Pollinators and other beneficial insects play an important role in the agricultural world, especially in terms of economic value for growers. A study conducted by Cornell University showed that crops pollinated by those beneficial insects contributed $29 billion to farm income in 2010. Unfortunately, several of those insects are facing population declines due to a variety of factors. A team…
Missouri Department of Conservation ⋅ Page 1
Managing Natural Resources
FSRC field day focuses on a variety of topics
With a focus on natural resources, the Forage Systems Research Center dived into a variety of timely agricultural topics during its annual field day on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Forages, sunn hemp, pond management and timber stand improvement were among the many talks during the event. Along with local producers, several high school students from area schools were in attendance. “Our…
Conserving Futures
Executive-in-Residence helps students see unconventional paths to careers
Sara Parker Pauley believes “we are all in this together.” Although she was referring to conservation of our natural resources, it’s also the way she feels about giving back to students in related fields from her position as the current director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and recently selected director of the Missouri Department of Conservation. She will take…
A Burning Question
Crafting a tool to inform fire management
Prescribed fire is growing in popularity as a tool for forest management, but the benefit/cost ratio is hotly contested among natural resource managers. Joe Marschall, research specialist at the Missouri Tree Ring Laboratory, created a tool to quickly and accurately evaluate fire’s effects on timber quality in Missouri’s oak forests.
Saving the Bats
A natural resources student gets caught up in a deadly bat disease that has come to Missouri
Kathryn Womack’s graduate studies at the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources into the habitats of bats is quickly going from an academic pursuit to one that may play a role in saving the nocturnal creatures from an epidemic.