensive water-shed plan. The plan willprotect the cave systemthrough education and the integration of current and new environmental steward-ship practices. The committee’s goal is to protect and preserve the unique environ-mental features while allowing for sustainable growth and development.

Perry County’s watershed protection is a greatexample of local folks taking a leading role in pro-tecting all of our Missouri waters.

Our Missouri WatersGoing Underground

Sunlight illuminates the entrance to Perry County’sCrevice Cave – the longest cave in Missouri.

Paul Hauck photo


A trip to a state park brings plenty of opportunities to enjoy andexplore the outdoors, but in Graham Cave, Washington and

Thousand Hills state parks, guests also can learn about some of thestate’s earliest inhabitants.

Some of the state’s earliest human history can be found at Gra-ham Cave State Park. Graham Cave has a broad entrance measuring120 feet wide and 16 feet high, making it a perfect shelter for an-cient people. Excavations using radiocarbon dating determined thatartifacts found in the lowest level of the cave went back nearly10,000 years.

In comparison, the ancient rock carvings on display at ThousandHills State Park may seem more recent, but archaeologists believethe area that is now the park dates back 1,500 years. Petroglyphs ofcrosses, arrows, snakes, thunderbirds and other animals, whichwere made by chipping and rubbing into the sandstone rock, can befound at the petroglyph site at the park.

The largest group of petroglyphs discovered in Missouri can befound at Washington State Park, which was once the location ofprehistoric ceremonies associated with Mississippian Indian cul-ture. The rock carvings remain as evidence of their beliefs, andgive clues to understanding the lives of these people who are be-lieved to have inhabited the area around A.D. 1,000.

Want to learn more about Missouri’s earliest inhabitants? Othergreat trips include visits to Osage Village State Historic Site, whichwas once the location of an Osage Indian village; Iliniwek VillageState Historic Site, the site of the only Illinois Indian village sitefound in Missouri; and Towosaghy State Historic Site, which wasthe site of a village and civil-ceremonial center for the Mississippi-an people.

topspots

(Top center) Because of the quantity and quality of the petroglyphs atWashington State Park, the sites were placed on the National Registerof Historic Places. DNR photo by Scott Myers

(Above right) During Archeology Day at Graham Cave State Park, visi-tors have the opportunity to view ancient artifacts. DNR photo by Ben Nickelson

(Right) Visitors to Thousand Hills State Park can view the petroglyphsfrom a raised observation area. DNR photo by Scott Myers

A t 13.5 miles, the Trail of FourWinds is the longest trail in

Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Thetrail travels through almost everytype of natural community at thepark. This diversity provides stun-ning views of the lake, rock outcrops,breathtaking overlooks, seasonalstreams, ponds and woodlands. De-pending on the time of the year andthe location, encounters with Coop-er’s hawks, white-tailed deer andfence lizards are not uncommon.Equestrian use, mountain biking andhiking are permitted on the trail.

The trail is divided into two sec-tions with a north loop and a southloop; two connectorsare available to makeyour hike longer orshorter. White connec-tor 2 on the south loopis approximately 2.25miles long. White Con-nector 3 on the NorthLoop is approximately.6 mile long. In addi-tion there is a .3-milespur on the south loopthat leads to a breath-taking scenic overlook.

Having a trail mapor topographic map isstrongly suggested be-fore using this trail.

Spring 2015 23

trailshighlight

Trail of

(Above) The Trail of FourWinds meanders throughdense woodlands at Lakeof the Ozarks State Park.(Left) In addition to moun-tain biking and hiking,horseback riding is a popu-lar use of the trail.

FourWindsa t L a ke o fthe OzarksSt ate Park

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RockMatters

Sand is not just for beaches. It iswidely used in construction, in

horticulture, for water filtration and formany other purposes. Sand has beenused on a local basis since beforeMissouri became a U.S. state and itcontinues to be used to enrich themodern way of life.

Sand and gravel (the two commodi-ties are regularly tabulated together)used for construction purposes is anindicator of the overall health of theconstruction industry and an indicatorof the state’s overall economy. During the constructionboon of the mid 2000s, Missouri produced nearly 17million short tons of construction sand and gravel duringthe year 2006 – a record. In 2010, Missouri producednearly 12 million short tons of construction sand andgravel valued at more than $73 million.

Construction sand is primarily used for concrete aggre-gate, mortar, plastering, bricklaying, stone masonry,roofing gravel and paving. Economic deposits of con-struction sand and gravel mostly occur in the channelsand floodplains of rivers and streams. Major producingbasins in the state include the Missouri, Mississippi andMeramec rivers. Currently, 58 of 114 Missouri countiesare active producers of construction sand and gravel.

Sand used for industrial purposes has been produced inMissouri for over 140 years. More than 65 million short

tons of industrial sand, havingan estimated present value of$2 billion, have been minedin Missouri from the 1870s topresent. Most industrial sandin Missouri comes from theSt. Peter Sandstone, a sand-stone deposit that is continu-ously present in the subsur-face in the northern half andsoutheastern edge of thestate. It occurs at the surfacein a narrow band that beginsin western Montgomery

County and runs southeastward along the Missouri Riverto just west of St. Louis. There, it continues south justwest of the Mississippi River through Scott County. Thissandstone has been used for glass manufacturing, pol-ishing and grinding compounds, stone sawing and asblasting sand. It currently is being employed to enhanceoil and gas extraction to increase the yield from wells.

