The Year 2024 in Review

Latest News, Management News, Related Publications,

Hello From Prairie Fork Conservation Area!

Its good to be back bringing you the news and updates that have occurred in 2024!! We have had some changes at the area but we always strive to keep you as up to date as we can on happenings at the site.

Marissa Forbis Has Returned!

Marissa Forbis has returned to PFCA as our Interim Outreach and Education Coordinator. Some of you may remember her as an education assistant from a couple of years ago. She has generously agreed to fill in as we transition through the process of having the position vacant. She is very knowledgeable about the area and will be your resource to answer any and all questions regarding education activities associated with PFCA. You can reach Marissa at marissa.forbis@missouri.edu or (573)254-3990. For any other questions regarding PFCA you can contact MDC Area Manager Jeff Demand at jeff.demand@mdc.mo.gov or MU Program Director Eric Kurzejeski at kurzejeskie@missouri.edu

Management News so Far this year

Prescribed burns – MPF Southeast 110 acres and South Tree Research plots 51 acres Woodland invasive species control of autumn olive and bush honeysuckle 21 acres. The biggest news is that Northern Crawfish Frogs were found on the area by Judy McKinnon.

We Extend a Very Warm Welcome to Dr. Kristin Gibson

In August Dr. Kristin Gibson joined the faculty in the School of Natural Resources (SNR) as the Assistant Professor of Conservation/Environmental Education.

She holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Previously, she worked as a Teaching Assistant for the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research administered through Fulbright Austria (2018-2019). She also served as an AmeriCorps Member for the North Carolina Coastal Federation (2017-2018) and worked in several seasonal environmental education positions.

Gibson is a social scientist and her research focuses on how people interact with the environment. Specifically, she explores the most effective methods for educating and communicating with the public about environmental issues. Her graduate studies investigated communication strategies surrounding single-use bottled water in the context of national parks. She is currently evaluating environmental education programs in Missouri to improve their outcomes and effectiveness.

All of us at Prairie Fork Conservation Area look forward to her association with the educational activities and programs offered at the area. Trustees Eric Kurzejeski, MU, and John George, MDC, will begin discussions with her about current efforts and future opportunities for students and guests.

Signs, Signs Everywhere There’s Signs

If you visit the site, you will be welcomed by new signage (photos courtesy of Jeff Demand) that is more user-friendly in guiding you to the appropriate area for your group, class, or project. Jeff Demand has been working diligently to provide directions to get you to the right place. Some of the new signs you will see:

Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems – Collaboration

Prairie Fork staff are excited to begin a collaborative effort with the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands, and Aquatic Systems (IFWAS). The Morris Institute is a partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, and the MU College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources and its School of Natural Resources. PFCA is excited to offer our resources and opportunities to help bring a world-class training and research center in fisheries, wetlands, and aquatic systems.

To learn more about the institute, go to: fwas.missouri.edu

Education Events

We have had several public and homeschool groups visit over the course of the fall, along with the usual Edward Jones group visits. In October, we also hosted a Pond to Plate event (photos below courtesy of Marissa Forbis) in collaboration with MDC Education Staff (Ethan Regan). The event had a great turnout, and we believe it would be well worth hosting again in the future!