A world without sand would be vastly different indeed.Sand filters exhaust particulates, it is an anti-cakingagent in table salt, and is used in catalytic converters,white ware, earthenware, chinaware, glazed wall tile andsandpaper. Bricks made of clay mixed with sand areharder and bear greater weight than bricks made only ofclay. Sand also is used for landscaping and many otherpurposes. Learn more about Missouri sand and otherindustrial minerals at dnr.mo.gov/geology/geosrv/imac/indminerals.htm.

Sand Sand is one of the most common materials on the earth’s surface.Created by the weathering and breakdown of rocks into smallerparticles of 0.1 to 2 mm in size, sand is composed of the mineralquartz, but other rock and mineral compositions are possible.

(Left) Sandstone / DNR photo by Mark Gordon(Below) Chris Vierrether, DNR geologist, researches an interesting sandstone

formation near the town of Gasconade. DNR photo by Mike Siemens

Did you know that the characteristic earthy smell of rain after a dry spell has a name? Petrichor(PET-rye-core) is a term that was coined by Australian researchers I.J. Bear and R.G. Thomas.Their research article titled, “Nature of Argillaceous Odour,” was published in the March 1964issue of Nature and describes how the smell originates from oil excreted by certain plants dur-ing dry periods. The oil is absorbed by clay-based soils and rocks along with another com-pound called geosmin, which is a metabolic by-product of certain Actinobacteria found in soil.The combination of the oils from the plants and geosmin create the distinctive scent calledPetrichor.

In January 2015, researchers Cullen R. Buie and Youngsoo Joungused high-speed cameras to determine that when rain droplets hita porous surface such as sandy soil, tiny droplets that carry parti-cles dispersed in a gas are released into the air. These releaseddroplets are known as aerosols. The porosity of the soil and thespeed of the water droplets determine how much is released, withlight rain releasing more than a fast, heavy downpour. It is believedthese aerosol droplets are what carry the aromatic elements intothe air. This phenomenon also could explain how certain bacteriaand viruses stored in soil become airborne and spread.

Smells Like Rain

did youknow

our cities, towns and other industriesthat employ Missourians. Healthywater resources also play a crucialrole in supporting hunting, fishing,boating and other outdoor recreation,which comprise part of a $12 billionoutdoor economy fueled by Mis-souri’s natural resources.

Missourians have a long, rich his-tory of supporting conservation ef-forts and protecting our water re-sources. From Ozark springs andstreams to our great rivers, we under-stand the connection between protect-ing our Missouri waters and protect-ing our Missouri way of life. Newstresses to our water resources are aconstant threat. Increasing develop-ment from sprawling urban and subur-ban centers, energy developmentneeds, increased mining, the need forincreased agricultural production to

Spring 2015 25

… butnot least

by Todd SampsellDeputy Department Director

Missouri is blessed with anabundance of water resources.

Our rivers, springs, lakes and streamshelped shape the history of our state andour country. Settlers from the eastestablished St. Louis at the confluenceof our mightiest rivers, the Missouri andMississippi. From there, explorers andhomesteaders spilled out into everycorner of Missouri, and continuedwestward along our nation’s waterways.

Today, Missouri’s water resourcessupport a vibrant economy and ourcitizens’ health and lifestyles. Thequality of our water is directly linkedto our activities on the land.

Missouri’s rivers, streams andlakes, along with undergroundaquifers, supply its 6 million residentswith clean water to drink. Those samewater resources support the state’s $9billion agricultural industry, as well as

Healthy Water

feed a growing human population anda changing climate all threaten ourwater resources if we lack citizen en-gagement and proper planning.

The Department of Natural Re-sources will work cooperatively withall Missourians to protect our lands,improve our communities and ensureclean, abundant water for all genera-tions. We will use key initiatives towork with farmers, landowners, ruralcommunities and urban centers, smallbusinesses to large industries, resi-dents and partner organizations toprotect our soil and waters, put proj-ects on the ground today and plan forthe future of our water resources.

Please join us by lending yourvoice to the planning and protectionof Missouri’s vast and pre-cious water resources, visitdnr.mo.gov/omwi.htm.

Kansas City, Mo. provides a backdrop to the Missouri River at sunset. DNR photo by Scott Myers

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCESPO Box 176Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176

Nonprofit Org.US POSTAGE PAID

MO Dept. ofNatural

Resources

2015 Katy Trail RideThe 15th annual Katy Trail Ride, June 22-26,

allows bicyclists to experience Katy Trail State Parkfrom Clinton to St. Charles. The scenic five-dayride on the nation’s longest developed rail trail

is sponsored by Missouri State Parks andMissouri State Parks Foundation.

For more information, visit katytrailstatepark.com.

missouri resourcestime in missouri’s great outdoors. march 1 marks the opening of trout season –...

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